Itching while exercising is a fairly common condition, though the causes are not the same for each person. Some forms of itching during a workout are harmless yet annoying symptoms that do not require any medical treatment. Other types of exercise-induced itching may be more serious and necessitate medical care. Consult your doctor if you cannot easily determine the cause of itching during exercise.
Allergic Reaction
Itching that is accompanied with hives during physical activity is called exercise-induced urticaria and can potentially become a dangerous condition. Symptoms associated with exercise-induced urticaria include redness of the skin, facial swelling, breathing difficulties and stomach cramps. The itching and hives can be an allergic reaction to a food you have eaten or medication you have taken even several hours before you exercise. Symptoms generally begin within a few minutes of your workout. Stop exercising until your symptoms recede to avoid complications. Taking an oral antihistamine to control the itching can make you more comfortable.
Blocked Sweat Ducts
During exercise, your body temperature rises and you start to sweat. If the sweat, along with dirt and other impurities on your skin, clog the sweat ducts, you experience an itchy rash called miliaria. Simply put, miliaria is a heat rash. Keeping your skin cool with the use of a fan, cool compresses and wearing light layers of natural-fiber clothing can relieve your discomfort. Applying topical antihistamines to your skin also calm the rash. Miliaria can be uncomfortable but is rarely a prolonged cause for concern.
Fungal Infection
Fungal skin infections like jock itch and athlete's foot may worsen during exercise. The increase in your body temperature combined with sweat and the wearing of tight sports attire can rub against the fungal rash and intensify the itching. Topical and oral antifungal medications prescribed by your doctor can treat jock itch, athlete's foot and other forms of tinea corpus fairly quickly, within a couple of weeks.
Considerations
When in doubt, talk to your doctor about your itching, particularly if you show symptoms only during exercise. You may need to keep a journal detailing your symptoms, lifestyle and food choices to determine the cause of your itching.
