My Ankles Itch While Walking For Exercise

Itchy ankles during exercise can be irritating and uncomfortable, making it difficult to finish your walking routine. It can be caused by a variety of conditions and situations, some that require a doctor's treatment. To provide long-term relief, it is important to identify what can cause itchy ankles during exercise.

Symptoms

Itching can range in severity from a mild annoyance to painful and persistent. It can be accompanied by the appearance of small bumps, redness, blisters, cracked skin, dryness and a rash. The skin of the ankles can also become scaly or leathery in texture. Intense itching can also lead to scratching, which can break the skin and cause bleeding and infection.

Causes

Physical exercise, such as walking, can cause you to perspire. Your socks can become wet and result in itching of the ankles and feet. In addition, itchy ankles can be due to friction caused by tight socks or shoes. Itching can also develop if your footwear or socks are made of fabric that doesn't allow sweat to evaporate normally. Heat rash, where the sweat glands become clogged, can also cause itchy ankles. Some medical conditions such as psoriasis, eczema and exercise-induced allergies also can cause itching during exercise.

Treatments

Take your shoes off and dry your ankles and feet as soon as you are done walking. Wash your ankles and feet with a mild soap. Rinse the soap off completely and then apply a gentle moisturizer or hydrocortisone cream to your skin. You can also soak your ankles in a cool bath sprinkled with uncooked or colloidal oatmeal. Wear cotton socks to help reduce irritation. Use a medicated powder or cream to kill the fungus if you suspect athlete's foot.

Prevention

Avoid tight-fitting socks and synthetic shoes that can trap moisture and irritate your skin. Change your socks frequently, especially after your exercise routine. If you are prone to itchiness during exercise, wash and thoroughly dry your feet and ankles every day. When it's hot outside, consider walking where it is shady or indoors -- such as a mall -- where it is cool and air-conditioned.