Glass in Walkways of Parks

[Kathyandtyler]

During the last two years when I visited the parks, the shins of my legs break out in a strange rash that looks like sort of like hives. I've never done this anywhere else. Last year I either saw on these boards or heard at WDW that they put glass in the asphalt and other people have this problem.

1) Have any of you experienced this problem???
2) Do you know of a way to help prevent it???

Thanks so much

 

[Micca]

The Disney rash is legendary It has something to do with the heat from the pavement reflecting onto your legs. Typically the rash isn't itchy or painful and will disappear when you a) cover your legs, or b) go home.

 

[eeyore0062]

We go to the water parks all of the time... have annual passes and we haven't ever experienced this phenomenon. However I have read about it on this board and it seems it isn't confined to the water parks. From looking at the walkways in the waterparks, etc, I have never noticed anything that resembles glass. The sun does reflect fairly strongly from the pavement of all walkways, and if you have sensitive skin that could contribute to it.

 

[Jennie in TO]

Do you put a sunblock on your legs? Maybe that would help.

 

[SnackyStacky]

There are three choices:

1.) Sunblock ALL the way down to your feet

2.) Tube socks that cover your shins and calves

3.) The Alkatraz-style protection of a #1 & #2 combo.

 

[tinkerbee]

This happen to me one year. It burned and itched so bad on my feet(I wear sandels at the parks). I started putting sunscreen on my feet and it didn't do it again.

 

[Stacerita]

Put sunscreen ALL over and you shouldn't have a problem. I tend to have a "sensivity" to the sun and generally have to be a little more protective so whenever Im out in the sun all day I make sure I slather on tons of sunscreen. Usually I use the kind they have out for babies. Its thicker and heavier, something like spf 45, but it totally does the trick. I did this on my last visit and had no problems at all.

 

[NotUrsula]

If you have lots of itchy or burning bumps on the lower leg, the odds are that it is Polymorphic Light Eruption (PMLE). PMLE is a type of allergic reaction to a sudden high dose of UV radiation, especially on the legs, which tend not to be sun-exposed as often as the arms and face.

Dermatologists like to say that there is a 4F factor for PMLE: persons most at risk for it are Female, 40, Fair, and Fat (not necessarily obese, just somewhat overweight.) The bad news is that once you get it, the chances of getting it again go WAY up.

The best way to deal with it is prevention. Most drs. recommend "hardening" the skin of the legs with gradual exposure to UV A *and* B for several weeks leading up to the anticipated high exposure. This can be done by sunbathing for short periods or using tanning beds, again, about 10 minutes at a time. If that isn't an option, slathering on a broad-spectrum sunscreen every hour and taking an antihistamine before going out in the sun usually help. I take Claritin, myself; I haven't had it happen again since I started taking it before and during vacations in very sunny places.

Once you get it, the best treatment is an antihistamine or steroid cream. It is NOT the same as the sort of heat rash one gets when skin folds chafe together; using things like talcum powder on it may actually make it worse.

 

[Hippychickali]

I have never heard of this glass in the asphalt theory. So does PMLE have anything to do with that?

Ali

 

[NotUrsula]

I don't know about glass in sidewalks, but I know that reflection from snow is sometimes a factor in worsening PMLE. (PMLE on the face/neck isn't common, but it does happen.) I would guess it would depend on the angle of the sun vs. the angle of the concrete surface, in terms of the angle of the reflection of the radiation. BTW, I rather doubt that the substance in the sidewalks is actual ground glass; it is probably quartz sand. Using 100% quartz sand makes concrete more durable, and it also makes it appear a bit sparkly.

Estimates are that 10% of the US population is susceptible to PMLE. In Scandinavia, the numbers run as high as 20%. It is a big medical issue in Europe b/c PMLE strikes large numbers of northern Europeans when they are on vacation in Spain.

