Red blotchies on inside of legs (sorry, y'all)

[nolabella]

Just got back from a week in Disney and I had this rash bad! I only get it in Disney. Usually get it every year just a little by my feet and ankles. Always have thought it was a reaction from water in the water rides. This time my legs were so bad from ankles to knees that i went to the first aid station and the nurse said it was the " Disney Rash" otherwise known as golfers rash. The red marks actually looked like hives and they itched and hurt bad. She gave me Calagel and said to put my lets up as much as i could. The nurse said it would be better to wear pants, so i did for 2 days. That made it even worse! I live in New Orleans and our weather is very humid and hot like Florida. It just puzzles me that I never ever get it at home but only get it at Disney!

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

No... chafing would be above the knee... not below, the knee.

As previous posters have said, it's Most Likely..... really, really, really, very likely..... golfer's vasculitis.

I am so happy you posted this picture and that the OP asked the original question! I got the exact same rash when I went to Disney's California Adventure on July 4th. It took a few days to go away and I couldn't figure out what it was. Mystery solved!

 

[GovieMom]

The red marks actually looked like hives and they itched and hurt bad.

Same with me; my rash itched like I had poison ivy! All of those who had the rash without any itch are soooo lucky, as the intense itching drove me nuts! And like nolabella, I also live in a hot, humid state, and never experienced this condition anywhere other than WDW.

 

[RejoyceoverDisney]

I just got back Saturday and the first day had it only around the ankles and I figured it was cause of the plane ride (I got all puffy) and had jeans on.
Then as the week progressed so did my leg start to look like the picture posted. I did all that people on here said "elevate my legs, ice compresses" I was also taking Ibuprofen because of other inflammation and had hydrocortisone cream because it did itch, mostly at night because I had blankets on my legs and they got hot. But it still wasn't fun.

I've had similar happen here in Massachusetts summers if I'm on my feet for long periods of time in the humidity. I always thought it was allergy related.

When it started going all the way up my leg I did a internet search on my phone and found out this same information posted here about Disney/Golfers rash so I stopped worrying and enjoyed.

I wonder if I didn't get it my last trip in 2010 because I took afternoon breaks and wasn't walking quite as rushed as this trip. Lesson for the future, maybe that afternoon pool break has more value than having the kids cool off.

 

[goofy4tink]

Seems to be different things being described here. Golfers vasculitis is an internal issue. There is nothing you can put on it. It usually doesn't hurt or itch. It occurs in a certain group of people...the four Fs...female, 50+, fair, and fat..I take issue with the fat. You don't have to be fat, but it can happen if you are just a bit overweight!
I had it horribly every time I went to WDW from April through October. Heat and humidity are a huge issue for this. Add the fact that you're on your feet more than usual? Perfect storm. As soon as I got home and off my feet, and cooler, it went away within 2 days!
So...I asked my doctor about it. She said it was probably a rash from eczema or psoriasis. No, don't think so. I took a photo of it the next year. She said the same thing, and showed it to the other doctors in the practice. Same response. I knew that wasn't the answer, so I went online. I found out all about vasculitis! I printed out the info and brought it to my next appt. my doctor looked at, gasped, and brought my records up. Seems that a blood pressure med I was on, for the previous 5 years, exacerbated the vasculitis! She was horrified that they had all missed the vasculitis to begin with. Well, long story short, my b/p med was changed. Since then, I've had a much milder 'attack'. I probably wouldn't even notice it if I wasn't looking for it. But it was so bad to begin with that people would stop and stare. I looked like I had something really awful, like leprosy!
Just about the only thing you can do is to use cool compresses and elevate your legs. Time in a cool pool helps too.

 

[Micca]

Pixie hickeys! I used to get it, dunno why I don't get it now. It never caused me any discomfort, it was just there. As a guy I don't really care if my legs are looking great, so no sweat,

 

[GovieMom]

It occurs in a certain group of people...the four Fs...female, 50+, fair, and fat..I take issue with the fat. You don't have to be fat, but it can happen if you are just a bit overweight!

Seems that a blood pressure med I was on, for the previous 5 years, exacerbated the vasculitis!

I fit into the four F group (though overweight, but not fat). And my doctor told me the same thing, that my BP medicine made the condition worse. It itched like crazy!! The only time this ever happened to me was during our May trip, when the weather was extremely hot and humid. Never again will I go May thru mid-October!

 

[720L]

I am only 2 of the 4 (female and fair) and have gotten this almost every summer trip. Not in the cooler months. Drives me crazy. Kind of itchy but not really. Will go away during the trip a little then come back.

 

[natfrac]

I started getting the Disney Rash a couple trips ago. Epsom Salts baths seem to help a bit.

