Capillaritis is a common rash that affects the legs of athletes. Presenting as a “funky” rash, it simply seems to come out of nowhere and without any related injury. The rash is a harmless skin condition in which there are reddish-brown patches caused by leaky capillaries. As the capillaries become inflammed, tiny red dots appear on the skin. The dots form into a flat red patch, which becomes brown and then slowly starts to fade away. Its cause is often unknown, but it tends to develop after exercise. Many times the rash will appear under the socks and gaiters. The rash may be caused by a reaction to Lycra, a common sock fabric, or other fabrics that irritate your skin. It could also be a heat rash from the combination of trapped sweat and hot temperatures. In extreme cases it will present with fluid-filled blisters. It can reoccur and even persist for years.
Delayed pressure urticaria is a form of swelling or hives, or edema or redness of the skin doe to some form of pressure upon the skin. It can occur under the elastic of socks or gaiters, or from tight shoes. The rash and pain can last from three to 72 hours. Topical applications of benedryl ointment might help, but usually a more potent corticosteroid is required.
Prickly heat rash is caused by a blockage of sweat glands in areas of heavy sweating, usually beneath clothing. This rash appears as red, itchy, inflamed bumps.
Other possible rashes include poison oak or poison ivy, or rashes that develop because of sensitivity to soap, lotion, or fabrics. These can be ruled out by a physician if they persist.
Treating Rashes
Capillaritis will disappear on its own over a few weeks. The use of a hydrocortisone 1% cream will help control the rash and any related itching. A dermatologist or general physician can be consulted if it does not go away on its own. Hand Sense is a protective cream that enhances the natural lipid system by penetrating the outer layer of skin and bonding with the skin to create a soft shield that prevents irritation of the sensitive living tissue underneath. It works to reduce the incident of rashes on the feet plus it reduces perspiration. North American Safety Products.
Maddalena Acconci, better known to adventure racers as MA, has a mix of ingredients she uses for athletes’ rashes. She will often mix a batch based on what she sees on feet and ankles. Her basic concoction is triple antibiotic, hydrocortisone, Bag Balm and either Tea Tree oil or Manuka oil (studies have shown Manuka oil is 20 to 30 times more active than Australian Tea Tree Oil for gram positive bacteria, and 5 to 10 times more active for fungi). MA says:
“If [the rash] is really bad, I use 1% hydrocortisone and Manuka oil. If it’s not so very bad, I use 0.5% hydrocortisone and tea tree oil. Sometimes I find people who react badly to antibiotic creams so I use Burt’s Bees Rescue Ointment which also works great for a whole plethora of race ailments. I don’t know if anything I do is unique, I just do what I think will work. For example, I had a racer develop a very mysterious redness on the soles of his feet. None of us could figure out what it was-just red, nothing else. He really wanted to race but his soles were sensitive. I mixed Benadryl cream with Rescue ointment, rubbed it in, cut a layer of Molefoam to shape and topped it of with a layer of Moleskin. Taped it to hold it together with Leukotape. He wore his slightly larger pair of shoes and a thin double sock combo. It worked, he raced and the rash went away.”
If you are often affected by rashes, try different socks, apply powder under your socks, or wear a thin sockliner made from silk. Prickly heat rash usually lasts for a few days and then disappears on its own, although it may last longer if hot and humid conditions continue.
