How to prevent sunburn on legs, reflected from sidewalks?

[angel's momma]

I remember reading threads about this - I tried a search, but couldn't find what I was looking for.

We went to a local amusement park yesterday & I wore short socks, but made sure that I put a lot of sunscreen on, but I didn't reapply it, and it was only spf30.

Will any of these options work: using a higher spf, reapplying through the day, or wearing longer socks?

Our first wdw trip was in Dec. & it was cool enough for pants, so I didn't have any problem, but it will be hot for our next trip.

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[kilee]

When we go to Florida I always bring that SPECTRA 3--- waterproof. I think it's made by Coopertone. I also believe it's an SPF 45. I usually reapply at least 2-3 times during the day. I don't want to have to deal w/ the hot, hot weather and a sunburn.

I have yet to get sunburned at WDW-- nor has my DS who is very fair skinned.

 

[tinkerbela]

well of course, wear sunscreen to help prevent burning on your legs. whatever SPF you have to use, use it. also, make sure it's waterproof if you go on any water rides, like splash mountain. read the label to see how many hours it can be on without any reapplying. to be safe, if you want, you can reapply the lotion on your legs. of course, don't forget your face and arms and neck. neck is a really bad place to get a sunburn.

 

[AJKMOM]

I prefer Bullfrog sunscreen.

 

[dawgsgirl]

I have been a victim of the mysterious Disney rash! Freaked me out so bad I went straight to Centracare! Based on advice on these boards, I have used Spectra 3 from Coppertone my last 3 trips and NO Disney rash. Needless to say, I am now a firm believer in Spectra 3.

 

[mill4023]

I read somewhere that anything higher than 30 is just marketing and isn't actually any more effective. In any case, the key is to reapply sunscreen several times throughout the day. Even if it says it's sweatproof and waterproof, it will lose some effectiveness after several hours of sweating. Most of the sunscreens say in their instructions to reapply it every few hours.

 

[Ilovestitch]

When we go to Florida I always bring that SPECTRA 3--- waterproof. I think it's made by Coopertone. I also believe it's an SPF 45.

That's exactly what we use and we never get burnt. We put a lot on in the morning in the hotel room and then take a small bottle and stick to reapply during the day.

 

[2x_dis_dad]

We used bullfrog spray spf 36, it lasts 8 hours. It worked great for us. I would try it at home for the first time. It is pretty strong.

 

[Poohbear123]

I have been a victim of the mysterious Disney rash! Freaked me out so bad I went straight to Centracare! Based on advice on these boards, I have used Spectra 3 from Coppertone my last 3 trips and NO Disney rash. Needless to say, I am now a firm believer in Spectra 3.

This actually happened to me for the FIRST time my last trip in May. I even USED sunscreen, and it seemed to make it WORSE! So, I rolled my socks WAY down below the area, and it seemed to work better. At night, I would apply Neosporin to the area, and it cleared up even before I went home!

 

[CleveRocks]

I read somewhere that anything higher than 30 is just marketing and isn't actually any more effective. In any case, the key is to reapply sunscreen several times throughout the day. Even if it says it's sweatproof and waterproof, it will lose some effectiveness after several hours of sweating. Most of the sunscreens say in their instructions to reapply it every few hours.

MEDICAL FACT. Anything over SPF 30 is a myth.

-- Eric

 

[goofyernmost]

I don't know!! I'm still trying to figure out how I treat my skin like a MAN by putting face cream on it and also trying to make it hurt to shave. But the TV tells me that my lack of problem is all in my head. Or perhaps, out of my head. I'm so confused!

 

[720L]

This disney rash you mention.....is it tons of tiny red bumps that itch?? My daughter got that the last time we were there and it wasn't incredibly hot so it wasn't heat rash. I figured it was from having sunscreen on all day every day and it was clogging her pores?? This only happened on her legs. If this is the rash you mention I may try that sunscreen. We've tried Coppertone babies & Coppertone face sunscreen-both gave her a rash.

 

[goofy4tink]

I've been to WDW in the summertime twice now, in late Oct, Nov, and Dec and have only gotten the dreaded 'rash' once..last summer. Yes, I am fair skinned, but it's never happened before. I usually don't use a lot of sunscreen on my legs since they have plenty of color by the time I get to WDW and burning hasn't been an issue. But, last summer, after 4 days in the parks, the rash appeared...red, itchy bumps all over the backs of my calves. Stopped at my sock line and didn't go past my knees. I took some Ibu and tried to swim everyday. That helped some. Put Gold Bond powder on them at night. By the time we had been home for about 3 days, the rash was gone. I'll have to look into the Spectra this time since we're going in 10 days and the sun will be brutal.

 

[gigi1313]

we slick ourselves up w/sunscreen in the room before we go out in the morning and use spwipes (sunscreen towelettes) for touch ups throughout the day... they are so easy and convenient and not messy at all... i buy them at www.spwipes.com

 

[KimWDW]

I'm very fair and I re-apply SPF 30 every hour. It works for me. I also shower it off at night before bed.

 

[dawgsgirl]

I remember a thread on the Community Board about this awhile back and this is where I got my info. Apparently there are at least 2 different kinds of Disney rash. Both look the same--patches of really red bumps. Some itch and some don't. Some seem to be brought on by sun and some seem to be a circulation problem. My Disney rash did not itch. Centrcare diagnosed it as an allergic reaction to the sun. Mine also stopped at my sock line. I now wear socks that come up about halfway to my knee and soak my legs in
Spectra 3. No more problems! I think I read that the pavement at the MK has crushed up glass in it and this adds to the problem. I had been at the MK for 2 days when I got the Disney rash. OK--are you confused now?

 

[meandtheguys2]

Try dabbing on the sunscreen and letting it set a couple of minutes before you rub it in. Also, put it on at least 15 min. before you go into the sun. This advice given by my dermatologist. Tried it in Jan. and it worked better, if not perfect!

 

[angel's momma]

Thanks for the info everyone

I don't think mine is the rash because it's not bumpy, but it also never hurt the way a sunburn usually does. It starts where my very low socks ended & goes for about 3 inches, and has a few blistery spots.

I'll plan to wear longer socks & reapply.

 

[holden]

Be extra vigilant about reapplying sunscreen. I got a bad sunburn while sitting in the shade! Yes - on a cruise ship. I was sitting in complete shade on the pool deck (under the deck above me). No sun anywhere near my seat. I think it reflected off of the water (pool water most likely).