Why do my legs itch when I work out? | Exercise.com Learn: Your Fitness Business Resource

Why do my legs itch when I work out?

Tyler Spraul is the director of UX and the head trainer for Exercise.com. He has his Bachelor of Science degree in pre-medicine and is an NSCA-certified strength and conditioning specialist. He is a former All-American soccer player and still coaches soccer today. In his free time, he enjoys reading, learning, and living the dad life. He has been featured in Shape, Healthline, HuffPost, Women's...

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UPDATED: Aug 25, 2020

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  • In many cases, it is simply a reaction to the clothing that you are wearing while you are working out.
  • The most common reason for itchy legs when exercising is what is known as cholinergic urticaria, which is basically an elevation of the body’s internal temperature.
  • If you are suffering from cholinergic urticaria or raised body temperature, then you might have to try a few different methods to try alleviating your itchy legs.

If you are like the droves of people trying to get into better shape or losing a few unwanted pounds, you know that exercise is an important tool.

While you can expect a fair amount of discomfort when exercising, some discomfort you feel may not be normal when working out. Such is the case for people that experience itching in their legs when working out.

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What Are the Most Common Causes for My Legs to Itch When I Work Out?

Before you begin to worry about something serious brewing because your legs itch when you work out, you want to calm your nerves.

The reality is that in many cases, it is simply a reaction to the clothing that you are wearing while you are working out.

Many people have skin irritation in part due to the type of material that a piece of clothing is made out of, most notably synthetic blends.

In some very rare cases, itchy legs can be a precursor to an allergic reaction.

While there are a few other symptoms that will accompany an allergic reaction like nausea, vomiting and difficulty breathing, it can be the reason for the itching.

However, if you are having a severe allergic reaction, itchy legs will be the least of your concerns.

Lastly, perhaps the most common reason for itchy legs when exercising is what is known as cholinergic urticaria, which is basically an elevation of the body’s internal temperature.

When the body’s temperature goes up, especially during physical exertions like exercise, the result can cause your skin to itch.

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Are There Any Side Effects When My Legs Itch When I Work Out?

Fortunately, there are no real side effects if you are experiencing itchy legs when working out due to elevated body temperature.

In some cases, this could indicate a potential circulation problem and, if it persists, you should speak to your doctor about it.

However, there are no other medical concerns.

In some cases, if it is a skin reaction to the type of material your clothing is made of you might develop a rash.

In these cases, a simple rash ointment should be applied. If the rash persists then it might be time to speak to a doctor.

What Can I Do to Stop My Legs From Itching When I Workout?

If you have an allergic reaction that causes your legs to itch when working out then you need to either take whatever medication you have been prescribed or you need to seek medical attention immediately. If this happens don’t try to finish your workout. These situations can be very dangerous, if not fatal, should they go untreated.

If you are having a skin reaction to the clothing that you are wearing when working out, the best advice is to change the clothes you wear when exercising. Often times the best material to wear is cotton. This material is much easier on the skin in general.

If you are suffering from cholinergic urticaria or raised body temperature, then you might have to try a few different methods to try alleviating your itchy legs. The first thing might be to consider changing the time of day you work out or exercise.

Often times, changing your workout to early in the mornings or later at night can help to minimize the effect of elevated body temperature. This may take a little time to perfect but eventually, you will find the right time to exercise.

If your efforts to change your workout times fail to help your itchy legs then you can speak to your doctor about the problem. In some cases, a doctor can prescribe antihistamines to help with itchy legs when working out.

It is worth noting that getting a prescription may not be necessary. In many cases, itchy legs can be little more than a nuisance so it is advisable that you only go down the prescription path if the problem is significant enough to disrupt your workouts.

Lastly, if you have dealt with this condition for a long period of time but regardless of your efforts you have yet to see any significant improvement, you might have the beginnings of circulatory problems. However, this is not something you will want to try and diagnose. That is why you should see your doctor and let them make the determination as to whether it is an issue that you need to address or it is nothing to worry about.

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