Itchiness when going from sedentary to active exercise?
March 24, 2017 7:41 AM Subscribe
I'm ready to go from sedentary to starting regular exercise again. In the past, one of the things I've noticed that often kills my motivation to exercise is that when I start cardio I'll start getting pretty itchy all over my body - in some cases even a rash/hives would develop. It's a huge motivation killer and probably at least partially responsible (outside of weak will) for halting many previous attempts at exercise. Have you encountered this? Tips to overcome it?
My cardio programs usually start with attempting to do Couch25k and falling off somewhere in week 3 or 4. I do running because it's free, but I don't particularly love it and find myself always fighting the voice in my head that gives excuses. The itchiness is a major excuse and I want to take away that excuse.
I've read that it might have something to do with blood capillaries being used again and the itchiness is a matter of your vessels expanding. I'm also speculating that maybe it's friction related as well, with the skin rubbing up against my shirt and shorts (or in the less sightly portions where the skin rubs up against the skin).
If you've dealt with this and have suggestions for the cream, medication, or specific type of material of clothes, whatever it is you did to overcome it, I would appreciate it.
My cardio programs usually start with attempting to do Couch25k and falling off somewhere in week 3 or 4. I do running because it's free, but I don't particularly love it and find myself always fighting the voice in my head that gives excuses. The itchiness is a major excuse and I want to take away that excuse.
I've read that it might have something to do with blood capillaries being used again and the itchiness is a matter of your vessels expanding. I'm also speculating that maybe it's friction related as well, with the skin rubbing up against my shirt and shorts (or in the less sightly portions where the skin rubs up against the skin).
If you've dealt with this and have suggestions for the cream, medication, or specific type of material of clothes, whatever it is you did to overcome it, I would appreciate it.
Synthetic fabrics seem to make me itch when I work out so I try gettimg only cotton stuff. Hard to find stuff I like but then I don't itch.
The reasons for you may be different of course.
posted by cacao at 8:12 AM on March 24, 2017
The reasons for you may be different of course.
posted by cacao at 8:12 AM on March 24, 2017
If it's shorts-rubbing related, try knee length leggings - nothing to move around, but not as hot as full length leggings.
posted by asphericalcow at 8:14 AM on March 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by asphericalcow at 8:14 AM on March 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
For me it turned out to be UV exposure. I now work out indoors. And heavily cover with UV protection out of doors.
posted by tilde at 8:18 AM on March 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by tilde at 8:18 AM on March 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
How soon after you run do you clean up? If you do it too soon, your body is still sweating.
How often are you washing/changing your workout clothes? If you have one set that you're washing and wearing multiple times a week, it might have to do with your detergent or fabric softener.
posted by Etrigan at 8:18 AM on March 24, 2017
How often are you washing/changing your workout clothes? If you have one set that you're washing and wearing multiple times a week, it might have to do with your detergent or fabric softener.
posted by Etrigan at 8:18 AM on March 24, 2017
Oh man, this happens to me and it is THE WORST. My partner thinks I'm crazy and has no idea. I only get the itches and hives when I run. My solution has been to stick to exercise that doesn't cause the itches, like Ashtanga yoga, rock climbing, body conditioning, and slower paced hiking on cool days. If I absolutely have to run, which happens at least every Tuesday now (I'm looking at you, Kayla Itsines), I make sure to moisturize really well and then I wear as little clothing as possible. That usually ends up being a sports bra and shorts. This does not mitigate the itches or rash at all but it does make it so the itching is less necessary because there isn't as much material chafing. Following this thread with great interest because that's as much of a solution as I've got.
posted by coldbabyshrimp at 8:19 AM on March 24, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by coldbabyshrimp at 8:19 AM on March 24, 2017 [2 favorites]
What clothing do you normally wear to exercise in? Are you sure it is breathable? Have you tried natural fibers? Cotton? Icebreaker clothing (example)? (+1 on trying knee length leggings also.)
What laundry detergent do you use? It may be fine for normal use, but when you sweat you might be reacting to it? Maybe try using something for sensitive skin, like Arm and Hammer Sensitive.
