Hey my fellow itchers, I hope I am not making this worse for everybody but I just found out that for those who have a dirty panic as I do, you might have a condition called trypophobia. Basically you have an intense fear of the following things, which results in an all-over itchy feeling and general uneasiness: lotus seed pods, crumpets, pumice.

Just in case you were wondering what causes the "dirty panic" and I do sympathize.

The comments on this post are the most helpful I've ever read. I experience exactly the same symptoms as everybody here, "dirt panic" and all. I'm posting my comment to thank the poster who suggested taking Loratadine (non-drowsy Claritin). I've been doing so for a week now and didn't suffered even once.Thank you again! Nothing can describe the freedom I feel.

Oh my gosh, anon61036 in post #103! I'd forgotten all about vibration but you're right.

A few times when I've tried a vibrating foot massager or back massager I started to itch. It depended on the type of vibration--if it was a soft, rolling vibration I was fine. If it was a hard, jackhammer type then I started to itch. I'd forgotten all about it!

I'm overweight, and a couple of times I wondered whether my body jiggling during exercise caused the itching but I wasn't sure. My favorite kind of exercise is cardio so I'm usually bouncing around. I wonder if I sat on a stationary bike if I would itch as much or at all.

The good news is I've been working out consistently because I'm trying to lower my blood pressure. When I'm regularly active I don't itch, so I've been happily exercising itch-free for weeks now and it's such a pleasure. I've always been fat but I've also always enjoyed exercise (thank goodness).

I have not exercised regularly in years so I decided to go for a walk with my son this afternoon. Not 10 minutes into my walk I get this

awful itching in my thighs. I have experienced it before. It spreads from my thighs to my butt and eventually gets so bad that I get nauseated.

I found out several years ago that it also happens with vibration. Once a chiropractor used a vibration machine to loosen up the muscles in my back and I got that crazy itch all over and became nauseated.

The chiropractor suggested maybe I had over sensitive histamine receptors in my body. Who knows? Good to know I'm not the only one with this problem.

I just posted about my first severe episode of this. I looked up the condition (uritcaria) for more information since I know my mum is 'allergic' to changes between hot/warm to cold.

It said that symptoms are sometimes linked to mycoplasma which is basically a lingering cough (the link on the site says it's a form of pneumonia). I've had a lingering cough since a bad cold about 2.5 months ago. It went away a few weeks before Christmas only to flare up again on Christmas Eve.

I wonder if that contributed to me having such a violent episode on Saturday?

I've had this in the past -- usually when it was cold and usually just on the tops of my thighs and usually subsiding quickly after exercise but on Friday it was terrible.

It was cold out. About freezing maybe 1 or 2 C at the most. I was wearing thick jeans and bundled up well. We went for a long walk out in the countryside. It was a route I'd done before.

About 10 minutes into the walk my legs started itching. By the end of the walk I had already broken my skin from scratching and the itch had spread up to my bottom and down to my lower legs. I had to stop several times and stick my hands down my trousers to scratch. Luckily we were the only ones about!

When I got home I tore my clothes off. It was like I couldn't get them off fast enough. I couldn't stop itching. I took a hot bath because I thought it had to do with poor circulation because my legs were so cold. This helped a bit but my legs still itched even under water. I scrubbed them fiercely to try to get some circulation and to alleviate the itch.

The itching didn't subside fully until about one hour after I got out of the bath, which was about one hour after I finished the the walk.

I didn't (and haven't in the past) had the 'dirt panic' thing that others have. But I do suffer from generalised anxiety and specific anxieties in other areas. Don't know if that's relevant.

This is the worst that my itching has ever been. I know that my mum is 'allergic' to temperature changes and so is her dad. If she puts her warm legs onto a cold floor or switches her hands from hot to cold water very quickly she breaks out in hives.

I had similar hives all over my legs and they were bright red (even before the scratching and yes I did look down my own trousers when I was out in nature!)

It was the strangest thing because I'd never had such a violent reaction before. It has been some time (a few months) since I last managed to get proper exercise so I think the gap probably had something to do with the severity of the reaction but I've also noticed that the feeling has been getting worse as I get older.

I noticed it first in my teens but back then it was only a tingling or a mild itch that went away quickly.

I notice that this leg itching happens only when it's cold. When it's hot and I take exercise I itch all over!

I'll try an antihistamine before our next walk!

Thanks everyone!

Right for the first time in my life I am able to read accounts of other people who have been experiencing this terrible condition. It is the first time anyone other than me has been able to mention in the same breath the experience of itching and the associated dirty panic.

It is a relief to see others saying this because if enough of us can come forward then perhaps, the medical world may just engage more effort and research in this area.

I am 36.5 years and I can never remember in my lifetime when I never experienced this condition. Over the years I have learnt to cope with this and when I am visited by the evil dirty panic, I keep reminding myself that I have had this experience hundreds of times before and as far as I am aware I still continue to operate as a "normal" person. Believe you me that self assurance stops me from going totally mental.

I am an engineer by profession, applying that within the investment banking industry, I have tried everything within my ability. That in effect translated to trying to do things differently in as many permutations as possible. For example, I have tried things like marking out what I eat for breakfast, eliminate processed food, meat, bread, drinks, shower gels, creams, lotions, washing detergents, wear more (layers), wear less and on and on and on for all my life!

Sadly none of these things have helped. I was doing this because no one appeared to understand what I am talking about. When I have spoken to doctors about this, I have often got that look that suggests that the doctor is trying to evaluate my sanity status and often feeling that if I go on about this, I might get suggestions of seeking help in a mental institution and of course the result is just a quick, "never mind."

So I guess I decided that I am going to just have to figure out what could possibly be wrong. I have always been healthy and very active in my life. I have never been overweight. I admit that due to work circumstances, there have been months when I have never exercised but I have never noticed any difference either way, perhaps I might pay more attention forthwith.

My experience often starts when I'm either walking very fast or jogging, especially trying to catch a train from work. After anything from two to five minutes, I would just feel my feet, between my toes, becoming damp and warm and then very shortly start to experience itches. The itches very quickly build up from my feet through my ankles, legs and up my thighs and my bottomside.

If I continue the same pace, the itches would spread very rapidly across my entire body. After a while my whole body feels like it's on fire. Being very strong willed I would often just keep on but occasionally I have had to stop besides a bus stop or something and shed tears, wipe my eyes and then continue.

I have no recollection of anything worse than this experience ever in my life. The one thing I dare not do is scratch.

I hope that some proper remedy is found as my daughter, who is five now, appears to have got it and I fear for her to have to live her life the way I have lived with this condition.

It's me again (from posts #45 and #88).

Here are the results of my trying Loratadine (10mg in OTC non-drowsy Claritin) before exercising:

I took it 20 minutes before I began walking on my treadmill, and about the time into the workout that I would usually start itching, I only had the slightest itch and no dirt panic!

The slight itching was no big deal, I finished a one-hour workout with no problems! Placebo effect? Perhaps, but I'll happily accept it.

I'd tried antihistimines before with no such luck but perhaps the kind I tried before didn't have 10mg of Loratadine.

Thank you so much, anon27513 (post #31)!

I am a male 27. I have been experiencing this itch all my life. I also get the grossed out thoughts, when I see certain images.

There was one poster about heart attacks in the UK that used to drive me nuts. it makes me itch from within. One thing that slightly helps with the grossed out feeling is trying to think of milk, or white silk. I don't know why but having an image of something smooth and pure with no jagged edges or shadows, helps calm my nerves.

My experience is just like anon53041.

I laughed my head off because it's like I can picture myself as I was reading your post. Insane, absolutely insane. I have tried to explain to people, they just don't appear to have the interest or appetite of listening to crazy people like me.

Well, like I can just give them this link.

Dirty panic, Oh my God! What is that? For f* sake, what the f* is that? Sorry for swearing guys but I am beside myself every time I think about this.

Wow, what a relief. This is the reason why the people are the are the power. My doctor would have me believe that I am stresses and going psychotic, its all in the mind. Hallelujah.

I was late for work today, had no money in the wallet for the bus, so I had to walk. I ran instead to make up time. I am 22 years old and super-fit, so it was not a problem.

