[Gocamino] hiker's/walker's/golfer's leg rash

[Eldor Pederson]

Although she is unwilling to make a diagnosis without seeing the patient, my wife who is a physician suggests several possibilities, two of which may be relevant. The first is an allergy to wool or some other substance in ones clothing or to a plant growing along the trail (poison oak and ivy are the two most common in North America).  Remedies include going to non-allergenic materials and to follow the usual precautions and treatments of poisonous plants. A second and more likely explanation is a simple heat rash, not a serious condition. One can use various over-the-counter treatments to reduce itching if that is a problem. If you have not yet begun your walk on the Camino, it might be a good idea to contact your physician to ensure that the rash is not a symptom of something more serious, even though that is unlikely.


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Donald Schell<mailto:donaldschell at saintgregorys.org> 
  To: C.Christopher Rush<mailto:c.c.rushassociates at verizon.net> 
  Cc: gocamino at oakapple.net<mailto:gocamino at oakapple.net> 
  Sent: Friday, August 05, 2005 6:09 PM
  Subject: Re: [Gocamino] hiker's/walker's/golfer's leg rash


  I got this rash two out of three times walking the camino - both June 
  and July but not May, so heat makes sense.  It was the line at the top 
  of my socks and I have enough other allergy stuff that happens that i 
  thought it was the combination of heat and dust/pollen accumulating at 
  that line.  It didn't hurt.  I also get it hiking.  First time I walked 
  I was 51.

  Donald
  On Aug 5, 2005, at 6:58 AM, C.Christopher Rush wrote:

  > Hola to all--life gets stranger and stranger.  After a 12 mile 
  > training walk last Wednesday with pack and boots, to prepare for my 
  > camino in September, I developed a rash on both legs above the sock 
  > line, and on the top of my feet.  Doesn't itch, doesn't hurt.  I 
  > thought it had something to do with the extreme heat and humidity we 
  > are experiencing in the northeast.  As a matter of fact it does; it's 
  > called Golfers' Vasiculitis, identified by dermatologists in Australia 
  > as fairly common among long-distance walkers, hikers and other engaged 
  > in endurance activities in high heat/humidity, who are also over the 
  > age of 50.
  >
  > My question is, has anyone on this list who has walked the Camino or 
  > who is training to walk it, experienced such a rash?  Since it's quite 
  > warm in northern Spain these days, I anticipate a continuing rash, but 
  > would appreciate hearing from any on the list who have had this 
  > experience.
  >
  > Patricia
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