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Itchy legs during exercise? These 4 things may be the cause

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Itching can appear suddenly without knowing the cause, even during exercise. This condition can attack various parts of the body including the legs. In some cases, itching during exercise is not trivial, because it could be a sign of certain health problems. So, what makes itchy feet appear during exercise?

Causes of itching in the legs during exercise

Itching or what is known as pruritus is a sensation that occurs due to irritation of skin cells or nerve cells. This sensation occurs when nerve endings called pruriceptors are stimulated by infection, injury, chemicals, temperature, or the body's immune response.

When stimulated, the nerves send messages to the brain and spinal cord that give you a reflex to scratch.

Unfortunately, scratching only temporarily relieves the itching. In order to get the right treatment, you need to know the exact cause. Here are the various causes of itchy feet during exercise:

1. Cholinergic urticaria

Cholinergic urticaria is a condition in which an increase in body temperature triggers swelling of the skin which eventually causes itching. This condition can occur during or after exercise.

The cause of urticaria is still not known for sure, but it can occur due to allergies to food or exercise at that time. Usually this condition makes the skin look red bumps that arise and feel very itchy.

Although the itching is bothersome, urticaria is not life-threatening. Generally, the symptoms will disappear 10 minutes after the exercise is over.

2. Circulation is not smooth

In some cases, itching in the legs during exercise can be caused by the body's own reactions. Usually occurs in people who previously rarely exercised.

When exercising, your feet need an ample supply of blood. When blood circulation to this area increases, the capillaries in the legs will widen.

At the same time, the nerves around the blood capillaries send itching signals to the brain. Usually, these symptoms will stop after a few days of exercise as long as you get in the habit of walking regularly.

3. Cold allergies

Try to pay attention, does itching in the feet when exercising only appears when you exercise when the temperature is cold, such as morning or night? If so, you may have a cold allergy or what is also known as cold urticaria.

Symptoms are similar to cholinergic urticaria such as redness accompanied by itching. However, this condition can also be severe and quite serious, such as chills, swelling of several parts of the body, to fainting.

4. Anaphylaxis

In rare cases, itching in the legs can be a sign of anaphylactic triggered by exercise or in foreign terms it is called exercise-induced anaphylaxis .

Apart from hives, you can also experience various problems such as difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, swelling in the face, vomiting, and fainting. If you continue to exercise, this condition can be life threatening because the flow of oxygen to the heart and brain will be blocked, eventually causing death.

In some people, this condition can be triggered by strenuous exercise activities. While others are caused by strenuous exercise and certain foods.

To find out more clearly which condition you are experiencing, you should consult your doctor if you often feel itching in your feet during exercise. The doctor will provide the right treatment according to the conditions.

Itchy legs during exercise? These 4 things may be the cause
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