# Itchy meat-- what causes it? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 11, 2002, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/itchy-meat-what-causes-it/136278 "2002-11-11T14:29:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/itchy-meat-what-causes-it/136278/1 "2002-11-11T14:29:51Z")
So, I’m watching Regis and Kelly (don’t think badly of me for that, O.K.?) and Kelly mentioned that her fat gets itchy when she walks for long periods or jogs. I’ve noticed this too (not on Kelly-- on me, silly). The itch starts on the more fatty parts of my legs and will progress to a burn after a while (or if I stupidly scratch). What causes this? Is there something I could do to prevent it? ---
**Author:** ![Judith\_Prietht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@Judith\_Prietht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Judith_Prietht)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/itchy-meat-what-causes-it/136278/2 "2002-11-11T16:04:12Z")
I always thought it was some kind of heat rash effect, with the itch starting in those unattractive folds and creases where air doesn’t reach (and presumably, I guess, bacteria would grow and further irritate me). The only way I knew to avoid it was to rinse off immediately after sweating, and to keep my skin as clean as possible. Don’t know if this answer helps any, since it’s purely anecdotal at this point. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/itchy-meat-what-causes-it/136278/3 "2002-11-11T16:19:01Z")
Golly, I love the Internet. 😃 Google, “itchy legs jogging”, and lo and behold, up comes “Itchy Leg Syndrome”. Seriously. It’s an allergy, take an antihistamine. > **[5 Common Causes of Itch During Exercise](https://www.verywellfit.com/itching-during-exercise-3120788)** > > Itching during exercise can be caused by allergy, non-allergic hives, and heat rash. Learn about the cause and symptoms of exercise-induced itch. > [@](#): > > Itchy Legs for Walkers > > …You are not alone: I have had a handful of writers ask me about itchy legs. When they walked, their legs became so itchy they just had to stop. Sometimes walking and jogging were the only exercises that produced this condition. > > Symptoms: Itching, swelling or hives on the legs, arms, torso or neck during or after exercise. May progress to an anaphylactic reaction - passing out or closing off your airway. > > Exercise Allergy #1: Cholinergic urticaria (itching) > > It is the rise in body temperature that produces the itching, swelling, and small hives that some people experience. People who have this may also experience the same reaction in hot tubs, saunas, and see that they are more likely to get it on hot days. This rarely leads to anaphylaxis - the life-threatening drop in blood pressure that can be fatal in major allergic reactions. > > Treatment: > > Antihistamines > Avoid exercising on warm or humid days > Reduce the intensity of your work-out > Stop exercising at the first sign of flushing, itchy skin or hives. Or you might be working out just after you’ve eaten something you’re allergic to–exercise enhances the effect. > [@](#): > > Exercise Allergy #2: Exercise-induced anaphylaxis You might also be allergic to your pants. > [@](#): > > Allergy #3: Itchy Pants Syndrome If scratching makes it worse, it’s definitely hives, BG. Dimetapp is the mildest antihistamine out there (get generic brand, it’ll work just fine), then Chlortrimeton, then Benadryl (which puts most people right to sleep). I’ve never tried any of the other newfangled “won’t put you to sleep” kind , so I dunno about them, but I have “heat allergy” myself (when it gets over 90 degrees my arms get itchy, whether I’m exercising or not), and one Chlortrimeton damps it down nicely. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/itchy-meat-what-causes-it/136278/4 "2002-11-11T16:22:02Z")
And the reason why showering immediately after exercising helps damp it down is because it’s heat-triggered, and showering cools you off. So you can stop being ashamed of your non-existent bacteria in your “folds and creases”, Judy. 😃 It’s just your immune system going out and getting drunk. they’re civil service, you can’t fire them ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/itchy-meat-what-causes-it/136278/5 "2002-11-11T16:54:59Z")
Shoot… I was hoping there was a new kind of Japanese beef. ---
**Author:** ![kniz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/c37758/32.png) [@kniz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kniz)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/itchy-meat-what-causes-it/136278/6 "2002-11-11T17:17:27Z")
> [@](#): > > **You might also be allergic to your pants.** [ul]😉 [sup] **Don’t you just love it?** [/sup][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Janx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Janx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Janx)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/itchy-meat-what-causes-it/136278/7 "2002-11-11T17:25:19Z")
Itchy meat…Hmmmmm ::Janx adds to list of potential rock band names:: ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/itchy-meat-what-causes-it/136278/8 "2002-11-11T17:39:42Z")
Now, really. Anyone open this thread thinking it was about jock itch? … hello? ---
**Author:** ![Duderdude2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cdc98d/32.png) [@Duderdude2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duderdude2)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/itchy-meat-what-causes-it/136278/9 "2002-11-11T18:31:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dantheman \* > \*\*Now, really. Anyone open this thread thinking it was about jock itch? > > … hello? \*\* Hahaha, I was just going to ask the same question. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/itchy-meat-what-causes-it/136278/10 "2002-11-11T19:30:24Z")
Yep, got me there. ---
**Author:** ![OldBroad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ed655f/32.png) [@OldBroad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldBroad)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/itchy-meat-what-causes-it/136278/11 "2002-11-11T19:44:15Z")
Wow! I apparently experience _Cholinergic urticaria_. I would never have associated it with exercise because I’m a strict non-exercise addict. But for some years now I’ve experienced a rash when I get over-heated and sweaty for any length of time. The first time it happened I was in the sun at a football game on a very warm early fall afternoon. Doctor said it was probably scabies, of all things. And it’s not just the fatty areas - I get it in the inside of my elbows. Frequent washing of the affected area, whenever possible, and a little cortisone cream have worked pretty well for me. ---
**Author:** ![Judith\_Prietht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@Judith\_Prietht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Judith_Prietht)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/itchy-meat-what-causes-it/136278/12 "2002-11-11T21:09:50Z")
Allergic to my pants, eh? That’s totally going in my personals ad. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/itchy-meat-what-causes-it/136278/13 "2002-11-11T21:49:42Z")
Great. I’m allergic to exercise. Just pass me the mumu and the pina colada. I ain’t getting off of this couch, it’s too dangerous. ---
**Author:** ![Velma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/85e7bf/32.png) [@Velma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velma)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/itchy-meat-what-causes-it/136278/14 "2002-11-11T22:34:48Z")
[Jimbo] Hey, baby, my shirt’s chafin’ me. Mind if I take it off? ::removes shirt:: I don’t believe this. Now my _pants_ are chafin’ me![/Jimbo] ---
**Author:** ![OldBroad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ed655f/32.png) [@OldBroad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldBroad)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2002, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/itchy-meat-what-causes-it/136278/15 "2002-11-11T23:01:57Z")
Not only that, **Biggirl** , but you must remain in an air conditioned environment and avoid stress. We must stay cool and calm at all times. No sweaty exercise, like housework for instance, nothing to stress our poor little selves. Now how can we get and MD to prescribe that???