- Flushed skin
- Numbness
- Pins and needles feeling
- A prickly feeling across the body
For some, the itchiness may be a sign of the pre-workout kicking in for your workout. For others, the itch can become too uncomfortable, at times lasting for around one hour, even up to 90 minutes.
The length of the itchiness all depends on the dosage of beta-alanine. With low doses, the side effect of itchiness is close to non-existent, but the higher the dose, the increased instances of itchy skin.
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One reason for connecting the itch to your pre-workout is the amino-acid beta-alanine. Naturally in the liver, this ingredient is reported to elevate peptide levels, also known as carnosine, which enhances exercise performance and allows you to train harder for a longer time.
The beta-alanine seems to activate a specific gene that switches on sensory neurons lying beneath the skin, which then results in the tingle and itch.
Other reports say the opposite for beta-alanine, with studies showing less favorable results on the overall effects of exercise performance.
In the end, it depends on you and if you feel you can deal with the itchiness from your pre-workout, if you experience a tingle or itch at all. Research the various pre-workouts because some may not be as effective as others.
There are also other supplements that provide the same benefits in your workout but without the beta-alanine ingredient.