Exercise-induced vasculitis, often nicknamed “golfer’s rash,” “Disney rash,” or “hiker’s rash,” is a peculiar condition that catches many people off guard. It occurs when the small blood vessels—usually around the ankles, calves, and shins, and sometimes creeping up to the thighs—become inflamed. This is most often triggered in hot environments. When the body works to cool itself, blood is directed to capillaries near the skin’s surface. If you combine this with prolonged walking or exercise in the heat, blood can pool in the extremities, and its return to the heart slows down. The result is an alarming, deep red or purplish rash that can look far more serious than it actually is. The condition is especially common in women over the age of fifty, though it can happen to anyone, even those in excellent health.
I first noticed how widespread this problem was while working on cruise ships. Guests often disembark at ports and end up walking much more than they’re accustomed to, often under the hot sun. Later, back in their cabins, they discover angry, blotchy marks on their legs, usually starting just above the sock line.
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