Between 10 and 20 percent of people will experience some type of exercise-induced allergic rash at some point in life, according to The Body Odd website. Because symptoms can be uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous, it is important to understand why exercise-induced allergic skin rashes occur and how they can be treated.
Symptoms
An allergic skin rash due to exercise can develop suddenly, even if you have never experienced it before during exercise. The rash can appear as red, swollen, itchy raised spots or welts anywhere on the skin. They can range from a tiny spot to a welt that is several inches across. Additional symptoms can include vomiting, breathing difficulty, fainting and itching. Exercise-induced allergies can last as long as four hours after your workout.
Causes
An exercise-induced skin rash occurs when your heart rate increases during your workout routine. Your blood starts to pass quickly through your organs, picking up pieces of food from the stomach with each trip it takes. The amount of food antigens increase in the blood system and can trigger an allergic reaction such as a rash, even if you do not normally experience an allergic reaction to this particular food. You are more likely to experience an exercise-induced allergic reaction if you participate in strenuous exercise such as jogging or skiing.
Treatment
Take an antihistamine medication to help reduce symptoms such a skin rash. If you are prone to exercise-induced allergies, consider taking an antihistamine four times a day. Cover the rash with a cool, wet bandage to soothe itchiness and keep you from scratching at the affected area. In addition, treat an irritated rash by taking a cool bath with baking soda, colloidal oatmeal or uncooked oatmeal.
Tips
Because some allergic reactions can turn life-threatening, you should always exercise with a partner if you are prone to exercise-induced allergies. Carry an epinephrine shot with you and teach your exercise partner how to provide basic life support in the event of a severe reaction. Keep a diary of when exercise-induced rashes occur, listing what foods you ate prior to your workout and what type of exercise you participated in. This may help you to identify a specific trigger.
References
- American Academy of Family Physicians; Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis and Urticaria; Robert G. Hosey, Peter J. Carek and Alvin Goo; October 15, 2001
- The Body Odd; Allergic to exercise?; Melissa Dahl; July 16, 2008
- Running Times; Allergic to Running; Courtney Roush; JanFeb 2006
- MayoClinic.com: Hives and Angioedema
