Itchy skin from too much time in the hot room- help!

Hello Alyssa

Have you always had this problem with hot yoga and itching or is it a recent development? I gather that if you already have a dermatologist that you would already know what normally sets you off! Things like washing powders and stress and so on…

Are you a teacher? Is that why you spent 5 hours there or were you attending classes and workshops?

Can you tell me if you get itchy the moment you start yoga, or if it is just in the heat that causes it?

It’s a difficult situation because sometimes just the thought of being itchy or the fear of having to scratch if itchy can fulfill the prophecy. This is not just psychobabble. Just start scratching in front of someone or wiping your nose and they’ll soon be doing the same. So I thought I’d throw the mental aspect in right from the get-go.

What are your thoughts?

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

hmm, this is an interesting post. it’s the first time I have heard of it outside of China. I live in Shanghai, and studios here are starting to have a hard time finding teachers, as most are Chinese girls who refuse to teach hot because they say it causes skin problems. Chinese girls have very sensitive skin (they rarely expose themselves to the sun, for example). I teach almost every day and have never had a problem (I’m not Asian). there are a lot of complications unique to teaching hot yoga in China, though, due to TCM ideas on hot/cold in the body…. still it’s extremely popular due to the belief that Hot yoga is the fastest route to weight loss. ah, sorry, I digressed quite a bit! but anyway, I too am interested to hear the itchy skin question answered!!

Hi

The anti-dandruff shampoo application may mean the problem is fungal infection. It is worth a try. The hot room could be a culprit here and people have different levels of susceptibility.

Alyssa, I have found that something I learned in meditation class helps me with things like itches. In fact the last time I was at a Vipassana 10 day silent meditation course, there was a young man there who had terrible excema and itchiness and the technique helped him too.

It is to acknowledge the impermanence of everything in your reality; the way things change, the way sensations are not static. When we do recognize the impermanence we learn to accept and even embrace the temporary nature of an experience. I like to say (even repeat) the words “this too shall pass”.

Sure it will take practice but as you know the mere fact that you scratch makes you more itchy. The skin gets hotter and even more irritated and more itchy. Leaving it alone is key. Perhaps this will give you a mental edge when you need it to take your focus to all areas of your body and not just the itch.

I would really love to know if this works even in some small way for you.

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

It’s funny as these two women didn’t have dry skin. I think the rash has been gone over a week now. When it comes back, they plan on applying the shampoo. I thought it was funny but if it happens to me, I’ll try it too!! 😉

My mom has suffered from itchy skin for years. She triple rinses her laundry, never wears wool or even long sleeves! It has gotten worse since she staretd hot yoga, but like allysa she refuses to give yoga up! Finally she went to a dermatoligist. She said my mom had Atopic Dermatitis (eczema). This disease is common in infants and children but they usually outgrow it. My mom experiences “hot spots” which is severe and intense itching. This is when she is going about her day when all of a sudden she experiences such an urge to itch she wants to cut off the part of her body that is bothering her! The doctor said it might be related to hay fever but, there is no known cause. It might also be caused by a underling staph infection for which she has been given an antibiotic. The doctor also said extereme temperature changes as well as sweating makes it worse. The doctor recomended a cream called Moisturel, the cream not the lotion’ and to apply it while the skin is still wet. It is rather expensive but you do not need a perscription. She also recomended staying away from the heaters in class! My mom has finally found releif from the intense itching and is still able to practice hot yoga. Life is good!!!

Any other ideas? My skin has been itching like crazy for about 6 weeks. I’ve tried pretty much everything and nothing seems to help. To the person who said their mom used Moisturel. Is that what she thinks cured the problem?

I, too, experience a blotchy type rash and was wondering how to handle. I had spots in my underarm area and on the back of my upper thigh. I’ve just tried topical ointments to stop the itching, but want something to help it go away. I’ll try the selsun blue idea, as I’d read that somewhere else, too. Funny, my underarm issue when I stopped using a stick deorderant and began using an aerosol. I know…bad for environment, but issue went away. I don’t want to stop hot yoga, either, so doing my best to keep areas dry after practice. Appreciate any and all advice!

Thank you for the advice, Gabrielle. I’ll look for it here in MO, but will try the website if I can’t find it. I tried the Selsun blue idea and it actually worked. I just dabbed it on with cotton ball daily and it helped the irritation go away. Now I just try and get out of sweaty clothes as soon as class is over. Just can’t give up hot yoga! Thanks so much. Absolutely love your website! 🙂

Have you tried a gluten-free diet? I also suffered from intense itchiness following yoga practice (and lasting a few days!). It helped if I brought a spare shirt to change into following practice because I really couldn’t even drive home I was so uncomfortable. After going on a gluten-free diet, however, I noticed this problem went away completely. I can tolerate being in sweaty clothes all day where I couldn’t before. I have tried to add gluten back to my diet many times, but it wasn’t worth it. It also made my scalp itch. Good luck!

Hi Eileen

Any updates on your condition? Did you work out a solution?

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