 

[Beca]

Wow!! Well, count me in the 10%!! I have never received this rash from WDW, but when I was in high scool (and all of 100lbs), I got a tanning membership from a salon just before prom. I am blonde, blue-eyed and fair. I got that reaction ALL over my body!! It was awful. So, I guess I was just in the "2F" category...Female and Fair (although now I would be MUCH closer to the 4F ).

But, this has never happened to me at WDW...I guess time will tell!!!



Beca

 

[luvthatduke]

The first thing I thought of while reading here
was the horrible sunburns my DH has gotten
at the Shore.
The reflection from the sand can really do a number
on someone who isn't slathered down w/sunblock!

Thanks for the great info - I've added Benadryl Cream
to my list "just in case."

 

[goofy4tink]

That got me last August!!! It was really hot and humid..more so that usual. I am definately female, over forty and about 10 lbs overweight and more or less pretty fair. But, this had never happened to me before that trip. The backs of my calves were a mess. Red, bumpy but not really itchy or painful. Within 2 days of being home it was gone. It did not happen in late Nov. We'll see what happens in June. But I think I'll take a Clariten also and use a lot of sunscreen this time and see if that helps.

 

[SeaSpray]

Not sure if this was ever proven or disproven, but another theory as to what causes the rash on the lower legs while at Disney is the chemical they used to wash down the sidewalks every night or morning. Some people feel that even though its dry by the next day, the remaining residue gets kicked up and can land on the skin of the lower leg, thus causing a rash.

 

[NotUrsula]

Just FYI: There is another "leg problem" that happens to some folks at WDW, that is sometimes referred to as "sock rash". That one does not itch or burn, but is just a pattern of very red skin w/ lots of little red dots, usually starting at a clear line right above where socks stop. It's often accompanied by swelling. That one is not actually a rash, it is edema caused by being on one's feet a lot more than usual. The red dots are blood leaking from capillaries just under the skin. The pattern forms above the sock line because the pressure of the elastic in the socks usually prevents it where the socks cover.

 

[Hippychickali]

Not sure if this was ever proven or disproven, but another theory as to what causes the rash on the lower legs while at Disney is the chemical they used to wash down the sidewalks every night or morning. Some people feel that even though its dry by the next day, the remaining residue gets kicked up and can land on the skin of the lower leg, thus causing a rash.

Hmmm...does anyone know any more about this?

Ali

 

[Chuck S]

I would think if it were residue from a strong cleaning chemical, it would affect a lot more people, and it would damage the landscaping plants. Truthfully, I think the main thing they clean the park walkways with is high pressure water.

 

[Hippychickali]

I would think if it were residue from a strong cleaning chemical, it would affect a lot more people, and it would damage the landscaping plants. Truthfully, I think the main thing they clean the park walkways with is high pressure water.

That's what I thought too. I was thinking if this is true, how very unenvironmental of Disney. I wouldn't think they would be that blatant.

Ali

 

[BAST]

Just FYI: There is another "leg problem" that happens to some folks at WDW, that is sometimes referred to as "sock rash". That one does not itch or burn, but is just a pattern of very red skin w/ lots of little red dots, usually starting at a clear line right above where socks stop. It's often accompanied by swelling. That one is not actually a rash, it is edema caused by being on one's feet a lot more than usual. The red dots are blood leaking from capillaries just under the skin. The pattern forms above the sock line because the pressure of the elastic in the socks usually prevents it where the socks cover.

I had this happen to me when we went to WDW in August. I had been wearing two pairs of socks and tying my shoes tight to prevent blisters. However, it caused this problem. I then loosened my shoes and wore only one pair of socks and this went away very quickly.

 

[GEM]

Wow. I have notoriously sensetive skin. I break out in hives, bumps, and rashes at the drop of a hat! However, I have never ever had a problem at Disney like you guys are describing. I wonder if that's because I always slather every exposed inch of me with sunscreen, from the top of my head to the tips of my toes? I burn really easy, so I would never wear shorts and sandals without lots of sunscreen on my legs and feet. Interesting.

Oh, and I'm pretty sure that all they use to clean the pavement is a very high pressure hose - no chemicals.