Avoiding the sun - DS diagnosed with skin condition

[donnaf516]

Someone help me pleaseeee

We're supposed to be leaving on Thursday and my DS has just been diagnosed with a skin condition. The doctor said he should avoid the sun as much as possible, especially prolonged exposure! I have no idea what to do now...how can you avoid the sun while touring the parks?

The doctor suggested long sleeves and pants! HELLO! We're going to Disney in August! He'll die of heat exhaustion! Our plan was to hit the parks for RD and return to the resort midday anyway but I still think it's gonna be a problem. Any suggestions? Has anyone ever been through this?

 

[MedicGoofy]

I'm sorry for the diagnosis of your son.

While it may make your trip a little difficult, I'm sure you can work around it. First, I would head over to the disAbilities board and ask around there. There is usually great info from people there.

Second, you may have to look at long sleeves and pants that are very light weight material and wearing a hat. Drink lots of water, more than usual, to stay hydrated.

One of the good things with disney is that most, or all, of their lines are in shade with fans. So most of the time, while you wait, you won't be in the sun.

And I'm sure, someone here can explain the GAC. If that's the right thing?? Someone can wait in line, and when ready, bring him in at the right time (I'm not sure of this as I've not used it).

And if it's really not feasible to do it in the summer, what about changing the trip to the winter months, late fall? I am sure you have kids who are anxious to go NOW, but with the new dx, it might be another option?

Hope you can work this out!!!

 

[tallen429]

I'm not much help but I know they make very lightweight UV clothing that has long sleeves. It's made from a very breathable fiber that lets heat out easily. Maybe not the most fashionable, but it works.
My teenage son has cold urticaria...he is allergic to the cold. It's a fairly rare allergy and most people don't realize it exists. It's not as rare as true urticaria (allergy to sunlight) but it's real.
He can't swim without having a reaction, even in the summer. He can't be in cold temps long, even blasts of air conditioning. He is sensetive to extreme heat too, but luckily we've been able to manage. I thought about getting a GAC so he could wait in a covered, tempurature moderate climate while the rest of us waited in line for rides, but so far it hasn't been necessary.
Good luck to you!! You'll manage!
You might want to check out some message boards for sun allergy people for help. You might find something here on the DISabilites board too!

 

[twocat]

I'm sorry for the diagnosis of your son.

While it may make your trip a little difficult, I'm sure you can work around it. First, I would head over to the disAbilities board and ask around there. There is usually great info from people there.

MedicGoofy is spot on. Head over to the disABILITY boards and post your question there. Those folks are just wonderful.

Would the use of a high SPF sunscreen help? Your Dr. said avoid sun exposure but what does that really mean for your son? Avoiding sunlight or potential sun damage?

 

[donnaf516]

Thanks everyone - headed over to the disability board now.

 

[minnie mum]

As the PPs have noted: the Disabilities board may have someone on it who can give you some great advice. Long sleeves and pants may seem like an unfair punishment to the poor little guy, but may be necessary. While most of the attractions queues are not in direct sunlight, he will still have longish periods in full sun when just walking from place to place. This is why the GAC will probably not be of any help.

As one of the PPs mentioned, they now make clothing with a built in SPF that are light weight and breathable. Make sure his hat has a wide brim. Something like a Tilley hat would work well, since the crown is ventilated, and it is crushable, foldable, and can stand getting wet. It has a wider brim than most 'bucket' hats.

Your pharmacy will be able to advise you on the best sun blocks to use. I would imagine that they can give you something that will stand up to all the sweating or swimming as well. Just remember to apply it frequently.

It's too late now to change your plans, but if you can take advantage of the EMHs (both morning and night) so that he is out of the parks and inside or in shaded locations when the sun is strongest from noon to late afternoon, it might make things easier for him.

Has your doctor recommended any additional medications or treatments you may need if sun exposure causes a flare up of his skin problem while you are away? At least you would have this info to fall back on if problems arise.

I hope everything goes well for you all on your vacation. The very best of luck and I hope your trip is still a magical one.

 

[seashoreCM]

You may use an umbrella instead of or in additional to long sleeved/legged clothing.

Also don't walk so fast so as to get out of breath or work up a sweat.

On a trip a few years ago involving a lot of outdoor walking I used an umbrella on sunny days.

 

[leebee]

Walk through the shops that line the streets; they are connected inside. You miss a little excitement but a LOT of heat and sun! It's something we do whenever we go to WDW in June-August.

 

[Mrs K]

Try long shorts, like basketball shorts. My son runs in light weight shirts and shorts that dry easily. They are breathable and I have even seen people swimming in them. Nike Dri I think is the name he likes, also under armor makes running stuff that's light. Good luck.

 

[Schmeck]

A GAC can help avoid having to stand in the sun while waiting for an attraction, but really, most queues are under cover to begin with. I have to stay out of the sun (melanoma, twice) and have found it quite manageable at WDW without a GAC.

One thing I would suggest is to plan a table service meal in the middle of the day, to miss the worst of the sun. Plan that time for watching shows too, or Ellen's Energy Adventure, or The Land Pavilion, etc.

Your son is going to get the most exposure getting to the parks (bus queues are mostly shaded at the parks, but not at all the resorts) and walking through the parks. I second the lightweight SPF clothing, a very wide brimmed hat, and sneakers with lightweight socks. Is he allergic to sunscreen? If he can wear it, get some zinc oxide to cover his nose and ears, on top of the sunscreen.

Good thing about going in August - the parks are open really late at night, so missing 3-4 hours in the middle of the day (11AM-3PM) won't cramp your vacation too much at all.

 

[Finally08]

My dd is allergic to sunscreen, and white as a sheet so we tour with an umbrella now.

 

[tinkbyday]

I was found to have a melanoma several years ago right before my WDW trip and they told me to "avoid the sun" as well. I said the same thing you did

As upset as I was about the diagnosis, I did actually manage to avoid the sun the majority of the time. I walked inside when possible, under trees or on the side where there was shade; took advantage of the evening EMHs (which my DD and I learned we actually enjoyed MORE than daytime touring!) and truly enjoyed the "indoor" rides more than I had previously. I really hadn't realized how many attractions are out of the sun.

As PPs mentioned, there is lightweight clothing with UV protection and make sure he wears a baseball cap or something with a rim.

I hope he is okay and hope that you find it easier than you think you will!

 

[okeydokey]

How about a long sleeve rash guard shirt. They have a built in 50 SFP. They are also very light and dry quickly after getting wet.

 

[stargazertechie]

UPF clothing (long sleeve)
bucket/safari style hat (that has a wide brim to cover all of his face, neck, and ears)
Umbrella
Using "inside paths" as much as possible