Golfer’s Vasculitis: Understanding Its Cause And Treatment

Golfing is supposed to be an enjoyable way to spend your free time. After all, walking around for several hours can be pretty good exercise. But a bad drive or putt is not the only thing that may be annoying on the course. A medical condition known as golfer’s vasculitis can develop in golfers, especially those who are middle age and older. Understanding the condition, its cause, and how you can treat symptoms can help you stay in the game.

What Is Golfer’s Vasculitis?

Golfer’s vasculitis is a skin condition that is characterized by a red, blotchy rash that develops on the ankles and can spread up the leg. It can occur due to irritation after exercising in warm weather. Various forms of exercise can trigger the condition. But walking for extended periods of time in warm weather is often the cause, which is how it got the nickname — golfer’s vasculitis. According to the National Institute of Health, golfing seems to be the most common precipitating activity to developing the condition.  

Vasculitis is an inflammation of the blood vessels. It can involve the large or small blood vessels of the body. Depending on the cause, vasculitis can occur in various parts of the body including the eyes, joints and the aorta.  In some situations, vasculitis causes serious symptoms including restricting blood flow to organs and tissues in the body. Restricted blood flow can lead to tissue damage.

But if you are affected by golfer’s vasculitis, you can rest assured, it is not the same thing as other more serious types of vasculitis. Golfer’s vasculitis is classified as hypersensitive vasculitis or cutaneous vasculitis. It involves inflammation of the small blood vessels, but it only affects the skin.    

Causes Of Golfer’s Vasculitis

People who tend to sweat a lot may be more prone to the condition. It also occurs more frequently in people over the age of 50. The condition may be more common with age due to decreased circulation that can occur. It’s important to understand that people who get this particular form of vasculitis are often healthy otherwise.

In most instances, the condition is not considered serious. Symptoms usually include a rash, which may itch, burn or sting. Some people also have swelling in the affected area. Addition symptoms that are present with other types of vasculitis, such as fever and fatigue, do not occur with golfer’s vasculitis.

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In many cases, additional testing is not needed. But if allergies or other skin conditions are suspected, a skin biopsy may be needed. Allergy testing and laboratory work may also be recommended to rule out other conditions.  

Golfer's Vasculitis: Reducing Symptoms And Flare-ups

Although golfer’s vasculitis is not usually serious, it can be annoying and cause discomfort. Learning ways to prevent the condition and treat flare-ups if they occur can help you stay in the game.

Decreasing Symptoms And Preventing A Secondary Infection

There is not a lot of research on how to prevent golfer’s vasculitis. Giving up exercise or golf seems like an extreme way to prevent golfer’s vasculitis. If you are prone to the condition, you may want to consider wearing cotton socks, which wick moisture away from your ankles and may decrease your chances of developing a rash. Wearing shorts instead of pants when golfing may also reduce overheating and sweating and decrease your risk.

Symptoms of golfer’s vasculitis include a rash, which often starts just above the sock line. Although it can vary, the rash may be extremely itchy. Although golfer’s vasculitis itself is not usually serious, it’s important to prevent any secondary skin infections from developing due to scratching.

What can happen is, after continual scratching, you can develop cuts and scrapes in your skin. The breakdown of your skin can allow bacteria to enter, which may lead to a skin infection, such as cellulitis. In some cases, skin infections can become severe. If your rash is itching, it’s important to avoid excessive scratching to avoid the possibility of a skin breakdown.

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Treatment and Home Care of Golfer's Vasculitis

Although it may be a bit of a nuisance, symptoms of golfer’s vasculitis often disappear without specific treatment within a week. In the meantime, there are things you can do to ease inflammation, itching and discomfort. Consider some of the following treatments:

Use aloe vera gel: Aloe vera is a naturally occurring substance found in aloe vera plants. Commercial products of aloe vera gel are also available. The gel may soothe irritated skin and speed up healing. Unless you are allergic to the gel, there are usually no side effects. Even if it does not reduce symptoms, it usually will not hurt. Plus, it moisturizes your skin.   

Apply a cool towel: If your rash is mostly on your ankles, consider soaking your feet in a Cool footbath. If the rash is higher up on your lower legs, apply a cool, damp towel to the affected region. The cool water may help reduce itching, inflammation and burning.

Temporarily reduce exercise in warm weather: Depending on how severe your rash is, you may want to decrease how much walking you do on the golf course. Consider using a golf cart until your symptoms have cleared up.

Consider antihistamine medications: Most people do not need medication to treat golfer’s vasculitis. But if itching is severe, you may want to consider an over the counter antihistamine. If swelling is present, a non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medication may also help decrease symptoms.

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