Daughter has sun/heat allergy

[karliebug]

My 7 year old has a sun/heat allergy. She breaks out in big hive like welts on her face,neck,chest and arms. We are going to disney in August. in the past we have managed by going to EMH and a big floppy hat, although she still had some problems. Will it be possible to get a GAC for her to use fastpass entrance or to have the CM give us a return time so I can take her to wait in an air conditioned area? For example if the wait time is 30 minutes, can we just come back 30 minutes later and get right on? Waiting in the heat is going to be hard for her to do without breaking out. Any suggestions as what to say to get what she needs?

 

[lovethattink]

I had asked this question when I started to take medicine that made me not sweat. I was told the GAC is just for staying out of the sun. It gives you a shady area, but you are still out in the heat.

 

[Hannathy]

Are you sure you want to go in August? It will be HOT from morning till late at night. I am already wishing we could go when it is cooler but DD can't miss school anymore. Even with a GAC it will still be Hot to walk around or do anything, there is no escaping the heat or sun in Florida in August.

 

[Schmeck]

I wouldn't go in August with a sun allergy either! You're going to be out in the sun much more walking between attractions than in line. The heat is so intense, by 9:00 AM it is "boiling out", as my mom liked to say on our last trip. Even at 6 PM it was still uncomfortably hot and humid.

I'd reschedule for sometime late fall, when the sun and humidity won't be so intense!

Also, most queues at WDW are under some cover, so waiting in line is mostly out of the sun, at least that's what we found when we were there.

 

[rigs32]

I have a sun allergy. I wear light but long sleeved clothing if I'm going to be in the sun for any length of time.

 

[spiceycat]

I have sun allergies too...

take an umbrella - so she always can escape the sun. Don't wait in any lines longer than 10 minutes (Okay sometimes the sign says 20 or 30 minutes) - try it - if she out in the sun too long - believe me you will know.

most of this time will be under a roof.... still hot - but not like the sun....

get out of the park no later than 11:00am (I am generally gone by 10 to 10:30) .... I know a big deal. but the sun can get so hot and you don't want her to get sick. You can go back at 4:00pm (I generally wait until 6 pm to be sure).

now between 11 am and 4 pm you can go to the malls - inside areas - but I can't even go swimming - the sun is just too much. If she can - then let her.

I stay at DVC resorts - where I can watch a video/DVD, play a game, or my favorite, read a book.... well besides taking a nap....

Why can't you use EMH this time - are you staying offsite? that really helps with sun allergy.

oh if you can get a prescription sun screen - you can only get a 50 over the counter - but I 70 with a prescription...

she will still need that hat - no escaping it - even with the unbrella....

if you find yourself in the park with no way to get back to your hotel - then go to the nurse station. she can cold off there and the nurses are familiar with this problem.

You know without sunscreen I won't be able to visit WDW. when I went in the 70's before sunscreen it was big hats, and long dresses with long shelves....but for summer wear (not winter). I am not sure these things are even made today...

sunscreen stops some of the sun effects - but she still has to watch her time.

if you are out in the sun more than an 45 minutes - just go inside - does not matter where.... (okay an hour - but that is pushing it for me).

of course no matter how bad - at least we can be in the sun. those poor kids who are so allergic to the sun that it destroys skin cells immediately.... count your blessing not your worries.

 

[ducklite]

The GAC doesn't generally use the fast pass lane. What WDW wants you to do is get and use Fast Passes where available, and then use alternate waiting areas otherwise. Some attractions don't have either--Dumbo, Aladdin come to mind, and it's avisable to do those during EMH or in the evening.

I agree with the others, if at all possible, visit WDW during another time of the year.

Anne

 

[taximomfor4]

OK, I talked to my ex who has this problem too. Here is a product website he recommended. It has clothing that breathes -- and has 50 spf protection I think.

nozone



Also, the majority of lines are shaded. He said to be more concerned about waiting for parade (shouldn't even be at the parks at parade time) and walking between attractions. DEFINITELY a broad hat ( I think nozone has sunblocking ones).