From previous experience with this enemy of ours i tip toed and walked at intervals for 1/2 a mile. Almost like my own scientific laboratory, because i am calculating when my body heats, when i am running fast, when i breathe, and then a tingle in the ankle, so i slow down and take deep breaths and walk.

But i have to get to work, and i hate getting to work late. So despite the tingly sensation i persist because i feel completely strong to run a marathon.

The tingle began to spread through the legs, and the knee is very itchy at this point but i can still bear it. I am hoping i haven't pushed it far by continuously running so i continue my strides as i see a have a long way to go and the time is getting close.

The jeans I was wearing only made the situation the itch was full blown by now. It felt like I had a porcupine and a family of termites inside my skin. Oh i remember like i am seeing a video of it in my head.

The itching almost drives me insane, made even more difficult because my jeans would not allow me to scratch my skin properly because of the thickness. It's like the first sunny day in two weeks and the sea promenade is full of people and there i am walking now with what must have been the most interesting expression on my face not knowing if I should stop, shout or pull my pants down and scratch like mad.

Well i kept on walking, i don't know how i managed to do that, but i kept on checking my watch. I made it to work on time by the way, but i felt sick throughout at work. I felt my brain would explode. i could have happily ripped my skin off and try to see what was causing such distress. I don't pray for bad things but i would be much happier if I was dead than go through this torture.

I will try this loratadine as i have only heard of it.

My question to anyone out there is do you drink it constantly or do you drink it during the show, how does it work? Thanks for reading.

I'll have to pay closer attention to things like weather and time, I guess. I have not really noticed a difference in the severe itching in different temperatures. It's only with walking.

I ride my bike a few times a week and do some fitness classes and never have this problem, but walking brings on intense itching in my thighs and it moves up my torso and even to my neck and sometimes I get dizzy and feel sick to my stomach. I'll have to try the loratadine.

I have had this issue for a number of years. If I haven't exercised for a while and begin walking again, my legs start itching really bad. I've found that I have to adjust my workout in 15 minute intervals and gradually increase my walking time until the itching stops completely. This seems to remedy the problem for me!

I researched my problem today, to finally address this problem. For me it happens in the winter months. Last winter, I stopped altogether from exercising.

I will follow up by seeing my primary care physician because I'm more interested in the physical aspect of this condition. I work for a healthcare/research facility and think it is a condition worth exploring further. I will however try the Loratadine. I really need to exercise. Again, thank you and God Bless you all!

I am so glad to have friends like you who suffer from the same symptoms on my thighs. I used to think it was genetic as my mother experienced the same sensations.

It is very uncomfortable and the worst part of it is when I start to be disgusted by every little bit of dirt around me. I avoid scratching as this makes things worse-makes you feel like tearing your skin apart. Thank you for your comments and I will try loratadine or antihistamine as some suggest.

You need to exercise regularly to avoid that.

This has been happening to my legs/thighs and bottom for years now. Always on long walks in the fall/winter. It happens to my little sister now as well.

I find that moisturizing before walking in the affected areas sometimes helps. I always thought that the itching was caused by getting better circulation to areas that suffer from bad circulation.

Also exfoliating with a body brush in the bath/shower seems to help me, because it improves circulation and gets rid of dry skin.

Definitely try Loratidine non drowsy, and I get mine from Walmart so its the Equate Brand.

Good luck! hope it helps!

I posted the super long comment in #45.

Though I've tried antihistamines before with no positive results, I'm encouraged to try Loratadine. I'd be so, SO happy if it prevented the itching! I'd exercise again!

As I mentioned earlier, the fool-proof cure for this disorder for me is exercising regularly daily or weekly. When I do that, I never have itching or disturbing thoughts about filth.

When I stop exercising for weeks or months and try to start up again, that's when I suffer. Then I'm forced to exercise through the agony for however many weeks it takes before I don't have the itchiness and disturbing thoughts anymore.

I'm so glad to have found you folks so I know I'm not the only one dealing with this weirdness.

The only thing that has worked for me, is an antihistamine called Loratadine in 10mg pills. For me, I take it almost every day. Some people may be able to take it early morning on days when you know you want to walk. It's been a life saver for me. I love to get outside and walk! Now I finally can.

Good luck to you all, I know how awful a feeling the "Itch" is! ;)

Thank you so much for all your comments. I thought I was the only crazy one. Explaining this itch to my friends or to whoever I would be walking with sounded like I am crazy. But I am so glad I'm not the only one.

Like anon53300 I'm from Swaziland and I'm in the US for two years studying. I'm 31 and I have had this as long as I can remember. I have never seen a doctor about it.

In the morning today today I was rushing to the train station to attend a conference close to where I live. The itch started and I really felt like scratching myself to death, then there were people all around me so I couldn't do it because they would think I'm crazy. I felt like crying and going back to my apartment but I couldn't do that.

When I got on the train and rested a bit it subsided but it just makes me feel so gross.

I was so determined to find out what wrong with me, if I have some kind of blood disease. I looked up the symptoms and I found you guys. I will try out some of the suggestions written here. Thank you.

I don't know if this thread is still active, but I just need to say "thank you" to everyone who has posted here. I have suffered in silence for nearly 30 years, and it's a relief to have proof that I'm not crazy! This "condition" has affected just about every aspect of my life, and I'm truly not living a full life because of it. And it doesn't help when the few people I've told about it, including my doctor, haven't taken me seriously. If they could only see me in the aftermath of one of these "attacks!"

The definition of relief.

The first thing to manifest is this unique uneasy feeling at every stomp each foot makes as it collides with the ground. Then the itch sets in, slowly, like a colony of ants invading a fresh territory where they crawl in with their tiny feet one by one.

Sometimes it begins with the feet or lower legs; other times it feels like the upper thighs are on fire, before working its way down the length of the lower limbs. The itch grows with every step, its intensity depending on the impact the feet has with the ground. Running therefore is a more painful experience than walking. However, they both have one thing in common: they can be gruesomely excruciating, especially when it’s cold outside.

As if the incessant itching of both legs and thighs is not enough to make you want to tear your skin apart with a barbed wire scrubbing brush, the dirt panic will definitely seal your ultimate long for instant death. The surroundings are suddenly filthy. Everything you look at is dirty to the point of making you nauseous, especially everything even slightly wet.

Decaying plants, dog poop, mud, gum and any type of litter sends you into a massive anxiety.

At that point the itching has climaxed. It just cannot get any worse. It feels like centipedes, millipedes, ants, goh maybe even cockroaches, mice, all sorts, are having a Christmas party on your body. And by this time the whole body has joined in.

You should not dare scratch, unless you don’t know what’s good for you, which seems to be always the case anyway because you cannot resist. The itch is buried so deep in the skin that the scratching has as much an effect as whistling to blow the sun away. Not only is it clearly ineffective, but also highly unpleasant and exacerbates your anxiety, panic and paranoia.

Tears are not very far away by now. That’s how stressed your system is. All you want to do is fly home before the filth underneath your shoes infiltrates your soles and gets under your feet, thus finding its way up to your already severely grossed out body.

When you get home you get out of your filthy clothes and shoes, burn them, jump into the shower and just hope to remember the scrubbing brush because you need a thorough scrub. Or so you think.

Because as soon as I stop walking the itch subsides. What takes a while go away is the dirt panic. I’m still grossed out even right now, sitting on the bed I sleep on every day, looking at this filthy carpet. And it has been eight hours since I walked out of the house and got my dose of what I have discovered to be a very less understood allergic disorder.

The only conclusions I had made were that I hated mud, walking in the rain, near puddles or near wet grass. I thought the filth made me itchy. I was also quite aware that I cannot suddenly break into a sprint, mainly when it is cold, and even then, not all the time. I am still very much convinced that the error is either with the circulation on my legs or my body suddenly adjusting my thermostat. Or both.

I’m more of a writer than a doctor so although I would like to know the body processes leading to this awkward fear of dirt, I’ll leave it like that for now.

Anyway, since the shower therapy, I’ve been sitting here glued to the Internet, my eyes honestly not believing what they are seeing. There are people out there actually suffering from this strange disorder!