 

[Cee]

OMG! I've experienced this the past two years and didn't know what the heck was going on! I feel much better now. I walk alot at Disney, it's freaking HOT most of the time and......I guess....I'm OLD. GAH! The past few trips have been in Oct. for F & W Festival. This next trip is in Dec. If the temperature is lower and it's not as hot and humid, I'm curious if it will happen again. I'll keep you posted. Thanks, all!

 

[bc7ate9]

My husband gets this and he is not female, not fat (he has, like, zero body fat), 37, and maybe fair skinned, depending on your definition of that.

 

[ktlm]

I've gotten the Disney rash since I was in my 20s and a size 4. It mostly happens on EPCOT days and rarely happens at the other parks even if it is hot and I walk for 12 hours in the parks. It doesn't happen at Disneyland, but I also get it in New York City. Supposedly golfer's vasculitis doesn't itch that much- the rash I get is itchy. I have very fair and sensitive skin and I think it is an allergic reaction to either something on or in the pavement, and/or the reflection from the pavement. Benedryl cream usually helps it quite a bit. Sometimes it is gone by morning, and sometimes it takes a day or two. Mine usually appears on the tops of my feet if they are exposed and from about the bottom of my calves down to my ankle. I think it is from dirt or chemicals from the pavement or the components of certain kinds of pavement themselves-- or maybe some type of heat or sun rash from the reflection off the pavement.

 

[MarieA]

I get it every time I go to WDW. I think it has something to do with the water. I noticed on my last trip that it started after I went into the pool. I have been to numerous places that are hotter and more humid than WDW and have never gotten this rash.

 

[Spokavegas]

My mom actually got it so badly in Epcot (it hurt!) - that we took her to the Urgent Care near DTD, and they diagnosed her with "Disney Dermatitis!" doc said (as others have confirmed) - that it's from the heat and the crazy amounts of walking more than usual. Only cure is to keep your feet up, and that ain't happening at Disney!

 

[hiroMYhero]

There have been some reports that it's more apt to happen during/after a day at Epcot. The walkways at Epcot are composed of more glass/materials that are more reflective than other park's walkways. The greater reflection adversely affects lower legs.

 

[CuteAsMinnie]

There have been some reports that it's more apt to happen during/after a day at Epcot. The walkways at Epcot are composed of more glass/materials that are more reflective than other park's walkways. The greater reflection adversely affects lower legs.

Well now that is interesting.....
We were in Epcot one day, The a Studios the next and that is where I got hit. Rash on one leg, knee in brace due to sprained knee on the other. What fun all that was!!!

 

[RejoyceoverDisney]

I posted way back that I got this when I went in 2013.
Not sure if it's coincidence or not but in 2014 I went in February and then again in November and I did not get this at all.
The difference was I took afternoon breaks. I would sit at the edge of the pool and cool my legs/feet and sometimes my body down.
I also did not wear long pants at all on the 2014 trips but did the arrival day of 2013.

I'm going back next week. Packing the "do this" materials again just in case but I'm also going to make sure to take my afternoon breaks.

Will see how I do on this 6 day vacation. But at least I know what I need to do if I do get it.

FYI I have found Epsom salt baths help a lot for other things like upset digestive track or just sore feet. I'll be picking some up when I get down there and get some water bottles and snack items. Even if I don't take a full bath I'll at least soak my feet if I need to.

 

[4Mickeys]

I was interested to read all your posts - it was the picture that drew me to it. I had this on our trip to Disneyland last year. We flew from Australia, had been to DL for 3 days then had a LEGOLAND day. We were there in September and they had a week of really hot days high 90s to early 100s. On LEGOLAND day I wore flip flops and we caught a bus tour down and back. I didn't notice anything all day but after entering our room I felt a little itchy and looked down to some very very swollen lower legs! I also got the rash similar to your picture. Now as someone who has battled anxiety and panic attacks with a specific phobia of DVTs as a solo mum a long way from home with my 3 kids it really freaked me out. But I was so proud of myself I self-talked my way through it. Elevated and iced my legs - I had it everyday to varying degrees for the rest of our 3 week trip. I also went to DL First-Aid and she said it was most likely golfer's vasculitis but if it kept up to get it checked by a doctor as I had a recent long-haul flight. So as our flight home approached my anxiety about it increased - so ended up at Doctors them hospital for an ultrasound to rule out DVT (which it did) thank goodness for Travel Insurance lol. I had never experienced this before. I was 42, an a bit overweight and unfit. I was expecting sore feet and muscle pain from all the walking not this! It's weird that General Practitioners don't seem that familiar with it nor diagnose properly.

Good luck with your trip this time.

 

[Chicago Mo]

Does anyone use Water pills? would this help?

 

[Leigh123]

Wow thanks for this thread....I get this every year mid trip and thought it was from the water chemicals in the rides...I am only one of the 4 f's....we go every sept an it is very hot, and I never wear tennis shoes/sneakers. This could be my mystery solved. I will say my is always itichey though, and the last few years I have taken cortisone creme and it seems to help.