Do you normally moisturize after showering. (If not, maybe try using Excipial).
posted by gudrun at 8:22 AM on March 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
What laundry detergent do you use? It may be fine for normal use, but when you sweat you might be reacting to it? Maybe try using something for sensitive skin, like Arm and Hammer Sensitive.
Do you normally moisturize after showering. (If not, maybe try using Excipial).
posted by gudrun at 8:22 AM on March 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
What about taking an antihistamine beforehand? It could be exercising is causing a histamine reaction and an antihistamine might mitigate it.
posted by thebrokedown at 8:42 AM on March 24, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by thebrokedown at 8:42 AM on March 24, 2017 [2 favorites]
it's worth ruling out the things suggested here (e.g. fabrics, UV), but it is completely possible to be 'allergic to exercise' - with responses anywhere from itching/hives to full on anaphalaxis.
Do you get hives from anything else, particularly from anything that makes you hot? Cholinergic urticaria can manifest during exercise because you're raising your body temperature.
I would try taking an antihistamine and seeing if that has an effect, but once you've ruled out other causes and are sure it's either heat or exercise, that is probably something you should discuss with your doctor who may have alternatives.
posted by AFII at 8:54 AM on March 24, 2017 [7 favorites]
Do you get hives from anything else, particularly from anything that makes you hot? Cholinergic urticaria can manifest during exercise because you're raising your body temperature.
I would try taking an antihistamine and seeing if that has an effect, but once you've ruled out other causes and are sure it's either heat or exercise, that is probably something you should discuss with your doctor who may have alternatives.
posted by AFII at 8:54 AM on March 24, 2017 [7 favorites]
This happens to me too, and I've always assumed it was a combination of some kind of circulation/blood vessels trying to remember how to work properly and then the sensitivity that that causes to heat/fabric/cold/whatever's happening. Mine also happens on the front of my thighs the worst. I also don't have good solutions, but what tends to help, as other people have said, is:
moisturizing well, in general and also before running
wearing as little as possible when it's warm, and wearing good quality leggings with fleece lining that don't move around at all when it's cold
Spending plenty of time walking to warm up before starting to run
Running very slowly to get your body used to it! No, slower than that!
I do find it's gotten much better for me when I exercise regularly, but that that improvement takes time -- like, 3-4 months of running several times per week. I don't know if that's heartening or not, but it does get better!
posted by LeeLanded at 8:55 AM on March 24, 2017 [3 favorites]
moisturizing well, in general and also before running
wearing as little as possible when it's warm, and wearing good quality leggings with fleece lining that don't move around at all when it's cold
Spending plenty of time walking to warm up before starting to run
Running very slowly to get your body used to it! No, slower than that!
I do find it's gotten much better for me when I exercise regularly, but that that improvement takes time -- like, 3-4 months of running several times per week. I don't know if that's heartening or not, but it does get better!
posted by LeeLanded at 8:55 AM on March 24, 2017 [3 favorites]
I sometimes get this too - for me it's usually just as I start to get warm enough to sweat, but my body hasn't started to sweat in full force. I know that I'm a salty sweater; I think the the initial sweat is just that much saltier and/or it evaporates quickly and leaves salt on the skin. Once I'm full on drenched in sweat there's no itchyness.
Ways to combat this; if I'm well moisturized I don't have this problem. Once the itchiness starts, I consider my warm up over and will give a burst of higher effort to try to get my body to move into full on heavy sweat mode. While doing that if I have water, I'll pour a bit in a hand and rub the itchy area.
posted by nobeagle at 9:43 AM on March 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
Ways to combat this; if I'm well moisturized I don't have this problem. Once the itchiness starts, I consider my warm up over and will give a burst of higher effort to try to get my body to move into full on heavy sweat mode. While doing that if I have water, I'll pour a bit in a hand and rub the itchy area.