Their accounts are so similar to mine they make me want to jump in relief -- itching anxiety, dirt paranoia and all.

I still have no idea what is wrong with me or what causes it but hey, who cares? I’m not alone! Finally I’m not crazy! *doing my sane dance*.

And now I can actually explain to people if I’m ever brave enough to walk in the cold again, that other ‘normal’ people actually do experience this you know. Running? That will be a rumour thank you very much.

Yoga all the way, because, actually, in the moons (I just couldn’t wait to use this – thank you Ken Rowley) when I’m religiously practising it, it either subsides or I just don’t notice it. Whew! Now, let me go back to designing my sparkling clean house, somewhere very far from filth. In Pluto maybe. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Pluto is a planet. I learnt it in school. Period.

PS - I'm 25, 1.72m, 58kg, born in Swaziland, Southern Africa and have been living in London for the past four years. I have never been bigger than this and have experienced this for as long as i can remember. -- Her Royal Hotness SL.

I have experienced this itching on my legs and stomach every time i run, jog or bike. And i am glad to know that i am not alone.

i experience them all year round, whatever my clothes are, so i guess it is not because of the weather or type of material of the clothes i am wearing. maybe i will try the antihistamine.

i hate to stop exercising just because of the itch.

I found this site very helpful and most of the symptoms are the exact same as mine except i find it much easier to exercise in hot weather. if i get up early or late evening and walk the cooler air tends to irritate my legs even more.

can anyone help me out with this? i have tried everything from antihistamines to compression tights but it still doesn't work! thanks

I have read ALL of the comments and today I am going to test some of the suggestions out! I suffered from "itchy legs" for a while now. I went to start walking again and only got .25 miles before my legs were itching so bad, I wanted to cry. I stopped and they got hot as the blood started flowing, everything around me grossed me out and I was ready to pull my pants down and scratch until it bled like a previous time. I just stood there because people were around and I waited and scratched. It felt like I had poison ivy that was aggressive. Now for a long time I thought I was different because my itching was coupled with the "disgust" feeling, but I guess that goes along with it.

So, I am going to lotion up real good (someone stated itching skin that's not moisturized contributes to it), I'm going to stretch at home real good (someone said stretching helps), I am going to eat some apples and some red grapes and take an antihistamine (benadryl) 20 minutes before. I am going to wear loose clothes, and walk slowly not to create too much vibration at once and see if all these suggestions work.

I will let you all know tomorrow. Any other suggestions please let me know as I am trying to become a police officer and need to get in shape ASAP!

Like everyone else who's posted - I feel sad that anyone else is experiencing this, but I have to say that I am glad that I have someplace to relate; I don't feel like I'm crazy!

I went on a walk today - the first in a long while (since I'm recovering enough from my herniated disks) that I've had enough wherewithal.

Within two minutes the itch started at my ankles and then rapidly progressed all the way up to my butt. I only stopped a couple of times to rub down my legs because there were too many people out - needless to say, I felt really self-conscious.

I don't think I made it more than a 1/5 of a mile before I decided to head back to the house. I felt myself go into panic mode and tried distracting myself from the intense itch. I too experienced the 'disgust' with the 'dirty' things around me. Even when my underwear was riding up I felt really gross.

At some point my legs felt warm and starting hurting somewhat. I felt like crying!

I know there have been times before that this has happened.

It's sad, I told my boyfriend when he got home a little bit ago and he just basically told me that it was in my head. Made me feel like crap. If it wasn't for this article and everyone who has posted their story I think I would have agreed with him.

Thank you, everyone who has posted. I hope at some point everyone can get some permanent relief. --Jolee

I am going to give the antihistamine suggestion a go for sure and like some of you I too am hesitant about taking more pills. But, if I can go for a fast walk or run without wanting to claw my skin off after about 5-10 minutes though, I will be a happy woman! I knew I wasn't alone though as my sister also suffers from it so she chooses to exercise in the afternoon as we believed it had something to do with circulation. I am a very active person, play touch football, swim and take part in boot camps without any issues but to go for a simple run is just impossible as the itch is just too much to bear. It is like an itch that you just cannot find sometimes and I am not embarrassed to say that the pain and probably more the frustration of this itch has brought me to tears on occasions. -Rachael

Let me join the OMG I'm not alone queue!

I just came back from a walk and looked for this because I am so tired of this incessant itching! I am 41 and suffered with this since I was a teenager.

I read most of the comments and noticed several question if fatty areas are worse. Until my 30's I was underweight and highly athletic (swimming and weight lifting) yet still suffered this miserable condition so I doubt that is a cause.

I will be trying antihistamines, though. Thank you so much for confirming I'm not mad! --Tam

i am 33 but the itching started when i was 14. it's deep under the skin. thankfully it only affects my thighs. it usually occurs after exercise. i used to play a lot of basketball and every time the itch came. i don't scratch it; i mildly punch my legs. I mainly lift weights now, but anything like walking, using the exercise bike or jogging causes the itch. What else can i do?

I have the same story (without the dirt fear). However, I would like to share my experience with the idea that it is the vibration that causes the itchiness.

This summer something different happened. I was riding my bike along some bumpy paths for about 20-30 minutes. My arms were vibrating and they began to feel a little itchy. I kept riding and got the exact same feeling in my lower, but especially my upper arms, which have a bit of fat on them (not excessive but enough to vibrate my skin). Before you knew it, I was breaking the skin with my fingernails from the itch.

I seriously think this is about the vibration (and maybe something else since people are taking antihistamines and finding that it works). Otherwise, why don't my arms itch consistently when I exercise? Last night I had unbearably itchy legs and my boyfriend noticed that when I walk, I kinda stomp. I don't see that, but he did. We stopped walking for a bit and I used the restroom to scratch my legs and warm them up (they were absolutely stone cold, dunno if that helps). My boyfriend suggested that I walk by dragging my feet and make an effort not to raise my legs off the ground. No itch!

I haven't tested the theory more than that yet. I am certain this has something to do with it.

I know this is weird but I will share since I feel it is all related. Sometimes, when I am in certain sexual positions where my bum will vibrate, I feel the same itch in the area that is vibrating. It's awful.

I can't even explain how glad I am to see that I'm not *crazy*! My husband and I were walking our labs tonight and on our way back I my thighs started to itch just on the insides and the front first, then the back of them, then my butt, then the small of my back, then my stomach. I had to stop probably 10 times just to itch, but its almost like you can't get to the itch because its buried or really deep in your legs. does anyone else feel like that? My husband kept saying, "stop itching! you are going to start bleeding!" But it's just so strong of a sensation that it almost makes you cry, and to be nowhere but in your house with your pants around your ankles with scratching with a wire brush! Thanks for the antihistamine advice :) I'll give it a shot :)

I know why you get itchy when you exercise. I also get very itchy when I exercise, especially after being inactive for a long time. If I start exercising for a couple of months it goes away. Consider it a phantom itch. Your brain interprets it as an itch, but its not a *real* itch. It happens to inactive/unfit people (you don't necessarily have to be overweight to get the itchies either). I am at a healthy good looking weight and it will even happen to me. It is when your capillaries open up to send more blood through to your skin. When you are unfit (not necessarily overweight) and inactive, they collapse and only send minimal blood flow, which is all that is necessary for a sedentary person. When you are active for a long time, say perhaps nearly a year, these capillaries stay open all the time.

I itch when walking or running and have done so since I was very young (38 now). I also have the vibration issues. Anytime something vibrates against my skin, I itch uncontrollably. I thought I was the only one. My husband thinks I am nuts!

