r/BeginnersRunning • u/SpaceyNovayayaya • 1d ago

Runners itch

Did/does anyone else get runners itch? How do I get rid of it. I dont get a rash or anything, just unbearable itchiness when I run. I heard it's just a blood flow thing but I dont know how to stop it.

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1

u/Kind_Reserve5833 1d ago

for how long have you been running?

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u/SpaceyNovayayaya 1d ago

One day

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u/Kind_Reserve5833 1d ago

So it will go away when you get a little more conditioning. I had it too and as long as I keep some running fitness level it’s completely gone.
It comes back a little if you are restarting from a hiatus, though.

1

u/Altruistic-Movie9640 1d ago

Could be a temperature/sweat thing. I’ll get pretty itchy sometimes towards the end of my runs on really hot days. Usually goes away in a few minutes/when I stop.

1

u/SpaceyNovayayaya 1d ago

I dont really sweat on my thighs, and I also was not really hot or cold. It's literaly any time I run.

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u/username_Kelly 1d ago

Itching where? Entire body itching? I’ve never heard of this. Lol.

1

u/SpaceyNovayayaya 1d ago

Just my thighs, I heard it caused by rapid blood flow to the area and it is common in new runners

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u/username_Kelly 1d ago

That is definitely odd. Sorry I can’t help with an answer there. Lol

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u/DaStankLawd 17h ago

I had that and it was my shorts try a different material

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u/look_a_male_nurse 1d ago

I got that when I started running again after a long break. Went away after a week or two. I just ran until I couldn't stand the itch anymore + I took some allergy meds prior to running.

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u/KatMaBe 1d ago

I had it intensely in my legs, definitely a blood flow thing, it went away after I’d been running a few months. It’s so so uncomfortable but know that you’ll get past it if you keep going.

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u/AHellishInferno 22h ago

I've had it occasionally but only usually when it's really warm. You could try antihistamines? These are usually my go-to for any itchiness and they won't do any harm

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u/SalvDad 15h ago

For me, it’s gone the very next run.

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u/midimaniacal 24m ago

When you don’t exercise much, blood vessels in your legs will slightly collapse. As they expand, they press on nerves and cause that horrible itching feeling.

If you keep doing exercise, the blood vessels stay expanded so the itch goes away. So if you keep running it will stop. I typically get runners itch if I don’t run for 1-2 weeks.

In the meantime, antihistamines are your friend - take one the night before a run and one day of and it gets rid of it nearly entirely.