If you've experienced allergy symptoms such hives or itchy skin while exercising, you're likely suffering from a condition called exercise urticaria. Your symptoms may develop during or after exercise and leave visible signs such as welts or raised flat bumps on your skin, red spots or blisters, according to FamilyDoctor.org. While exercise-induced allergies can make your workouts less bearable, you're not entirely at their mercy.
Causes and Other Symptoms
Exercise-induced allergies may develop as a result of increased levels of histamines during exercise. Histamines are chemicals released in the body as part of an allergic reaction. Widening of the blood capillaries and leakage of fluid into the skin dermis also plays a role. Other symptoms may include flushing or skin redness, stomach cramps, a headache or swelling of your face, tongue or hands, notes FamilyDoctor.org. A rare, severe form of exercise allergies is classic exercise-induced anaphylaxis, which may cause constriction of your throat and symptoms such as choking, wheezing, nausea and gastrointestinal colic.
Exercise-induced Food Allergies
Some people also develop exercise-induced allergies if they eat certain foods before exercising. When you exercise and your body temperature increases, you may become light-headed, itchy, develop hives or even anaphylaxis, according to the National Institutes of Allergies and Infectious Diseases. Trigger foods vary from person to person, but may include alcohol, cheese, shellfish or tomatoes.
Preventing and Treating Exercise Allergies
Exercise four to six hours after eating. Avoid taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin before exercising as these medications are the ones most commonly associated with exercise urticaria. Do not exercise during your menstruation. Avoid exercises that are more likely to cause allergic reactions; for instance, dancing, jogging, running, skiing and volleyball have been commonly implicated in exercise-induced anaphylaxis, according to a study published in the journal "American Family Physician" in October 2001. Once you start to experience symptoms, slow your pace down or take a break for about 5 to 10 minutes.
Precautions
Seek advice from your allergist about taking antihistamines to control exercise allergies as some of these medications can cause side effects. Severe exercise allergies such as exercise-induced anaphylaxis can be severe and even life-threatening. Consult with an allergy specialist on how to manage these symptoms. Your doctor may recommend taking epinephrine with you during your workouts. Also, work out with someone who is familiar with your condition.
References
- FamilyDoctor.org: Exercise-induced Urticaria (Hives)
- "American Family Physician"; Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis and Urticaria; Robert G. Hosey, M.D et al.; October 2001
- National Institutes of Allergies and Infectious Diseases: Oral Allergy Syndrome and Exercise-induced Food Allergy
- KidsHealth: Histamine