I also have this itchy sensation which discourages me from walking. In fact, I can cycle for hours, and nothing happens, but then I walk for 30 minutes, and I am in pain. The other day, something weird happened though. I walked into town, but on the way back, I felt this tingling coming, and knew it wasn't long before I would start to feel grossed out, and even worse, in pain. As I intended to start jogging, I thought, no time like the present to get me home quicker, but after 20 seconds of jogging the pain got worse. It was so bad, I couldn't even move, my thighs were burning like crazy. So I stopped for about 30 seconds, the pain slightly diminished during the respite, and I continued walking for a couple of minutes and thought, I must be a sucker for pain, let's try this again. I ran up a slight gradient and stopped halfway up the road. The pain was tremendous; I couldn't move a single step. Plus I didn't feel so embarrassed because I guessed that people would just assume I stopped to catch a breather during my run, instead of just having no fitness at all. Once I started walking again, the initial pain that built up was considerably less than it would have been if I continued walking home. It meant more severe pain nonetheless, but I'm going to try again. It seems that running had increased the threshold level for pain, or had an immediate effect on my tolerance. Now though, I really want to consider whether I also have allergies to food or clothing. Anything will help. And continually exercising may help. If I felt changes in one walk home just by running and letting it take an effect, I can repeat this every other day until I can walk to and from town without any sensation at all. Hopefully!

I have suffered from this "itchy problem" for most of my life. As long as I can remember, as early as elementary school, I have been itchy. Most of the comments are exclusive to the legs. Wish I could say the same. experience the itch everywhere. I'm talking hands, feet, legs, chest, everywhere. I hate it and it makes me miserable! I know what triggers it, but I don't know what the cure is. I can't exercise if it's hot or cold. I can't take hot baths at all. Any temp. hot or cold will cause extreme unbearable itching which leads to throbbing and sometimes bleeding.

I have had this very same feeling! I always get itchy after taking a few days off from walking more than 5 minutes. The itchy feeling becomes so bad that I feel like I need to cancel it out by inflicting pain. A dirty puddle or dirt or breeze on a cold day makes it so much more worse and I feel as if my clothes and myself have to be washed. It doesn't feel better until I stop moving and the itchy subsides. I've been trying Loratidine and it helps, although, not on a consistent basis.

I just tried the generic Loratadine 10 mg and walked my dog for about 30 minutes -- and there was no itch! Thank you to whoever recommended this!

Post #65- I have the exact same problem and it happened again today. I'm usually a pretty consistent exerciser (walk, jog, run, weight lifting, etc.), but when I take some time off, like I have for the last 1-2 months, I start walking again and have that same itchy legs problem. Today I went on a morning walk and the itching got so unbearable I had to stop numerous times to scratch my legs. Even my stomach got itchy this time. This makes me crazy! I will try to Loratadine, but since I am three months pregnant, I'm not sure if I can take that. I will ask my doctor. I just thought I'd comment and say that I am so glad that I am not the only one who has this strange problem! It makes me crazy!

Hi.I just went for a lunch time walk and have been trying to do each day. I only walk seven minutes but am itching by the end of it. Today I walked for 15 minutes and the extra time made it worse. My itch goes from my feet all the way through my legs, stomach, back, bra line, breasts, neck, back and sometimes face. I walked past a wall that was crooked and could hardly look at it cause it freaked me out. A front garden with old bushes made me cringe. If I walk in the local park where there is a river, at scratch time, the river grosses me out so much. I thought it was just me. I must say that the only time I was able to go and walk with out this was taking an anti-histamine 20 minutes before i walked. I am going to check out MrsKrs response 15 as I think she is onto something as well as others who have mentioned allergy type tablets. This has been hitting me since I was 15. Even now after my walk my head has slight itchy tingling in it. I would describe the itch as my blood boiling under my skin. And everything others are describe, I can relate to so much. I too today thought, I am going to google this again, just in case I can find some new info.

OK so I'm post 30 on this board and I've been reading these every time a new message is posted.

This has been going on for about 10 years and I read Anon40028-post no. 61, about the non-drowsy antihistamine with loratadine. I got this from Walmart it was about $3 and it is *amazing*!

Today is my third day walking for an hour, without any itching. I just take it 20-30 minutes before i walk and I'm fine. Thank you to the person who suggested it!

Am glad to find out am not the only one. Have the same problem. If I have not run/walked on the treadmill for a while and do it for 10 minutes i get the itching so bad. Start with the thigh, goes to the butt, up the stomach. Sometimes i have to stop and run to the gym bathroom to scratch because i cannot stand it. After two days of walking on the treadmill the itching goes away. i have to do it, stop, go scratch and back but for the first day it's too much and i have to stop the workout. And getting myself to walk on the treadmill at least twice a week for 30 minute and no itching. i think my problem is when i stop for a month or longer then i get the itching. It's amazing though, because i have no problem on the elleptical machine/stairs and can even go for an hour or longer even if i have not worked out in over a month.i went one day with my friend and after 10 minutes started itching and i was telling her and she could not understand why she did not have any problem and watching me stop and run to the bathroom to scratch because felt embarrassed to do it with people watching me at the gym. Thanks to everyone for sharing. i feel i am not alone.

I've had the itchy leg syndrome for years! When it occurs, it's so unbearable I have to stop and scratch my legs. Then my legs feel more itchy and it starts throbbing. It's a lose-lose situation, because if I don't scratch then it's itchy and if I do scratch then its not as itchy, but painful.

So I completely relate to the itchiness, but I don't understand the 'dirty/gross' feeling.

If anyone knows what is going on with our itchy legs, please post!

Today was the first day that I noticed the very same symptoms everyone is describing here. I'm in my early 20s from Florida, living in New York City. I put on a pair of jeans Ive worn for years and went walking. I stood in one place waiting on the bus for awhile, just normal. The moment I went walking for 10 minutes, my ankle, thighs and butt bottom started itching like crazy. At first I though it was my shaved hair growing back and itching, but this itch was extreme. I also considered that the jeans were last washed in cheap detergent and although clean, I forgot to rewash them in a better brand. I also went to someone's house and it wasn't as clean as I think it should have been.

The reason, I feel its more than these things is because I felt so freaked out, I felt I was gonna lose it. I rushed through the door and showered for like 40 minutes just scrubbing, feeling icky! When I got out, I was repelled at my shoes that had been outside, repelled at my boyfriend for sitting on the bed edge with his jeans on he wore outside. I ended up googling this because I was losing my mind.

Oh my gosh! Thank you everyone! I've been suffering with thei "itch syndrome" since my early 20's and am now 53. And to find others who get that grossed out, irritable feeling with it; I really thought I was alone on this one. People think I'm crazy or lazy. For me, it was a winter time thing for me but starting itching yesterday in 90 degree weather. I was shocked. Thanks for all the tips. I'm going to try them.

I've started taking antihistamines every day when I want to walk. It works amazing for me! I haven't been able to walk so much in my life! Love it! I take a non-drowsy one with loratadine. Works for me!

My skin itches only when walking and running. I found out if I do other workouts it doesnt effect my legs as much or at all. Try doing pilates and stair climbing but If you have this issue I would avoid the walking on the treadmill and jogging outside all together. It hurts.

I too have to say it is a relief to see others suffer from the same thing.I told people and they think I'm just mad! I never had this as a child but when I got into my 20's I started at the gym, I noticed when I ran on the treadmill my thighs and ankles would itch like mad. I would stratch them raw and put cold tissues on them in the hope it would disappear. I then decided to leave out the treadmill as a rule.

Then I was in scotland and it was fairly cold. I had trainers and socks on. I was walking up a hill and started to get the itch around the trainer area.

I'm now in my late 20's. I've had it since but not as bad as yesterday. I was walking into to town to the hairdressers which is about a 25mins walk. It was a warm day but it was quite windy and the wind was cold. I had a skirt on, after walking for about 10 mins I noticed the itch started in my thighs. It got so unbareable, it felt like agony. It was so busy and I just wanted everyone to move out of the way so i could get to where was going quicker. I eventually got to the hairdressers and sat down for 5 mins. I tried wriggling my toes, as I always put it down to bad circulation. It did go away but only after I warmed up I guess.

It's been good to read other stories. Just want to know what I can do to help this. If the doctors don't help, what do we do?

Hey everyone the poster that said to try Loratadine 10mg is right. I took it a half hour before I walk and the tingling goes away. If you take it everyday it's even better.

My boyfriend thinks I'm crazy when I try to explain to him what happens to me when I try to work out or just plain walk. My legs get really itchy, I get an anxiety attack, and can't breathe, and looking at the weeds growing out of the pavement makes me feel so disgusting (dirt panic).

