Does your skin itch after using a massage gun? You are not alone. Many people know the unpleasant feeling after a massage. In the following article, I would like to tell you what causes the itchy feeling. I will also explain whether itching is dangerous and how you can prevent it.
Short Answer
As a rule, the skin itches after using a massage gun, because the massage stimulates blood circulation. However, there are other reasons. For example, the material of the massage attachment or a used massage oil can cause an allergic reaction. Another common reason is vibratory urticaria. This is a skin reaction to vibrations. This includes vibrations from the massage gun, but can also occur when jogging, riding a motorcycle, mowing the lawn and the like.
Long Answer
You have now learned in short form why the skin itches after using a massage gun. I would like to deepen the whole thing at this point. To do this, I will go into more detail about the possible causes. In addition, I will tell you when you should go to the doctor in case of an itchy feeling or how you can reduce or even prevent the itching.
Possible Causes of itchy Skin after Using a Massage Gun
The most common reasons for an itchy feeling of using a massage gun are as follows:
- Increased Blood Flow
- Pressure Urticaria
- Vibratory Urticaria
- Allergic Reaction
- Spasm
- Nitric Oxide in Body
I would now like to discuss each of these in detail.
Increased Blood Flow
Probably most often, itching is caused by increased blood circulation as a result of massage. In the process, the blood vessels are dilated. In addition, the body part may warm up. Both can cause the skin to itch.
Vibratory Urticaria
Vibratory urticaria is a rather rare, genetically determined skin reaction. Here, the skin reacts particularly sensitively to vibrations. As a result, so-called vibratory hives develop. This is a red, itchy rash that can occur when using a massage gun, operating a lawn mower, or jogging, among other things.
Pressure Urticaria
Pressure Urticaria belongs to the category of Vibratory Urticaria. Here, however, the hives are not triggered by vibration but by pressure. This pressure can occur, for example, when wearing tight clothing or through long walking or sitting. Massage guns may also apply pressure to various parts of the body over a period of time, which can lead to reddish, itchy areas.
Allergic Reaction
An allergic reaction can be triggered when using a massage gun for various reasons. This is especially true when the massager is applied directly to the skin, and there is no clothing between them.
On the one hand, the allergic reaction can be triggered by the material of the massage attachment, for example, if it is made of latex. On the other hand, gels and oils can be used with massage heads made of metal. These can also trigger an allergic reaction. The same applies to cleaners used to wash the massage heads.
Spasm
I think that almost all of us have had spasms at one time or another. These can be triggered not only by physical stress or disturbances of the nerve pathways. Muscles can also be triggered by massage guns in such a way that cramps are provoked.
Nitric Oxide in Body
Nitric oxide is used in the body for various body processes. Through the vibration when using a massage gun, the gases can be released. For a few people, this can also cause itching.
Don’t self-diagnose
If you keep experiencing itching when using a massage gun, you should go to a doctor to have the causes clarified. A self-diagnosis is usually not useful. On the one hand, the correct treatment can not be given here. On the other hand, it is difficult to distinguish between the various causes of itchy skin. If the wrong treatment is then carried out or if the massage gun continues to be used without treatment, this can, of course, have negative consequences and even lead to damage to the body.
How to prevent Skin Itching after using a Massage Gun
As already written, you should consult a doctor to clarify and treat the causes of the itching. Apart from that, you can do the following to reduce the itching after the massage:
- Perform several short massages throughout the day rather than one long one. This way, the muscles and nerves in the massaged areas will not be overly stressed.
- Use the massage gun on a lower setting. This will transmit less vibration to the body and reduce the likelihood of itching.
- Do not use the massage gun on bare skin, but wear clothes between the massage gun and your skin. On the one hand, this reduces the intensity of the shocks. On the other hand, you can prevent the massage head, to which you are allergic, from directly touching your skin.
Conclusion – Why do I feel itchy after using a Massage Gun?
The phenomenon of itchy skin after a massage is not as rare as one might think. The causes of itching can be very different. What are the reasons and how you can prevent them, you have learned in the article. I hope that I was able to help you!