Good luck, have a great time and stay cool! August'll be tough. Depending on which sun allergy she has (Polymorphous Light Eruption "PMLE", Actinic Prurigo "Hereditary PMLE", Photoallergic Eruption, or Solar Urticaria), risks are different.

Beth

 

[disney-super-mom]

I'm also very photosensitive (sun and heat allergy). I would break out in red hives, which would feel very hot to the touch for hours. There were even times when I actually became ill (kinda felt like I had the flu, sick to my stomach, etc...) and that would last for a couple of days.

Recently, I learned from my physician that most allergic reactions, such as hives, is a histamine reaction in the body (of course I thought to myself "Well, no duh! Why didn't I think of that?"). My physician suggested that I take an over the counter, non-drowsy antihistamine, and then see how I do in the sun.

So, I went to Walmart and bought a bottle of Equate 24 hour, non-drowsy allergy relief (it's Loratadine 10 mg) and started taking it this spring, thinking no way is this gonna help me. Well, you know what? It really DID HELP, and I mean A LOT! For the first time in my life (and I'm 35 year old) I could go out in the sun, and not get hives or feel sick. I now take one every morning, and I'll continue to do so during the summer and early fall, while it's still quite sunny and warm out.

Of course, I still wear plenty of sunscreen to keep from getting burned, and I try to stay in the shade when possible, but now I don't panic if I HAVE to be out in the sun for a little while. I actually spent 5 days during the 4th of July week out on a lake, on a boat, in the sun practically everyday, and I had no problems! It was FREEDOM!

I suggest you talk to your daughter's pediatrician and run the idea by him/her. It certainly helped me, and if your pediatrician thinks it's safe for your daughter, you should give it a try.

Hope you have a wonderful time at Disneyworld!

 

[Cheshire_cat]

Try doing a google search on SPF clothes for kids. There are alot of long sleeve clothes made of a fabric called Coolmax which is breathable and wicks away sweat to keep you cool AND it is SPF rated. I wish I had invested in a couple of these shirts! I did get a Tilly hat which has an SPF 50 rating. It kept me very cool and shady - well at least my head!

Hope this helps!

 

[tiggerUK]

hiya,

just wondering if you guys have heard of cobbers?

The Cobber is an innovative Body Cooling Neck Wrap that has been designed to help battle the harsh Australian climate. Based on two great Outback products - the Coolgardie Safe & the Hessian Bag - the Cobber lowers body temperature by cooling the carotid arteries of the neck, providing a natural evaporative cooling system for the body.

The environmentally friendly, non-toxic product is made from poly-cotton material filled with cooling crystals. Simply soak your Cobber in clean cool water for approx 15 minutes - remove - distribute the crystals evenly by running your hand down the Cobber and replace into the water for a further 20 minutes. Now the Cobber is ready to use. It keeps cooling for 2-3 DAYS, and can be reactivated again, and again, by soaking it in water. it also feels dry to the touch so you're not dripping with water!!

search google for cobber, hope they help someone.

 

[snowwite]

Try Blue Iguana sunblock. It works really well.
Go to parks early am and eves

 

[jessey]

Okay i have a disability that includes sun sensitivity that sounds very similar to yours and live in florida and i do have a few tricks for you. i have a guest assistance pass for both using a wheelchair entrance and shaded entrance. Many times this will keep you out of the sun and in a cooler area. The worst part of the day for uv is around noon and that is also the hottest time. When traveling around the park it self i use the shops to travel (mk is the best place for this) and there are lots of trees. These are the tricks i use in the summer. Also if you are parking on property the worst two parks for disabled parking are magic kingdom and epcot. Avoid parking at those two places.

 

[bumpysheep]

Try Blue Iguana sunblock. It works really well.
Go to parks early am and eves

Do you mean Blue Lizard? That's what my allergist has me use. If I'm going to be out in the sun I double up on my zrytec.

 

[spiceycat]

Recently, I learned from my physician that most allergic reactions, such as hives, is a histamine reaction in the body (of course I thought to myself "Well, no duh! Why didn't I think of that?"). My physician suggested that I take an over the counter, non-drowsy antihistamine, and then see how I do in the sun.