I gained a bit of weight recently and noticed that the movement of the fatty areas seems to exacerbate the itching a lot quicker. Tried to explain to my doctor what was happening to me and she looked at me like I was crazy. I think that it has a lot to do with the circulation because after running or walking for some time I get a rush of heat back into my legs and I feel better after that. However, its very difficult trying to get through it when exercising, especially if the people around you laugh about it. That's just makes it so much worse.

I am so glad I found this because now I can prove once and for all that I am not making my symptoms up. I love being active and haven't been in so long and this just makes it so much more difficult. I have become afraid to exercise. I will definitely try some of the suggestions that I found on here. Thanks to everyone that shared their experiences. My experience now feels validated in this regard.

I'm not sure if we all have the same cause of this problem but I also get extremely itchy legs when I exercise and it is pure torture!! However, I switched from clariton for my regular allergies to Zyrtec and it totally keeps it under control! I didn't realize how well until I forgot to take it for a few days... I forgot how much this can drive you completely insane! Hope this helps some of you.

I live in South Florida and on hot, humid days where it has just finished raining...Ooohh!!! I can't stand it! To see a puddle, or to inhale certain scents outside is the worst. I try walking very slow but the itch is still there. I just turned 30 and experience the itching in the same areas...gonna try the Gold Bond and see if it helps. I'm not crazy! Yess

Oh and I forgot to say that I gained weight recently, it maybe the cause of it as well. Let's all lose weight and then report if it still itches.

Yeah my legs itch too. It was usually just in the winter, but today it was hot and I went for a walk (long pants) and everything just itched. What can we do??

I don't want to sound redundant but I have experienced almost every symptom that you guys have been describing.I'm only 15 and it has been happening ever since i was very small. Whenever I tell my friends and family about it they think it's strange and funny. My sister doesn't even like taking walks with me because the itching makes me really aggravated.

It's especially worse when it's cold. But it doesn't bother me as much when its warm out and i'm walking at my own slow pace.

-Fifa

I guess this gets media attention but not very often.

I have this same problem. I hurt so bad and feel so gross that I have to stop. I would love to be part of a study to help others

So what is it? I have had it for years. It seems to be around the vein areas or fatter areas. No one has really answered. It's always walking or running. It's not allergic, heat or cold or pants. It I believe the blood is flowing and causing it to itch. Not sure but it's what I think.

I thought i was the only one!!! man when i take a 10 minute walk outside like if i go to the store or something...especially if I'm wearing jeans my legs begin to itch very badly. it starts in my feet then up my legs then my butt and sometimes even my hands!!! i rush home as quickly as i can and turn the shower on because i feel dirty then hop in the shower itching like crazy!!! but the hot water helps until it stops. then when i get out i glaze my body with vaseline. i thought i was weird or something

I can't believe what I am reading. I have had this problem for years. I have asked people about it and most look at me strange. Although my mother seems to have it sometimes, so I leads me to believe it's genetic.

It doesn't matter what the temp. is outside (although cold is worse) I itch so bad it feels like torture. I notice it is worse as I gain more fat in certain areas. But today, even my *toes were itchy*! It's more of a vibration thing. I use creams and have tried many types of soap. It doesn't matter. It's only diminshed through pressing through the torture a little at a time. I can work up to 1 mile with no problems for awhile, then I add more than that and it comes back although not with the same fierceness it does after inactivity.

I don't want to take benadryl, because i don't feel like being tired most of the day just so I can walk.

I can bike without getting tired, but to walk is bonafide torture. Looking for a magic cure...that doesn't make me tired all day!

I've had itchy legs since childhood. I was a pretty active child, so I don't know if my itch is due to being out of shape. My symptoms aren't quite as bad as those many of you have posted (I don't get the grossed out feeling. Just an uncontrollable urge to itch). Sometimes when I walk long distances, my thighs become very itchy towards the end of the walk. When I run it occurs around 15 minutes into the run. It doesn't matter what I wear either, and it doesn't happen all the time--just once in a while.

The strangest thing is that when I'm playing sports, I don't notice it. Does anyone know why my legs itch when I just run for exercise, and not when I play sports?

The itchy exercise and dirt panic have been happening to me for years. I just turned 31 a few days ago.

It's bad when I do floor or step aerobics or walk on my treadmill, but worse when I'm walking or jogging outside. It only happens after I've begun exercising after long periods of inactivity (weeks or months).

When I begin to exercise after periods of inactivity, the itching begins quickly, but I can exercise through it in about 20-30 minutes. It's agonizing to exercise through it, but I have to or else I can't work out at all.

Luckily for me, the itchiness goes away completely as I become fitter. After two or three weeks of consistent activity, like, walking at least 30 minutes daily, the itching is no longer an issue. That's the only solution I have--get fit and stay fit.

I Googled this problem years ago with very few results. I decided to Google it again today and found many results!

After my last Google search I tried OTC antihistimines to see if they would help but they didn't help me, I still itched. Perhaps they weren't strong enough.

What I'm most excited about finding today is people posting their experiences with dirt panic. In the past, I found threads/articles discussing itching but none about filth panic until today!

For me, a few minutes after the itching begins, filth anxiety begins too. Everything I look at or think about seems unclean, and I get very panicked and irritable.

I obsess about animal feces if I'm walking outside--afraid I'll see some or step in some.

I freak out at the sight of wet decaying leaves on the pavement. Their patterns on the sidewalk disgust me.

I feel like the dirt on the soles of my shoes will move into my shoes and crawl up my body.

I try to figure out what I'll do with my tainted shoes when I get home. They're repulsive since they've been outside touching the ground.

Everything I see is rotting, vile, stinking nastiness. I think about getting home to escape all the filth outside, but then think that my house isn't clean enough either.

While this panic (and it is just that... pure panic) is happening I try to *force* myself to focus on other things or try to talk myself out of it.

I ask myself things like, "What's the worst thing that can happen if you do see dog poop?" The answer is nothing, of course, but this anxiety is nonsensical and there's no reasoning with it.

Even as I'm experiencing these thoughts and feelings, I know they're irrational, but that doesn't prevent them.

A few times, I've been out walking and nearly started crying because I was so panicky and in such anxiety about getting dirty or seeing dog poop or decaying plants. It sounds so silly right now that it makes me chuckle as I type this, but it is no laughing matter when it's happening. It's absolute hell.

There is relief for me, however. Once I make it through my exercise session--past the point of itching after about 30 minutes--then I start to calm down. The thoughts are still there but not as frequent or as powerful so I can talk myself into relaxing.

By the time I return home I'm basically okay with only a tiny bit of residual itch and I'm far less creeped out about filth.

I've explained this to my friends and family and no one knows what I'm talking about. My mom thinks I'm a nutcase with regard to the feelings of disgust I experience.

The itching and anxiety happen when I exercise at home too, but the paranoia isn't as bad at home because I feel like my surroundings are cleaner than outside. I don't worry about animal feces, but I freak out thinking about dirt having been tracked into the house on shoes.

What is this odd psychological effect that can accompany exercise itch? I've read a few explanations about the itching but none about the dirt anxiety. What in the world does one have to do with the other?

I've always been a walker, but did not experience the itchy legs and thighs unless I walked a long distance. If I walked on consecutive days, the itching would not occur on the third day.

Now 51 (female), I run. During training for the 10k, I did not itch at all, maybe because I was consistent. But this morning (about 70 degrees and humid), my legs itched. It was a total surprise. Not my lower legs, but my inner thighs. Even my belly itched a little. I just ran three days ago, and played tennis yesterday, so I did not expect the itching. I kept running through the discomfort, which was not as severe as it sometimes is. I think I will take the daily antihistamine that I've just read about today, and see if that helps.

This is amazing. I just came in from walking with my boyfriend and he swears to never walk with me again because I scratched the whole time we walked. I learned of this when I started running track in 7th grade. Now I am 28. Today if I walk a mile it itches in the first 10 min then stops. Tomorrow I can walk a mile without itching but if I try to walk 2 it starts to itch again. Thank so much for proving my sanity.

wow glad i'm not the only one! i don't get the accompanied disgusted feeling but i do feel incredibly irritable when it happens! it started in highschool when i would take my dog for walks and thought he had fleas. but then it started happening more often and is occasionally so bad that i'll run back home as hard as possible just to take my mind off the itching! it only happens on occasion though, and to be honest, i think using a moisturizing soap helps a lot.

