I just found out that my strange leg itching condition has a name and that I’m not crazy after all! It’s called Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis (aka Itchy Leg Syndrome). I’m allergic to EXERCISE. Not just strenuous exercise – I can’t even WALK to the video rental store that’s literally a 3-5 MINUTE walk away.
I’ve had this for maybe five or so years and it only occurs when I’m walking. However, it seems to be getting worse, and more frequent. It doesn’t happen every single time that I walk, which makes it difficult for me to figure out exactly what is causing it. We went to the zoo the other weekend and I walked for over three hours and was fine, but a short walk to the video rental store the other day had me ripping off my clothes and scratching my skin off when I got home. It has never happened while I was out grocery shopping, or walking around the mall. It seems to only happen when I’m walking outside and usually occurs after I’ve been walking for about four or five minutes. It starts with my legs, stomach and butt cheeks itching, which then turns into a hot burning feeling and is usually followed by weakness and exhuastion. By the time I make it back home I am slightly swollen and bright red and my head is pounding. I can’t even count how many times I’ve been caught walking down the street with my hands down my pants scratching at myself. The itching & burning is so intense that it brings on something that feels almost like a panic attack and is probably the most unpleasant thing I have ever felt. My legs usually remain hot and red for up to an hour after I’ve stopped walking.
Symptoms of Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis include:
• Fatigue
• Severe itching (pruritus)
• Reddening of the skin
• Breathing difficulties
• Giant hives (including angioedema of the face, palms and soles)
• Blood-pressure drop (hypotension)
• Fainting (syncope)
• Choking
• Nausea and vomiting
• Vascular collapse
• Abdominal cramps
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Swelling of the face, tongue and hands
• Loss of consciousness
Luckily, I’ve only ever experienced six of the above symptoms. I’d like to make a doctor’s appointment when we get back to Canada to see if there are ways to control this. The only other option is to stop walking, which isn’t really an option.
Do you think you might have Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis? Share your experience in the comment field below.