posted by nobeagle at 9:43 AM on March 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
I get this because I have mild dermatographia and it's exacerbated by heat and clothing movement. It only happens now when I run out of the Zyrtec I take every day for my regular runny nose allergies- so maybe try an antihistamine like Zyrtec or Claritin on days you plan to exercise?
posted by MadamM at 9:48 AM on March 24, 2017
posted by MadamM at 9:48 AM on March 24, 2017
I get this but only when running (not biking or other exercise), and only somewhat recently. I take a cetirizine (I'm sure other second generation antihistamines would work) beforehand and it seems to keep it at bay.
posted by thewumpusisdead at 9:48 AM on March 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by thewumpusisdead at 9:48 AM on March 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
Are you running outside or inside? If outside, maybe try an indoor track/treadmill? I am allergic to tree pollen that will result in itchiness/rashes on my body (primarily legs) when outside and active, but can run indoors just fine.
posted by vegartanipla at 9:50 AM on March 24, 2017
posted by vegartanipla at 9:50 AM on March 24, 2017
I've read that it might have something to do with blood capillaries being used again and the itchiness is a matter of your vessels expanding.
It might be worth, on this basis, trying taking some form of caffeine (which is a vasoconstrictor) shortly before exercise. Of course, caffeine is also a diuretic, so you need to be extra careful about hydration.
Seconding that salty sweat seems to make me itchy, so possibly just making sure that you're well hydrated with plain water before starting might help (but remember to replace the electrolytes once you've built up a sweat).
And, yes, try an antihistamine, too.
posted by howfar at 9:54 AM on March 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
It might be worth, on this basis, trying taking some form of caffeine (which is a vasoconstrictor) shortly before exercise. Of course, caffeine is also a diuretic, so you need to be extra careful about hydration.
Seconding that salty sweat seems to make me itchy, so possibly just making sure that you're well hydrated with plain water before starting might help (but remember to replace the electrolytes once you've built up a sweat).
And, yes, try an antihistamine, too.
posted by howfar at 9:54 AM on March 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
I've had this my whole life and for me it has nothing to do with clothing, the sun, indoors/outdoors, salty sweat, any of that. It is simply from being out of shape (I don't know the exact mechanism, if you told me it was blood vessels expanding I would believe you). One of my sisters has it too so I assume there must be a genetic component. If I stop for as little as a week it comes back and I get very itchy from running as little as a mile. I take walk breaks and go easy when getting back into exercising because it is so annoying. For me, it just goes away after a while (depends how long it's been since I've been exercising regularly). The good news is that it does go away completely, and I've in the past been successful at building up to a regular running schedule and completing multiple marathons without even as much as thinking about it -- until I take a vacation and quit running for a week.
So... keep at it?
posted by matcha action at 11:00 AM on March 24, 2017 [2 favorites]
So... keep at it?
posted by matcha action at 11:00 AM on March 24, 2017 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks for the answers so far, lots to think about and try, interesting to hear that I'm not the only one that suffers from this. It sounds like keeping up the exercise helps alleviate it - i don't think I've kept to a program long enough where it went away - let's hope this is the time, maybe with some of these aids.
Answering a few questions:
* Itchiness occurs when I run on the treadmill indoors, but it's not as bad as outdoors, I think. Perhaps it's the a/c keeping me cooler?
* We use free and clear sensitive skin type detergents on everything - i don't think I have a particular sensitivity to scents, we just don't really see a need to have extra 'stuff' in detergent.
* I don't moisturize at all - I don't have a huge problem with dry skin, but sounds like something for me to start doing.
* Generally feel the itchiness on my thighs and calves, but just as easily on chest and belly. Rash/redness/hives usually appear in the belly and chest areas.
* Re: Cholinergic urticaria - I'll start paying more attention to whether getting hot/sweating will give me rash and hives - on rare occasions i'll get small localized rash areas unrelated to exercise, but i don't think i get one everytime i sweat.
* I'll look into the leggings and antihistamines.
posted by Karaage at 11:06 AM on March 24, 2017
Answering a few questions:
* Itchiness occurs when I run on the treadmill indoors, but it's not as bad as outdoors, I think. Perhaps it's the a/c keeping me cooler?
