Looking For An Excuse To Avoid The Gym? We’ve Got You Covered
Let’s be honest: the gym is the worst. Why would you want to log miles on the treadmill next to a bunch of other sweaty people when you could spend that extra time cuddled up all nice and cozy in your bed? Answer: no one knows. If you’ve been searching for an excuse to hit snooze and skip your morning sweat sesh, we’ve got you covered: a study shows that there’s actually such thing as being allergic to exercise.
Yep, you read that right. You can be allergic to peanuts or cats, and now you can be allergic to exercise too. The condition is called exercise-induced anaphylaxis, and it’s actually pretty scary. Those who have it might deal with swelling, flushing of the skin, nausea, or hives, just to name a few symptoms. Though medical professionals have known about the condition since 1979, it’s pretty rare. They estimate that only about 50 out of every 100,000 people actually have it.
Researchers aren’t totally sure what causes it, but it’s likely that it’s triggered when a person consumes certain foods before exercising. For many people who suffer from the condition, wheat and shellfish are to blame. For other people, taking aspirin before a workout will do it.
Since the condition is pretty rare, it’s probably not the BEST excuse to skip a workout, but it’s definitely worth a shot if you’re feeling desperate.
Lauren Levine is a freelance writer who has contributed to publications and websites including The Charlotte Observer, U.S. News & World Report, American Way magazine, The Huffington Post, Hello Giggles, Bustle, Thrillist, Thought Catalog, and others.
