One of the commonly asked questions is “why does a massage gun make me itch?”

Many people who undergo massage gun therapy usually worry about feeling itchy after using the device. 

Furthermore, this skin condition can affect the arm, leg, scalp, or even the whole body. 

This post provides you with all you need to know about feeling itchy after using a massage gun or theragun.

So What’s Itchy Skin

Itchy skin is also known as pruritus. It’s a condition of the skin which comes with an irritating and uncomfortable sensation that could make you scratch your skin surface. 

The cause of itchy skin makes it look bumpy, red, rough, and even appear normal. One of the common causes of itchy skin is dry skin. Hence pruritus is common among the elderly as their skin gets drier with age.

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Symptoms Of Itchy Skin

Mentioned below are symptoms associated with itchy skin: 

• Redness
• Blisters, Bumps, or Spots
• Scratch marks
• Leathery or Scaly patches
• Dry, cracked skin

Note: It’s noteworthy to mention that Itchy skin or pruritus can occur without any other significant skin changes.

6 Reasons For Itchy Skin After Massage Gun

Mentioned below are six reasons you feel itchy after using a massage gun or theragun:

#1. Allergies

The massage gun components, or something used to clean it, can cause an allergic reaction or irritant contact dermatitis if used directly on your skin. This usually develops after multiple uses and can be treated with topical steroids.

Reaction to the massage lotion or oil that has been applied to the skin can also cause your skin to be itchy. Groundnut or tree materials are found in many massage creams and oils. And some people are allergic to these materials and the irritation may cause their skin to itch.

#2. Vibratory Hives

Vibratory hives, also known as vibratory urticaria, can also cause itchy skin after using a massage gun. These are rashes that appear itchy and red at the site of any vibration, including massage gun. 

But it can also happen when you use power tools, mow the lawn, run or ride a mountain bike. Furthermore, the rashes are caused by the release of histamine from the cells and are temporary; successive vibrations usually bring it back.

Vibratory hives appear a few minutes after exposure to a vibratory stimulus and usually last 60-120 minutes. Redness, itching, and swelling are all localized to the site of irritation.

The hives and itchiness that come after are usually limited to the exposed areas. However, you may have a more severe or widespread reaction, where itching and hives spread all over the body.

#3. Nerves Firing

If there is no redness or rash, another possibility is that the increased blood flow is causing the increase in the blood vessel size. 

This could make the nerves inflamed, and fire up. Additionally, vibrations can increase the warmth of the skin and cause itching. 

Since the skin is the most powerful sensory organ, it is understandable that some people will be sensitive to this kind of reaction.

#4. Pressure Hives

One reason your skin gets itchy after using the massage gun could be that the static electricity released by your massager during the massage stroke, causing pressure urticaria.

This condition results when itchy hives are triggered by prolonged pressure on the skin, such as sustained pressure from sitting, walking, wearing tight clothing, or any other things that cause sustained pressure. 

Furthermore, research shows that up to 5% of the population is affected by physical urticaria.

#5. Nitric Oxide In The Body

Exercise and mechanical vibration cause the natural release of nitric oxide in the body, and these might induce itching in some people.

#6. Muscle Spasms

High vibration levels can induce muscle spasms which are another source of itchy skin after a massage gun therapy. Tiny muscular spasms can cause itchy skin by affecting the surrounding nerves.

How To Treat Itchy Skin After Using Massage Gun

Avoid diagnosing yourself if you haven’t gotten a solution to the reasons your massage gun makes you itch.

Instead, it’s best to seek help from a physical therapist if you wish to use the massage gun effectively. 

Ensure you start with the lowest vibration setting and gradually increase the frequency over time. This may just be enough to prevent a reaction in the long run.

Also, if you suspect the massage oil or cream is the cause of your itchy skin, test it on a small patch of skin before using it all over your body. Instead of oils, you can buy professional massage creams, which are ideal for sensitive and dry skin.

If you’re on an antihistamines prescription, discuss it with your doctor if the itching reaction is very uncomfortable. Placing a piece of cloth or shirt between your skin and the massage gun can also help reduce the reactions.

Lastly, if skin irritation and itching persists after using the massage gun for more than two weeks, stop immediately and seek professional medical treatment. 

Also, stop using the massage gun or theragun if the negative effects far outweigh the benefits or goals of percussion therapy.

When To Consult A Doctor

It’s advisable to see your dermatologist or doctor if skin itchiness:

• Persists for more than 14 days and doesn’t improve with self-care treatment
• Comes with other symptoms, night sweats, fever, and weight loss
• Is serious that it interferes with your day-to-day activities or prevents you from sleeping well
• Affects you entire body
• Occurs suddenly without a clear-cut cause or explanation

Massage Gun For Beginners (My recommendation)

We have different percussion massage guns and theragun brands available in the market today. But, some are very expensive to purchase.

Furthermore, others are cheap but may not have specific features that make a percussion massage gun more effective and user-friendly.

I recommend the Opove M3 Pro Massage Gun to help because it’s budget-friendly, easy to use, and effectively alleviates pains around your muscles.

This device also has a good battery life, sleek design, and features that you will usually find on other high-end and expensive recovery tools like the theragun.

Click here to read the Opove M3 Pro Massage Gun review to get further information about the product.

Final Words

Current research suggests that increased blood flow during and after a pulse massage gun usage ‘wakes up’ nerves around muscles that have been stretched beyond their usual range. This is especially true if you aren’t used to exercising or massaging a specific body part.

Some people suffer skin itches after massage guns, although this is not common. It’s caused by various factors, which aren’t life-threatening, and it’s typically relatively easy to fix.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is a result of in-depth research on the subject matter. This article is only for informational and educational purposes, and it’s not intended as medical or health advice. Hence, I suggest you always ensure to seek the opinion of your doctor or other qualified health personnel regarding any questions that relate to health objectives or medical conditions.