* We use free and clear sensitive skin type detergents on everything - i don't think I have a particular sensitivity to scents, we just don't really see a need to have extra 'stuff' in detergent.
* I don't moisturize at all - I don't have a huge problem with dry skin, but sounds like something for me to start doing.
* Generally feel the itchiness on my thighs and calves, but just as easily on chest and belly. Rash/redness/hives usually appear in the belly and chest areas.
* Re: Cholinergic urticaria - I'll start paying more attention to whether getting hot/sweating will give me rash and hives - on rare occasions i'll get small localized rash areas unrelated to exercise, but i don't think i get one everytime i sweat.
* I'll look into the leggings and antihistamines.
posted by Karaage at 11:06 AM on March 24, 2017
Oh and DEFINITELY use some kind of anti-chafe product like Body Glide anywhere where skin meets skin, such as between the thighs and at the back of your armpits, or even where your clothing seems to be rubbing a lot. As you have noticed, terrible things happen when you don't.
posted by LeeLanded at 11:49 AM on March 24, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by LeeLanded at 11:49 AM on March 24, 2017 [2 favorites]
I've had the itching in the thighs feeling after coming back from a sedentary period. I 100% think it's blood vessels waking up (and maybe touching on something more complicated). For me, that feeling's tended to die down after ~30 mins and has usually gone away after a week or so. I've just ridden it out.
That feeling and what's happening on your torso might have different causes. But if not, the antihistamine sounds like a good idea. And/or maybe a cool shower for distraction.
posted by cotton dress sock at 12:21 PM on March 24, 2017
That feeling and what's happening on your torso might have different causes. But if not, the antihistamine sounds like a good idea. And/or maybe a cool shower for distraction.
posted by cotton dress sock at 12:21 PM on March 24, 2017
I've read that it might have something to do with blood capillaries being used again and the itchiness is a matter of your vessels expanding.
Do you ever experience this in the winter when coming inside from being out it the cold? It is definately a thing that happens and the problem is in the transitions. So if you warm up more gradually you may be able to avoid the itching (much like warming up slowly after being cold can help avoid the winter thigh itches).
I'd suggest a slightly warm shower before exercise.
posted by srboisvert at 1:03 PM on March 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
Do you ever experience this in the winter when coming inside from being out it the cold? It is definately a thing that happens and the problem is in the transitions. So if you warm up more gradually you may be able to avoid the itching (much like warming up slowly after being cold can help avoid the winter thigh itches).
I'd suggest a slightly warm shower before exercise.
posted by srboisvert at 1:03 PM on March 24, 2017 [1 favorite]
This happens to me (overweight) and not my (thin) husband. I always assumed it was because my skin/fat was bouncing while exercising because of the extra weight... Like how you get itchy arms from pushing a vibrating lawn mower. Is this crazy reasoning? I never assumed it could be something else...
posted by mirabelle at 3:22 PM on March 24, 2017 [2 favorites]
posted by mirabelle at 3:22 PM on March 24, 2017 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
Things that have helped me:
* Better moisturization of my skin in general. Also, more exfoliation as part of my bathing routine.
* I've found that if I'm already sweating, from it being hot outside or doing heavy chores, I am less itchy when I start to run. The start of sweating seems to be connected to the itching for me.
* I've found tight shirts less irritating when running. Less movement of the shirt keeps my nipples from getting angry-irritated, too.
Ideas for you:
* Maybe taking a hot shower before running might help? As in, towel off enough to not be sopping, but leave yourself wet enough to not have an itchy transition to sweating. Also, If the shower's hot enough, you'll start sweating a little from that heat as well.
* Exfoliating yourself really well before exercising. Especially if there's particular parts of the body that get more itchy than others. I propose stripping down and loofa-ing your body dry. The stimulation might get the nerve cells tired of firing (<> * Calamine lotion? The stuff you put on poison ivy and bug bites.
* Try an anti-histamine?
Good luck!
posted by wires at 8:11 AM on March 24, 2017 [2 favorites]