Golfer's Vasculitis

I am training for the Susan G 60 mile 3 day walk the first weekend in Aug. When I walk 15 miles or more in the heat it sounds like I am getting Golfer's Vasculitis. The trouble is my feet and legs swell up and I am worried I will not get my shoes on the next day. Anything I can do to get the swelling down fast some have suggested compression stockings but not sure how that will be in the heat.  Please help

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Golfer’s vasculitis is a type of heat rash which presents as a red rash on the calves of many walkers. It often starts above the sock line and makes red patches and splotches up the calf. In that case, taking bath with cold water after staying in the sun or applying cold wet towels may help.

In your case the possibility of peripheral vascular disease, cardiac and kindey causes also need to be ruled out because your legs are swelling after a short time after walking. My sincere suggestion is to get an evaluation done from a physician as well.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[Golfing_Kiwi]

Hi from New Zealand. I get a heat rash on my calves after a round of golf in the summer, sometimes even in the winter. I can get it whether I wear long trousers, over-trousers or shorts. I have tried barrier creams and washing the calves after every third hole. I am less likely to get the rash if I play in the morning although there is no gurantee. I also got it at Disneyland in California. I am in my late 60s, otherwise fit and active and have been getting the rash for about ten years. I can play tennis for several hours, work for hours about my lifestyle block, run, cycle, and not get the rashes. I did get it once cycling on a cycling tour, but on just the one section of the tour.

I have noticed that the places where I have had the rash have also been places where petroleum based fungicides have been extensively used to get rid of mosses and lichens. Such are often used on golf courses. I use a non-petroleum based fungicide on my property and in spite of spending hours at work in the property have yet to get the leg rash here.

I doubt if it is a contact problem because I handle the golf ball and it is only my calves that suffer. But there seems to me to be a very strong correlation with fungicides. On days following the use of fungicides on my local golf course, the rash is worse.

I have wondered at a mechanism that might have the conditions enhance the likelihood of the heat rash occurring and can think of no obvious or simple answer. But then, life is not simple. Perhaps, one day?

Golfing Kiwi