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Itchy, burning & tingling legs...
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An_245869 posted:
Good evening. I just started back working out again this past week. I went power walking/running with my boys. My legs were fine while walking. But when I started running it started to itch, burn and tingle during and shortly after running. What is that and how do I make it stop? Someone please help!!!!
1 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Itchy, burning & tingling legs...Good evening. I just started back working out again this past week. I went power walking/running with my boys. My legs were fine while walking. But when I started running it started to itch, burn and tingle during and shortly after running. What is that and how do I make it stop? Someone please help!!!!
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Rich Weil, MEd, CDE responded:
Hi An,

You're most likely experiencing an allergic-like reaction during exercise. During exercise, histamines are released and some people are sensitive to them. People sensitive to histamines can experience rashes, itching, and other allergic symptoms during exercise. Most of the time the rashes appear on the chest and thighs, but can be on the arms or neck too. Sometimes exercise also reacts with food allergies or medications (e.g., antibiotics, pain medications, sedatives, tranquilizers, and diuretics) to cause the problem. And sometimes the reaction is to a new clothing detergent or maybe a new soap or lotion. If the problem is bothering you so much that you can't stand it, and it doesn't go away during the exercise session (it may just pass if you continue), then you should ask your doctor about using a topical ointment to stop the itching, or taking an over-the-counter anti-histamine (like Benadryl) 30-60 minutes before exercising. If over-the-counter anti-histamines make you sleepy, your doctor can prescribe a non-sedative anti-histamine. You should only take over-the-counter or prescription medication for this problem after speaking with your doctor.

Take care, Rich
Report This| Share this:Itchy, burning & tingling legs...Hi An,<br /><br />You're most likely experiencing an allergic-like reaction during exercise. During exercise, histamines are released and some people are sensitive to them. People sensitive to histamines can experience rashes, itching, and other allergic symptoms during exercise. Most of the time the rashes appear on the chest and thighs, but can be on the arms or neck too. Sometimes exercise also reacts with food allergies or medications (e.g., antibiotics, pain medications, sedatives, tranquilizers, and diuretics) to cause the problem. And sometimes the reaction is to a new clothing detergent or maybe a new soap or lotion. If the problem is bothering you so much that you can't stand it, and it doesn't go away during the exercise session (it may just pass if you continue), then you should ask your doctor about using a topical ointment to stop the itching, or taking an over-the-counter anti-histamine (like Benadryl) 30-60 minutes before exercising. If over-the-counter anti-histamines make you sleepy, your doctor can prescribe a non-sedative anti-histamine. You should only take over-the-counter or prescription medication for this problem after speaking with your doctor. <br /><br />Take care, Rich
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