I am so Thankful to see these comments about itchy legs and this gross out feelings. I thought I was the only one with this problem. I agree with the person who said that we should contact Dr. Oz about this. He will know what to do.

It's interesting that someone suggested it could be related to thyroid issues. I have "subclinical" hypothyroidism and other hormone/endocrine problems. In the past year, I've also developed neuropathy in my feet and I wonder if there could be a correlation?

*dances for joy*

I'm going to echo the "glad this is real" sentiment.

The itching for me happens mostly when I wear long stiff pants (like jeans) and I walk for more than about twenty minutes. For me the itch is unpleasant, but the feeling of disgust is the worst! I have to walk to my ballet class because I attend a nearby college and there are points when I just have to look straight up because the dirty puddles on the sidewalk and even the weeds near it are absolutely repulsive.

I do recall having the itching feeling a little bit when I ran sometimes, even when I wore shorts but it was usually on cold, dry, days. I didn't have the feeling of disgust though, ugh, it's so awful! And I find myself just being mad that the world is so dirty!

It's strange, though, because I just went to New York City and walked about half an hour through town to get to a certain store from the train station and I didn't experience this itching sensation at all.

ok this is my obligatory "i can't believe i'm not nuts" and "i didn't know this happened to anyone else" lol seriously i didn't and i never even told this to anyone until i told my wife a few weeks ago because this just didn't make any sense to me

like brian383838 i suffer also from the skin condition Seborrheic Dermatitis so who knows if it's related

i'm 6'2" 34 y.o. 175 pounds grew up in the Caribbean playing football (soccer) all my life and i never noticed this before up until a few years ago though like 3-4 maybe it's been occurring but i honestly can't pin-point when it started. all i know is i was very active as a kid and it never bothered me but maybe i am not as active now. so when i do now like playing a game of pickup soccer i get these itches on my lower body especially me thighs and back of me knees. i even get them when i do light walking. for example a few days ago i took my toddler walking to the nearby park and 5 minutes on i swear i thought i was going to pass out when the itching started with the ball of my feet and mostly where my sneakers touched my foot, ankles man i was just breathing heavy until i got there

took off my shoes and socks right there while my kid was on the slide lol

thankfully i live in socal and only visit nyc from time to time but i have always had this weird reaction to certain patterns, filth and stuff like animal (and human) poop

seriously i can't believe other people had to deal with this and no it's not a cliche`. i am gonna try some of the suggestions i've been reading here because i see a little stomach bulge that i need to get rid of sitting around wishing it will go away won't work

wow that was long, ricky

Oh my god!!! I have also had the itching and disgust feeling!!! I experienced it the other day when I walked my dog. I was less than a block away from the house and I couldn't look at *anything.* The smallest specimen of dirt had me skeeved out! I walked in the house and stripped off all of my clothes and scratched until my skin was raw.

It is so embarassing. People who don't experience it, don't understand and act like I am flippin' crazy.

I have tried everything...Different socks. Different shoes. Different workout clothing. The only thing that work are anti-histamines.

oh my gosh...I'm not alone...I thought I was the weird one!!!

My dad is a doctor and I have about 3 doctors in our family and no one could figure out what this is. I feel disgusted at everything I see when this itching starts. Wow. Just so glad that I'm not alone.

Mine started when I was so young. Can't remember when I started noticing it. But thanks to this I have always been a completely indoor person. I enviously look at people out running and being active. Hope there's a medicine for this disease.

Like most everyone, it's great to see that I'm not alone in this. I'm 30 y.o., and I have experienced this since high school. It does not matter for me what the weather is, warm or cool, nor environment (inside or outside). But it only happens with high impact exercise, like walking or running, as I can ride a bike indefinitely with no problems. It seems to be worse when I have long pants on, but the material is not relevant. I'm surprised that an antihistamine may work as a treatment; I'll have to give it a try.

I have exactly the same thing.

Glad to know that I am *not alone*!

I will definitely try the antihistamine 1/2 before going on a walk. The strangest thing, it doesn't happen every time I walk. But when it does, it is crazy, my legs get really warm too.

Since little I had all kinds of allergies, skin specially when eating certain foods. They are now almost all gone, but the leg, stomach, but specially leg itching, still continues. Hate it! So annoying.

Thank you for listening.

Oooh my days!!!! I am am glad that I can tell my family that I am not actually mad!!! Every time I am walking or running the itching starts and it is immediately followed by feeling disgusted/freaked out by any dirt on the side walk. I at times stop and say "I can't stand this!!" As I feel like everywhere I walk there is dirt!! Even gravel or lumps of tar on the road freak me out. This gets worse when I scratch and when going down the hill. I really feel for you guys!!

I have experienced this itching sensation when running for years. This condition has a name: cholinergic urticaria, which is a reaction to increase in body heat. For me it hasn't had anything to do with not having exercised for a period of time, with what I am wearing or with the weather. The only way I have been able to control it is by regularly taking allergy medicine. Articles regarding this condition suggest taking loratadine (Claritine). I personally take Xyzal, and it helps me. If I stop taking it for a few days, the itchiness comes back. And I also get the feeling of disgust for any dirt or litter I see when I get the itchiness, which is the weirdest thing and for that I have not found and explanation yet.

What kind of antihistamine are you guys taking? Does it make you sleepy? I need help fast because I signed up for the Breast Cancer 3Day Walk.

I've been working out on an exercise bike quite regularly for months now, and lost twenty pounds. Now after about fifteen minutes of exercise, on the bike or walking I get the unbearable itch.

Antihistamines do work, but I hate taking more pills. I'm a diabetic and have been able to reduce my medication since the weight loss is helping to regulate my sugar levels. At first I thought I was becoming hypoglycemic (low sugar), but my sugar levels are fine even while the itch is there.

This itch is mostly on my legs, but occurs all over my body. I hope it`s temporary for me, but I feel a sense of empathy for those who deal with this all the time.

This is exactly what happened to me tonight (mind you it is about 30 something degrees outside), I put on some jeans and took the dog for a walk and my legs just started itching like crazy from my ankles up to my waist. It was a little unbearable, and I too started to get that creepy feeling where everything was beginning to creep me out, I thought I was going crazy for a minute. Anyway, I know that I have Sebhoreic Dermatitis, but I am not sure if it has anything to do with it. 2/4/2009

I'm so glad that I am not the only one! I suffered from this leg itch for many years and started taking antihistamines in the morning which has helped.

This is exactly what I've been looking for. When you feel like you're the only one experiencing something, it makes you feel even more like there's something really wrong with you. But finding this discussion board has been very comforting.

I was very active as a kid and never experienced any itching of any kind, but now at 27, probably within the last 3-4 years, wearing jeans has become excruciating after a few minutes of walking. I've tried to explain this to my fiance and my parents but it doesn't make sense to them. I enjoy running, but it is just too unbearable, especially in the winter.

That weird "grossed-out" feeling happens all the time. I've lived in San Francisco and L.A. and I just moved to New York City, and of all of these places NYC is the most disgusting physically, especially underground. Don't get me wrong, the people here are awesome, the town is exciting and fun, but it's just dirty, and I personally can't seem to handle it. It makes me feel like I have a psychological problem because I rush down the sidewalk past all the grime and grit and gum to get to my apartment... so that I can then immediately strip down and vigorously scratch my legs until I'm satisfied. It sounds silly, but it's horrible. Makes me feel crazy!! I can't wait 'til I'm able to relocate.

The most relief I've found is from wearing flowing skirts in the summer (bliss), but I know our fellow males can't really do that (unless you just like to.)

Hi, everyone...A couple weeks ago, I left a message on the Oprah Winfrey Show website for Dr. Mehmet Oz (Dr. Oz), explaining our situation.... One person's plea may have no affect. So, do you all think it will do any good if we all leave a message for Dr. Oz regarding our problem? Somebody has to know something definite about what's going on. We deserve to be able to live our lives free of the agony and discomfort of our dilemma. Perhaps Dr. Oz (or the Oprah staff) will take more notice if receive more than one request for help. Yours truly, Penny.

