Avoiding the sun - DS diagnosed with skin condition

[donnaf516]

Hi everyone - I posted this in a different area and was told maybe someone here could help me...

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?

 

[anonymousegirl]

Perhaps you and your family could go after five pm when the sun is lower and then stay late after dark?
Definitely have him wear a hat and if he is young enough, a stroller with a sun shade. You might look into a fabric store that might sell that fabric which has automatic sunblock (in how it is woven, not as a spray on sunscreen) and then use that fabric (which is very lightweight) as a drape over the stroller.
So sorry that this happened now, but I guess it is better to have the diagnosis before WDW rather than have you son become dangerous ill at WDW.

 

[autismmom1]

Go to the Guest Relations Department (at any of the parks) and explain the situation...you may want to have a note from your son's Dr., but it isn't necessary.
You should be issued a Guest Assistance Card (GAC) that will allow him (and your family) to wait in a shaded area (where available) for the attractions. I've had a friend with this problem and that is what she did. Unfortunately, not all attractions have an area, so you'll either have to save them for when the sun goes down or when the sun is not shining in that particular line.

Hope that helps!

 

[anonymousegirl]

The problem with the GAC is that it won't shelter the boy from the sun while walking around the parks. It may help at a few attractions, but the real danger I see is in between attractions.

 

[livndisney]

Go to the Guest Relations Department (at any of the parks) and explain the situation...you may want to have a note from your son's Dr., but it isn't necessary.
You should be issued a Guest Assistance Card (GAC) that will allow him (and your family) to wait in a shaded area (where available) for the attractions. I've had a friend with this problem and that is what she did. Unfortunately, not all attractions have an area, so you'll either have to save them for when the sun goes down or when the sun is not shining in that particular line.

Hope that helps!

A GAC is not really going to help since the sun in line is not the problem. Most lines are shaded/air conditioned. The few that have another area to wait are few and far between. Like I said, the problem is not going to be the lines. Dumbo ride-direct sun, BTMR ride-direct sun, waiting for a parade-direct sun, walking to the bathroom-direct sun etc.

The best you can do is cover your son and plan. Long sleeves and hats are very important. Evening hours will help a great deal. (We pray for rain/cloud cover so we can go play LOL). If you have a cloudy day head to MK otherwise go in the evening. Use an umbrella to shade him going from airconditioned building to airconditioned building in Epcot and for WS and other open spaces like walking to and from buses and hotel room.

 

[buffettgirl]

what about an umbrella?

I would also suggest that you probably come up with a really good touring plan that would maximize indoor spaces as much as you can during the day and then do outdoor things at night. Probably sleep in each morning and stay up till park close as much as you can.

 

[SueM in MN]

As was mentioned, most attraction lines are pretty well shaded, so a Guest Assistance Card will really not be helpful for avoiding sun.
If we find ourselves waiting in the sun, we position ourselves to shade our daughter. In most cases, in line you will only be in the sun for very short periods and can pretty much avoid exposure for our DD.

Also, as people pointed out, the biggest sun exposure is going to be going between attractions and also waiting for and watching parades.

Many people go to the park early, at rope drop and do touring for a few hours. The sun is not as high or likely to cause burning before 10 am. Then, go do something out of the sun until later afternoon when the angle of the dun is again not as likely to cause burns. Tour plans can help you to minimize your time in the sun.
With some cover up clothing and sunblock ( not sunscreen), you should be able to avoid damage to your son's skin.

I can't search for it right now, but there was a recent thread with information and links to companies that make sunblock clothing. Long sleeves don't have to be hot - it depends how they are made and what they are made of.

 

[CurlyJo224]

My sister has a similar problem as a side effect of one of her medications. The trick with long sleeves and pants is to go with as light (thin) material as possible and still have the sun protection. I wear long sleeves and pants in a gauzy material when out in the sun as I burn to a crisp, and sometimes it actually feels cooler not to have the sun beating down on you.

Aside from pants and long sleeves, I don't have any solutions for while on rides, but you might be able to just drape some light fabric over him (like a loose blanket) while between rides.

Try some sporting goods type stores, they may have some clothes that will help. Longer term, there are several websites with sun protective clothing like:

http://www.coolibar.com/

http://www.solartex.com/

http://www.sunprecautions.com/

http://solareclipse.com/

 

[tinkandpan]

My mother just had this issue when we last went- she was taking a medication that just reacted horribly with the sun. She visited REI or places like that before we left for camping and hiking hats that were lightweight and offered coverage. Try rashguard shirts, or long pants that are made of the lightweight material. Go in the morning, take afternoon breaks and then go back at night. Also we did have a GAC for lines- but like most people said, most of the lines are under cover.

 

[PatMcDuck]

My DD has Juvenile Dermatomyositis. It can be triggered by sun exposure, and it is a serious illness that takes 2-3 years to get back into remission (IV drugs, and injections of chemo required, along with damaging high doses of steroids).

All I can say is lots of sunscreen, hats, and go at night as much as you can. My daughter WAY preferred going at night, she said she could relax and not be so stressed out. that is one thing good about going in the summer, parks open late. She even liked going out during the rain, she felt "safe".

Many parents buy the clothing that shields the sun too, and the hats that have a cloth that covers the back of the neck.

 

[fitzpa]

My dad has skin cancer and wears clothing from Coolibar or LL Bean. He doesn't find their long sleeves to be too hot. He also uss a wide brim hat and and umbrella if he has to be out during peak hours.

 

[starshine514]

I reiterate other's suggestions. Go early, leave, come back later. Wear rash guards or other high-SPF clothing, get him hats with wide brims, neck covers and SPF as well. Get some SPF 100 sunscreen and apply liberally. An umbrella sounds like a good idea, too. Plan your touring accordingly, with outdoor attractions done at night and areas where you can spend a lot of time inside done during the day. Stay until closing every night!

Good luck. I hope he still has a great time!

 

[libraryfreak]

My sister has a similar problem as a side effect of one of her medications. The trick with long sleeves and pants is to go with as light (thin) material as possible and still have the sun protection. I wear long sleeves and pants in a gauzy material when out in the sun as I burn to a crisp, and sometimes it actually feels cooler not to have the sun beating down on you.

Aside from pants and long sleeves, I don't have any solutions for while on rides, but you might be able to just drape some light fabric over him (like a loose blanket) while between rides.

Try some sporting goods type stores, they may have some clothes that will help. Longer term, there are several websites with sun protective clothing like:

http://www.coolibar.com/

http://www.solartex.com/

http://www.sunprecautions.com/

http://solareclipse.com/

I don't know about the others, but Coolibar is great. Under Armour also makes UV Heat Gear clothing. They didn't sell it locally, I had to order online.

 

[livndisney]

We just got a couple of rashguard shirts from Lands End (they have both long and short sleeve) that seem to work really well. I bought them in light colors (they had a good sale). They dry pretty quick and seem to help keep you cooler while they are drying. They kept the sun off us.