Your working playlist is ideal. You’ve hit an excellent stride. You’re on tempo to beat your report time.
Then, all of a sudden, your pores and skin begins to really feel itchy and tingly, sort of such as you handed by means of a poison ivy patch. What causes this “runner’s itch” — and must you be involved?
Right here’s what it’s good to know.
What Is Runner’s Itch?
Runner’s itch is an irritation of the pores and skin that may floor throughout strenuous train. The itch can happen wherever in your physique, together with your abdomen and arms, however it’s commonest on the legs.
Thankfully, it’s not normally a priority, particularly if it goes away quickly after you cease working. If the itchiness doesn’t subside — or it’s accompanied by signs like hives or dizziness — discuss to your physician.
What Causes Runner’s Itch?
Listed below are two of the most typical the explanation why you may be itchy.
Nerves
One frequent explanation for runner’s itch is elevated blood circulate. This happens most with people who find themselves new to working or haven’t run shortly.
The depth of the exercise boosts your coronary heart price, which results in expanded arteries and capillaries, in addition to extra blood circulate to the muscle groups.
When that occurs, nerve cells all through the physique can change into stimulated. So what you’re feeling shouldn’t be technically an itch however reasonably fired-up nerves.
Allergy symptoms
One other doable trigger — particularly if the itchy space is roofed by your clothes — is a gentle allergic response to a product you’re utilizing, corresponding to laundry detergent or cleaning soap.
Fragrances amongst these merchandise are typically one of many high culprits for contact dermatitis, which is an itch brought on by contact with an allergen, says Lily Adelzadeh, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in California.
As you sweat, your pores open up extra, which may make you extra more likely to have a response.
Some individuals may expertise exercise-induced urticaria, a situation which causes allergic signs like hives or swelling throughout or after bodily exercise.
In case you suppose this may be your situation, your physician may help you establish potential triggers and management your signs.
How Do You Forestall Runner’s Itch?
- Working on a daily schedule may help, because the situation tends to be much less problematic as your physique — and your nervous system — will get used to working, says Adelzadeh.
- Heat up earlier than working, since that helps with blood circulate.
- Switching to fragrance-free detergent and dryer sheets in your working gear may help as nicely, Adelzadeh provides.
- Carrying moisture-wicking garments may help reduce sweating, and compression socks may help with blood circulate.
Can You Cease Runner’s Itch?
Prevention steps are useful, however what are you able to do within the second for that tremendous itchy sensation?
Adelzadeh suggests rubbing your legs as an alternative of scratching, since scraping the pores and skin could make it extra irritated.
You may additionally need to attempt carrying a small bottle or baggie of unscented moisturizer with you, as a result of dry pores and skin can exacerbate the difficulty.
If doable, maintain working. Getting your full exercise will make it easier to modify sooner and go away runner’s itch behind.
But when your signs are extreme or they don’t subside, discuss to your physician about doable remedy choices.