I cried when I read people's comments. It is not in my mind after all. I thought I was the only one who had intense itchiness when out walking (happens in all types of weather) and that associated feeling of being grossed out with anything and everything. Things such as clusters of things such as peas, wriggling worms and so on gross me out as well. It certainly restricts you from walking and being outdoors. I have often had to stop and scratch my body to death whilst out walking (talk about intense and mind bending itchiness). Hopefully one day someone would actually find out what it is and how we can all get permanent relief from this horrible condition.

I've experienced itchy legs when walking since I was around years old. One doctor suggested taking an oral antihistamine before walk or exercise. I've followed his advice and it works! The antihistamine should be taken at least 30 minutes prior to walking so it has time to take effect.

I always keep a tube of topical antihistamine in my bag as a backup, but it doesn't seem to really help once the itching starts.

Wow, I'm surprised there's so many people that experience this. Mine started back in high school, and no one knew what I was talking about! Not even my doctor.

My experience is very similar as described by others. It is such an intense itch, and it goes from my ankles up to the bottom of my butt. Front, back, sides, everywhere! Occasionally, even my stomach will itch.

I've read all the things about detergents, soap, etc, or possibly foods, and I don't think that has anything to do with what we experience. I don't itch every day, and if I begin to itch while walking, I can slow down or stop, wait until the itch goes away, begin again and maintain a slower pace, and be fine.

Also, I can do low-impact exercises (ellipticals, bike, etc) as long as I want and be perfectly fine. It's just walking and running (high impact) that I experience the insane itching.

For me, I've found using Gold Bond anti-itch will completely eliminate the itching for me. I just apply the powder to my legs and any other spots that experience the itching sensation, go running, and I don't experience any itching at all. The only downside is that I am self-conscious about the powder and sometimes feel embarrassed by it (even though it's hardly noticeable by others). But now that I get to do activities I love to do, the embarrassment is beginning to go away. Plus, I now use extra strength, and so I use even less!

Hope this provides a good solution to you guys...It's worked wonders for me.

WOW...I thought I was the only one suffering from this!

For me, it started right after I was involved in a minor car accident. I'd been sitting in the backseat of a cab that collided with another car. Upon impact, I slid forward and slammed my shins into the drivers seat. My legs, of course, were quite swollen and sore, not to mention bruised, but thankfully, nothing was broken. I had X-rays taken and was thoroughly examined. I was told everything was okay and that I'd just need some time to heal.

Well, the healing process itched like hell, so I paid no mind to that initially. I was just grateful to have no broken bones. I was quite stiff and to be honest, my legs have never felt quite the same since. Once the swelling and bruising went away, every time I walked quickly, walked around for extended periods of time, exercised or ran, my legs would go up in flames and itch like crazy! I'd even find myself scratching my legs in my sleep if I'd been walking around a lot the previous da. This led me to tear up my skin to the point that I had to wear pants instead of skirts because of the scabs and scarring.

To this day, some four years later, I still have the same problem. Because of it, I have come to believe that many of the blood vessels in my legs were damaged in the accident and when I walk a lot, exercise, or run, the increased blood flow sends my legs into crisis mode! I honestly don’t know what to do about it at this point. What’s worse, is that my legs also tend to itch uncontrollably if I sit around for too long and I work in an office LOL. So, I have to move around, but not too much...UGH *sigh*

Oh my goodness, I experienced this just this evening as I walked into the city centre. My legs were itching so badly that I had to scratch them all over and then I noticed there were small circular water stains on the pavements just near to a step made of something with a pumice-like texture, I began to hyperventilate and panic and I thought I was going to scream then my eyes began filling with tears. I have never been so afraid/repulsed as today. Is there anybody who knows what causes this? Like Penny78, I am iron-deficient anemic and I am a carrier for sickle cell trait.

I am glad to know that I am not the only one that experiences itchy legs. I get this itch when it is cold; I have no problem when it's warm or hot. It get it on my legs, butt and lower back and abdomen. Today, before I went for a walk, I put as much moisturizer on my legs and all the other parts that tend to itch. It didn't help and I had to cut my walk short. I like to walk but the itching is unbearable!

Imagine living in gross New York City and experiencing the leg itch/disgust with disgust. It is excruciating! This is especially the case when walking in a subway station. There is so much grim, black gum and filth of all natures that you focus in and and drive yourself crazy associating with the itch.

Finally I am not NUTS. I started experiencing itchy legs when i was 12 years old. I am now 36 and it happens each time that I walk or run. I love to run but that is not in my things to do right now because of this itchy legs. Each time I try I will have to stop for a couple of minutes. It doesn't matter whether its warm or cold. I have lived in the tropics as well as in the US it happens during all seasons. I hardly go for long walks and when you are walking with friends and you stop and tell them they look at you very funny. I hope someone has a miracle out there.

I am so relieved to see that I am not the only one whose legs itch after trying to walk or run for exercise. I have recently gained weight and have not worked out consistently in a while. I just started a walking plan today and I had to cut my workout short. I immediately ran to yahoo to find out what causes this itch. I itch in my thighs, butt, and lower back; which is where I gained the most weight. I will press through my workout because this is for the birds.

this is MrsKrs, I posted some great answers to our shared problem, but they removed it b/c it contained o/websites so basically my advice to everyone is to look up natural antihistamines b/c that is our cure! I researched this a great deal online and turns out it's an actual allergy within our limbs...well of sorts. The capillaries in our veins freak out and respond very rapidly to keep up with our body's need to increase our body temperature/blood flow and they press on our nerves which causes the crazy itchy feeling, and my opinion also causes some kind of psychological response to link a visual cue to all the minute and numerous affected nerves. Anyway, antihistamines will relieve this feeling. I have been eating apples and red grapes and taking a benadryl before walking and it has really helped!! I am so thankful! Do your homework folks, their is relief in sight!

Same here. I get increasingly itchy legs anywhere there's fat actually. It happens when I haven't done med-high impact exercises for awhile. I think it's the combination of the impact and the circulation of blood through fatty areas. I also get that freaked out "feeling of disgust" where anything remotely unclean causes me to absolutely panic. One day I was on a beautiful hike but as things progressed I couldn't take it. It was also a horse trail and the horse droppings all along the way made me absolutely insane. I started running past them and not breathing when I passed them because I couldn't stand it.

The good news is that with enough impact exercises it eventually goes away. But that first time after a long time of not having run - is like torture.

oh my goodness! you'll never know how thankful i am to read this. I thought I was the only one that got itchy and then grossed out by garbage or mud on the sidewalk. I just got in from a walk and went to Google right away because the itching and feeling of disgust was so bad. I wish there was an answer but at least i'm not alone....

I experience the same thing -- my legs get itchy when i walk or run. It happens more so when it is cold out, and more so when I am wearing jeans. It is often worse when going downhill.

The strangest thing is that I also get this "feeling of disgust" mentioned by other posters, and I cannot believe that others actually share this experience. When my legs are itching, any piece of gum on the sidewalk or oily or muddy puddle will completely and utterly freak me out and make me itch more! It happened on time on a very dirty city street and I thought i was going to lose my mind -- I almost started crying because i felt that the filth was just surrounding me and just grossing me out so badly -- it makes you want to jump into a hot shower immediately. Bizarre!!! Can any doctor tell me what this could be?

Ok, so I have had this issue as well. I consider myself a pretty fit person. What has helped me is taking a reactin in the evenings. My walk is usually in the mornings. When I take that reactin I don't have the problem. Of course, you should talk to your doctor first. Just a suggestion.

i have always had this also... i can work out on an elliptical machine for an hour and have no problem.

reading all these things has really confirmed my opinions about the symptoms. anyone that suggests it is clothing, detergents, etc.. is crazy and has obviously never experienced this kind of thing before. I

if i run, in the first 5 minutes i get an itch from the back of my knees, up through my thighs, my butt, my waist/torso, all the way up my stomach to right under my ribs.

it is the worst itchy feeling ever.. thankfully, i know I can push through it. tonight it lasted five minutes before it went away. it is very hard to push through it. the itch is soo deep and strong and all over. from past experience though I know that if I continue to work out/run for a period of time over a few weeks, the itch will eventually be defeated. it takes a higher level of fitness to get past it. what I found strange though is now I am in very good shape from doing the elliptical, but just changing to running immediately triggered it. you'd think the muscles would be used to the exercise. when i started kicking my legs up while running, the itch intensified very quickly. this is consistent with what someone else reported in regards to feeling it even more when "bouncing" down a hill.

i have talked to doctors about this before, and they think I am nuts. glad to read that sooo many other folks are affected. it makes walking outside in the cold impossible.

