Hiking heat rash.?

exilec

I am looking for some words of wisdom if anyone has any. I hike weekly( average around 25km) and suffer badly from a heat rash above both ankles to the mid calf area.. (usually about 6 inches above the boot/sock area). I have changed boots, switched sock brands and weight but i still can't find a cure from it..:mad:
I noticed when i wear shorts it a little less noticeable but still there.And if i rub sudocrem before and after helps, but doesn't stop it happening. Can anyone recommend a cream or know if this is a fairly common occurrence , I am 90% certain its not my washing liquid because it happened once with brand new socks..
Thanks for any help you may have..!

SomeFool

Have you tried out trail runners, while not suitable for every hike I find myself using them more and more instead of the boots. Might be airier than boots for you.

Alun

That's strange, it's not something I've ever experienced myself or heard other fellow hikers complaining about to be honest.

exilec

Alun wrote: »

That's strange, it's not something I've ever experienced myself or heard other fellow hikers complaining about to be honest.

Thats good to hear ..! it can go a good 6 inches plus above the sock/boot line, fairly painful after but usually ok the following day ..

SomeFool

exilec wrote: »

Thats good to hear ..! it can go a good 6 inches plus above the sock/boot line, fairly painful after but usually ok the following day ..

Do you use gaiters? Might be caused by them being too tight or something.

exilec

SomeFool wrote: »

Do you use gaiters? Might be caused by them being too tight or something.

I thought it could of been the gaiters , but i done a couple of walks in shorts and no gaiters and still the same outcome :mad: .

Halloween Jack

exilec wrote: »

I thought it could of been the gaiters , but i done a couple of walks in shorts and no gaiters and still the same outcome :mad: .

Maybe you allergic to some material in the sock? Most outdoor brands use very similar materials, hence why changing brand of sick was no good?

SomeFool

Halloween Jack wrote: »

Maybe you allergic to some material in the sock? Most outdoor brands use very similar materials, hence why changing brand of sick was no good?

Lanolin in wool is a common one so maybe a try out a synthetic sock?

Tigerandahalf

Are your legs rubbing against any plants or other? It might be a good idea to take an anti-histamine on the morning of your hike. See if that has an effect. Otherwise a trip to a doc.

Alun

It's odd that you get it when wearing shorts too. Does it extend below the top of the sock as well?

Halloween Jack

Tigerandahalf wrote: »

Are your legs rubbing against any plants or other? It might be a good idea to take an anti-histamine on the morning of your hike. See if that has an effect. Otherwise a trip to a doc.

I have hay fever myself and when in shorts in the summer and walking through foliage/long grass etc i have a reaction on my legs, never had one while wearing trousers though.

CardinalJ

I've got exactly what you describe before, but only on days when I've gone on long hikes, 30+km. Was training to do the wicklow way and used to get it a lot, regardless of outdoor temperatures. Any time I got it it always cleared up within 24 hours after stopping, but was a bit itchy. I found that elevating my legs a bit when I take a break stopped it almost completely.

I read about it on line and it seems to happen mainly in old people due to circulation issues.... (Im 29.. haha)

exilec

CardinalJ wrote: »

I've got exactly what you describe before, but only on days when I've gone on long hikes, 30+km. Was training to do the wicklow way and used to get it a lot, regardless of outdoor temperatures. Any time I got it it always cleared up within 24 hours after stopping, but was a bit itchy. I found that elevating my legs a bit when I take a break stopped it almost completely.

I read about it on line and it seems to happen mainly in old people due to circulation issues.... (Im 29.. haha)

That seems to be the same thing .. but it happens me after 20km plus , maybe i'm getting too old .I am 40 now Its manageable but annoying. When i did the wicklow way they would be bad at night, throw a bit of sudocrem on them and they would be fairly ok the next day, then bad again that night...

exilec

Alun wrote: »

It's odd that you get it when wearing shorts too. Does it extend below the top of the sock as well?

yes it does , does down as far as the ankle and up to mid calf area ..

Alun

Interesting .. from what CardinalJ says, it seems it might be totally unrelated to the socks. If I was you I'd be taking a visit to the doctor for peace of mind.

Tigerandahalf

It souns like an allergic reaction to something. I come out in lumps from midge and mosquito bites. They can be very itchy afterwards. Once I take an anti-histamine in the morning it solves the problem. I still get the bites but don't get the reaction, only little red dots. It is something to do with the immune system and too much histamine in your body. No harm in visiting your doc anyway. While you're with him get a full medical check up as well. Get value out of the 50eur!