Everything to Know about Exercise-Induced Vasculitis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

Exercise-induced vasculitis (EIV), also known as golfer’s rash, golfer’s vasculitis, hiker’s rash, and Disney rash, is mainly a red heat rash that occurs on the calves and ankles. It generally appears near the sock line, although it can progress up the calves as well.

Golfer’s vasculitis is caused by damage to blood vessels, hot weather, prolonged periods of exercise or walking, and sunlight exposure and is often seen in hikers, runners, golfers, and people who walk for long periods.

Read on to find out a few important things about exercise-induced vasculitis – its symptoms, causes, and treatments.

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What Are the Major Symptoms of Vasculitis in the Legs?

Although vasculitis is often considered a type of rash, it isn’t a true rash. Instead, it is a condition where the blood vessels in the legs get inflamed, which often leads to discoloration and swelling. Exercise-induced vasculitis can happen on one or both legs and typically occurs on the shins and claves, although it may occur on the thighs, too.

Some major symptoms associated with golfer’s rash include:

• A rash that appears on one or both ankles, shins, calves, and thighs
• Purple spots or wheals
• Red patches
• Burning sensation
• Severe itching and pain
• Erythema (patches of red skin)
• Swelling

Exercise-induced vasculitis can lead to swelling. (Photo via Pexels/Andrea Piacquadio)

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What Are the Causes of Exercise-Induced Vasculitis?

EIV commonly occurs when an individual is walking or exercising and the legs are exposed to heat. This leads to an increase in blood flow to small vessels, which further causes a red heat rash in that particular area. Many activities are known to trigger exercise-induced vasculitis, which include:

• Running for long distance
• Playing golf
• Swimming
• Hiking
• Step exercises
• Bodybuilding

In addition to these causes, medical experts believe that golfer’s rash can also occur due to hereditary factors. According to some experts, there may be a genetic link associated with an individual’s risk of getting exercise-induced vasculitis.

Running can lead to golfer's rash. (Photo via Pexels/Maarten van den Heuvel)

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How to Treat Vasculitis?

Exercise-induced vasculitis often goes away on its own within a few weeks, however, there are certain things you can do to ease swelling, pain, and other symptoms associated with it. These include:

Use an ice pack

Applying ice packs and cold washcloths to the affected area can help alleviate the burning sensation and also reduce swelling. If you don’t have an ice pack, just dip the cloth in cold water and put it around your affected leg. Leave it for a while and repeat it a few more times throughout the day.

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Try to keep your feet elevated

If you have severe vasculitis in your legs, elevating your legs whenever possible can be a good way to get relief from discomfort.

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Use anti-itch cream

If the rash is itching and there’s also redness, applying over-the-counter anti-itch ointments, topical corticosteroids, and antihistamines may definitely provide relief. Alternatively, you may also opt for itch-reducing creams and witch hazel towelettes on the affected leg.

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Keep yourself hydrated

When you have exercise-induced vasculitis, it is important to stay hydrated. Drinking lots of water and other healthy fluids can help ease and prevent the rash.

Using an anti-itch cream can reduce itching. (Photo via Pexels/祝 鹤槐)

A golfer’s rash generally goes away on its own, but if the rash is severe or painful, it is best to consult a doctor and seek medical treatment. Always seek a doctor’s guidance if:

• the rash is very itchy
• the rash is painful
• the rash lasts longer than one week
• the rash returns after a few weeks with other exercises

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While you can’t really escape from getting a rash, there are certain steps you can take to prevent this condition. These include wearing compression stockings while running or exercising, taking breaks when exercising, wearing lightweight or cotton clothes to stay cool, and most importantly, drinking lots of water and healthy fluids.