So, I went to Walmart and bought a bottle of Equate 24 hour, non-drowsy allergy relief (it's Loratadine 10 mg) and started taking it this spring, thinking no way is this gonna help me. Well, you know what? It really DID HELP, and I mean A LOT! For the first time in my life (and I'm 35 year old) I could go out in the sun, and not get hives or feel sick. I now take one every morning, and I'll continue to do so during the summer and early fall, while it's still quite sunny and warm out.

count your blessing - I have to take an antihistamine and 2 nose sprays daily and I still can't get in the sun....

you are very lucky girl!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

hiya,

just wondering if you guys have heard of cobbers?

you can get similar items in the US at places like Walmart in the camping/sporting goods area. You can also find directions on the internet for making cooling scarfs ....and here's another set of directions with photos.

I agree with taximomof4, who said

Also, the majority of lines are shaded. He said to be more concerned about waiting for parade (shouldn't even be at the parks at parade time) and walking between attractions. DEFINITELY a broad hat ( I think nozone has sunblocking ones).

The majority of lines are shaded and WDW CMs have even posted in the past that some of the outdoor lines are air conditioned - you wouldn't think that the Jungle Cruise line was, but CMs who have worked there have indicated it is.
Even if you have a GAC that allows you to wait in shaded and/or cooler areas, you will still be getting a considerable amount of sun/time in the heat just getting from place to place. So, some of the hints like using the shops as the way to get down the main street of the parks without walking outside are very helpful.

The best ways to avoid the heat, sun and crowds are to go early in the morning or later in the day. Those also tend to be the less busy times and your waits in line will be less. A lot of attractions don't have wheelchair lines/entrances per se, and wheelchair users are waiting in line with everyone else. Some of the Fastpass lines are a long way to walk, although the wait for access from the Fastpass line will be short.

 

[graygables]

hiya,

just wondering if you guys have heard of cobbers?

The Cobber is an innovative Body Cooling Neck Wrap that has been designed to help battle the harsh Australian climate. Based on two great Outback products - the Coolgardie Safe & the Hessian Bag - the Cobber lowers body temperature by cooling the carotid arteries of the neck, providing a natural evaporative cooling system for the body.

The environmentally friendly, non-toxic product is made from poly-cotton material filled with cooling crystals. Simply soak your Cobber in clean cool water for approx 15 minutes - remove - distribute the crystals evenly by running your hand down the Cobber and replace into the water for a further 20 minutes. Now the Cobber is ready to use. It keeps cooling for 2-3 DAYS, and can be reactivated again, and again, by soaking it in water. it also feels dry to the touch so you're not dripping with water!!

search google for cobber, hope they help someone.

I tried one of these in Orlando in September, BUT they rely on a fairly dry air to evaporate and cool. The humidity was so high that the thing just stayed soggy and disgusting. It never did dry out until I got back home and set it in front of a vent. So, in dry climates, they are great, but get some humidity going and not so good.

 

[Merriwind]

I tried one of these in Orlando in September, BUT they rely on a fairly dry air to evaporate and cool. The humidity was so high that the thing just stayed soggy and disgusting. It never did dry out until I got back home and set it in front of a vent. So, in dry climates, they are great, but get some humidity going and not so good.

Agreed. We took these to WDW in May/June and while they were marginally cooling, they were wet and kind of slimy all the time. Not great for FL at all.

No advice for now, but hope for the future. My cousin was very allergic to the sun as a child. By the time he was in his teens, he started to outgrow it and now is a bit of a beach bum. Here's hoping your dd outgrows her sensitivity too!

 

[Belle1962]

I know I know--I post this tip every time heat issues come up----disposable ice packs. You squeeze to activiate and instant cold.

 

[karliebug]

I think we'll try the disposable ice packs. We have tried the slimy neck coolies-yuk. I think the sun protective clothing would just make her more hot (I can't imagine wearing long pants and long sleeves in August). Where is the best place to get the ice packs, Belle?