The bouncing for me too, like jumping off something to get on the ground or jumping rope AAAGGGHHHH!

i came from a country in Asia and our weather is not as extreme as like here in the US. Our summers are hot but humid and we dont have winter time. I first experience this itchiness while walking during my Kindergarten days and i hated it so much because i love walking even up to now that I am 29 years old the itching hasnt stopped. even though i still experience the itching i try to bear with it and walk miles to go to places. I just find it embarrassing at times that i have to stop from time to time just to rest my legs. and have people staring at me while i relieve myself by scratching and having all of these start again as soon as i resume walking. i thought i was the only one that has this because my roomie is a doctor and even she cannot give me answers.

It is so good to know that I'm not the only one who suffers from this. I first noticed it about 10 years ago. Whenever I go out walking, especially in cold weather I get a terrible itch. As everyone has noted scratching makes it a lot worse. Like penny78 I also get a feeling of disgust/nausea associated with puddles, wet leaves and dirt at these times. All I want to do then is get back indoors! For me it's definitely to do with poor circulation as if I do regular exercise the episodes stop. So starting a new phase of exercising can be a bit daunting knowing I have to go through the itching.

Another thing I've noticed is it's more likely to occur the more I bounce (e.g. bouncing down a hill or jogging). Anyway as more people report this phenomenon online the more likely there'll be a proper investigation by the professionals.

Great lead article and comments! I'm not happy to see there are others experiencing this rather uncomfortable itching phenomenon. You all have my deepest sympathy. I've been dealing with this itching nonsense since about five years old. I remember doing a lot of crying while walking. It has been a complete and utter misery. So much so, I can't wait to die. I don't enjoy my life. I hate going out for a walk even though, like "Anon15194", I don't mind doing so. Up until four years ago, I cringed at the thought of walking more than a block, especially in the wintertime, when the itching was guaranteed to occur every time I took a step outside. I rarely would get more than a few steps before my skin began to sting (maybe 'pinch' is a better word). I can't tell how many tears I've shed because of the discomfort. When I try to explain to someone what I'm feeling it's impossible, no one gets it; they say then just scratch. I can't. What happens for me is that on cold days (that includes temps below 75 degrees and days when the humidity is moderate to low) sometimes as soon as I get outside, my skin will either immediately begin to sting and pinch or one block along, I get this warm feeling on my lower legs that works its way up to the thighs, quickly becoming a faint throb like a vibration. And not a comforting one. Then my legs start to itch and sting—no warm feeling. By this time I'm three or four blocks along my destination. Then I feel pins and needles with a pulsing heat and if I dare scratch—It's very tempting—I'll get increased stinging and pinching and the heat really turns up (not a comforting warmth, let me tell you). Now if I stop at a corner to cross the street, the feeling subsides a tad bit but soon as I take another step—WHAM!—the sensations continue on as before. And it's more than just the sensations. I haven't described them all that well. There is a weird visual correlation that sets the itching off (all seasons) or makes it worse. Seeing filth on the ground—even a piece of gum on the sidewalk—dog poo, vomit and stains on the sidewalk sends me into a panic (I've had to live in some nasty environments) and the ultimate killers are dirt, mud and filthy black snow. They send me into near heart failure because if my skin wasn't itching before then, it will be by then. Seeing filth—just knowing it is there—no matter the season makes my skin react. Hell, it's itching right now just talking about. I originally thought this was an indoor thing, but two years ago, I stepped into a mall department store on a hot summer day and five steps in my skin immediately protested (there was no air conditioning). There was no itching, my skin went straight to stinging and pinching quicker than I've ever known it could. Talk about having a comfort zone snatched away. Since I moved into my current apt. the itching hasn't been as often nor as bad, but last winter was edgy and already this summer, my skin's been reacting. So now I'm worried, because I don't have money for testing and probing. Never have. I had to walk seven blocks in 28 degree weather. I'd wear five or six layers (including undies) and a heavy men's leather coat that came nearly to the ankles. By the fourth block I could feel the stinging begin. My body does two things. It either gets too warm or it doesn't retain heat. I can't figure out how to dress from one day to the next. It's a crap shot. I got to work one day, my fingers were red, swollen and throbbing and warm against my face but my thighs were cold and red. Taking a shower is an ordeal, as well.

I think the itching is from a combination of things it's the chlorine in the water (and rusty water pipes), the chemicals in the soap, as well as the dyes in the clothes, the rough textures (of jeans), the vibration of walking as "Tintelina" mentioned, even having something touch my skin just moderately, will later cause my skin to react first in that exact area. This isn't fair. It really isn't. I want to enjoy walking without constantly being in fear when or if the itching will occur. Oh, by the way, I agree with "anon17830" that it may be circulatory in nature. That coupled with pollen allergies, the fact that I have iron deficient anemia (incidentally, I don't think iron pills work) and have Sickle Cell Trait is giving me quite the work-over. Lotions and creams are useless—you can't possibly strip naked in the middle of the sidewalk to apply it and using them beforehand is pointless. However, using liquid baby soaps, baby detergents and not allowing shampoos and conditioners to rinse onto my skin (in the shower) did seem to help.

I've been experiencing itchy legs when walking (under certain conditions) for about 15 years. For me it occurs when temperatures are cooler (usually cooler than 70 degrees outside). As I'm walking and my body begins warming up from the exertion, my legs begin to itch, and they feel cold to the touch, even though I feel warm "inside". The itching can occur whether my legs are exposed or covered by clothing (ie wearing shorts or pants). The itching stops within a minute or two of me stopping walking, but will begin again a few minutes after I resume.

It took me a long time to finally figure out that my "condition" has to do with temperature, and not with what I'm wearing, whether I've shaved my legs, or lotions etc. I tried wearing different clothing while walking, I tried not shaving, using lotion, not using lotion, and every combination of these; it made no difference. What does make a difference for me is the temperature I'm walking in. If it's warm or hot out, I don't experience any itching whatsoever and can walk/jog as much as I want. If it's cool, the itching is inevitable as soon as my body begins to warm up (usually within 15 min.). If I'm jogging, it happens more quickly, but the itching goes away once I break into a sweat.

I personally feel, and this isn't based on anything but my own experiences, that this type of itching is some type of circulatory issue--when my body temperature is rising because of exertion, something triggers the itching. If I'm working up a sweat, the itching goes away during that time. The doctor I spoke with regarding this suggested that I "warm-up" indoors, which would mean getting to the point of sweating before going out and taking a walk. This helps, but for me it also kind of defeats the purpose--by the time I'm sweating, I'm not always ready to then go take a walk.

I've read that one possible underlying cause for this could be thyroid hormone issues. This is interesting because I have Graves disease (a form of hyperthyroidism), however I've been treated for it and my thyroid levels have been normal for years, yet I still get itchy legs. It makes my wonder if the cause could be related to Graves, but just not the factors of the disease that affect the thyroid.

I experience this annoying itch too. I've gone to my doctor, and a Natropath, and received no answers. It happens in any weather, and yet not all the time. I've tried different clothing, with no success. I've taken different supplements to help circulation, with no success. It's very frustrating. I wish someone knew a way to combat this evil itch, I love walking so much, but some days I just can't. And it's really frustrating!!

My skin itches from the combination of the skin being cool and the vibration from the steps. It doesn't have to be particularly cold outside. It can be a pretty warm day, but the skin might be cool still, and that, combined with the jiggle from the the walking makes it itch. I've thought of buying some kind of special long underwear or pants that are designed to keep heat in, but I'd rather find out the root cause and see if I can correct it. Long pants in the heat of summer isn't too comfortable.