That nasty 'WDW Rash'!!!

[goofy4tink]

Thanks guys. I did use a good sunscreen....a 30 with the titanium stuff in it, didn't burn though, so that's good!!! And it's funny the way the rash runs...from my ankles to mid-calf. I wore my Crocs the whole time, so it wasn't that I had socks on that came to my ankles. There was a really good line of demarcation on my ankles where the rash started. And the rash never got to be a 'raised rash' like prickly heat or such...it was all completely under the skin...big ole ugly red circles that started joining forces to make me look like a leper!!! But, it started getting better as soon as we left WDW. All that pavement/asphalt in the heat/humidity must be the issue.
I'll double check with my doctor, and show her the pictures, and see what she says. She was clueless the last time I asked. It only happens when it's really hot....never in the fall or winter months!!! But, it's completely gone now. As soon as I get back to 'normal' weather, I'm fine. Looks like those hot-weather trips might have to come to an end.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

When I was training for the 3-Day Breast Cancer walk last year had this similar rash. We were calling "road rash". But according to the 3-day web-site it is as follows.
Capillaritis is the name given to a harmless skin condition in which there are small reddish-brown patches caused by leaky capillaries (very tiny blood vessels) primarily on the legs. These capillaries become inflamed resulting in tiny red dots that look like cayenne pepper to appear on the skin. The cause is unknown but this condition may develop with prolonged impact activities such as walking. Blood thinning medication such as aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, such as Ibuprofen, and birth control pills may increase its occurrence.

There is no known cure for most causes of Capillaritis. It usually disappears within a few weeks, but may recur. Treatment is based on the presenting symptoms and can include:

Considering if a medication could be the cause.
Avoiding food preservatives and artificial coloring agents.
Application of a topical steroid cream (1% Hydrocortisone) to help relieve any associated itching.


We also found some information if you use this Banana Boat Product it has something in it that keeps the rash under control. I used it during training and during the 3-day and my legs still got the rash but no where near what some did that didn't use it.
http://www.bananaboat.com/products/10248.aspx?cat=6&curBrowseBy=SPF

 

[lorrainesy]

bump

 

[mikesmom97]

My DS had something like that when we were down in Oct 05 - but his was on his chest & stomach - I believe his was probably from the chlorine in the pools because he wore a shirt to the parks. It finally went away on its own.
I tried several different creams & it didn't touch it.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Perhaps, in the interest of medical knowledge, one of you mystery blotch sufferers would like to use an ECV, aka electric scooter, the next time you need to roam all over WDW. If you still get the rash, or do not, doctors the world over will be able to decide if WDW is hazardous to your health...we already know how it affects your sanity, don't we DIS-ers?

We might even be able to apply for a grant that would cover expenses for the duration of the study period...

Any volunteers?

Ooh-Oooh, pick me, pick me!! This sounds like a scientific study I could really get into. And I promise-I'd go to great lengths to study this, even if it took me weeks there!

 

[BamaFan121s]

My mom has actually gotten burns that required medical attention around the top of where her socks are from the heat off the pavement.

The past few trips, I've gotten a 'rash' on my arms that I *thought* was sun. It was like red, raised, itchy splotches. Well, I wasn't in the sun anymore in WDW than I am here at home sometimes and I've never had that problem here. Go to the tanning bed here...never had that problem. Oddly, it was scarce on one arm, but quite dense on the other.
Just this past trip, I discoved that *I think* it is from whatever detergent used to wash the sheets and pillows! The more broken out arm was the one I routinely sleep with UNDER the pillow/my head at night. I slept a night covered up with my blanket from home and it was gone by the nest day!

 

[phamton]

When I was training for the 3-Day Breast Cancer walk last year had this similar rash. We were calling "road rash". But according to the 3-day web-site it is as follows.
Capillaritis is the name given to a harmless skin condition in which there are small reddish-brown patches caused by leaky capillaries (very tiny blood vessels) primarily on the legs. These capillaries become inflamed resulting in tiny red dots that look like cayenne pepper to appear on the skin. The cause is unknown but this condition may develop with prolonged impact activities such as walking. Blood thinning medication such as aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, such as Ibuprofen, and birth control pills may increase its occurrence.

There is no known cure for most causes of Capillaritis. It usually disappears within a few weeks, but may recur. Treatment is based on the presenting symptoms and can include:

Considering if a medication could be the cause.
Avoiding food preservatives and artificial coloring agents.
Application of a topical steroid cream (1% Hydrocortisone) to help relieve any associated itching.


We also found some information if you use this Banana Boat Product it has something in it that keeps the rash under control. I used it during training and during the 3-day and my legs still got the rash but no where near what some did that didn't use it.
http://www.bananaboat.com/products/10248.aspx?cat=6&curBrowseBy=SPF

You are correct. I get this rash even when wearing jeans and have had the rash when walking around at night. There are several types of rashes: heat rash and sun allergy cause a rash that is on top of the skin but this rash is all under the skin. It isn't a true rash but broken capillairies under the skin, causing bleeding under the skin. It gets worse if your legs swell from edema. Anything you can do to keep your legs and ankles from swelling will help. Unlike heat rash, this rash only occurs from the knee down and usually stops at the ankles although I have had it spread to the feet. It happens worse in hot weather because your legs swell a little but I have had it happen in the winter when it isn't hot, if I have done a lot of walking on concrete or asphault.

 

[waughzee]

This is the rash I got in March of 2005. It is the only time I have gotten the "Disney rash", but I was on major antibiotics at the time (wound up having pneumonia shortly after my return). It took months for the rash to fully disappear.

 

[dawgsgirl]

I have been a victim of the mysterious Disney rash. Apparently there are several different kinds. I got mine in hot weather. It was on my lower calf right at my sock line. No itching, just red and awful looking. I am over 50, overweight, etc. I freaked out cause I thought I had a blood clot and went to Centra Care. They said I had sun poisoning and to stay out of the sun. Yea, sure. They said they see it all the time. Gave me a steroid shot, a Rx for steroids and antihistimines. The pharmicist was the most helpful. I should have gone there first. Very common condition, according to her! I never took any of the meds and it went away after a few days. Since that little episode, I wear higher crew socks, and soak from the knees down with Coppertone Spectra 3. I have not had a problem since. My rash came from the MK and I have read that there is crushed glass in the pavement there to make it sparkly. I have also read about this on the Community Board and it seems that folks have different kinds of rash. Some itch and some don't. Some of the rashes seem to be related to circulatory stuff and some don't. Take your pick! It is indeed very mysterious!!!

 

[goofy4tink]

You are correct. I get this rash even when wearing jeans and have had the rash when walking around at night. There are several types of rashes: heat rash and sun allergy cause a rash that is on top of the skin but this rash is all under the skin. It isn't a true rash but broken capillairies under the skin, causing bleeding under the skin. It gets worse if your legs swell from edema. Anything you can do to keep your legs and ankles from swelling will help. Unlike heat rash, this rash only occurs from the knee down and usually stops at the ankles although I have had it spread to the feet. It happens worse in hot weather because your legs swell a little but I have had it happen in the winter when it isn't hot, if I have done a lot of walking on concrete or asphault.

Yup, that sounds like it could be my rash!!! My blotches aren't tiny by any means...some of the spots are quite big. Big and round with a paler center, that gets worse as the days go on. That's exactly what it looks like..bleeding under the skin. And I do tend to retain water. And it's pretty much gone now, after 4 days in cooler weather and being off the poor feet. I'll have to have a print made and show it to the doctor...see if she agrees.

 

[tdryl98]

I get the rash too, however mine is always on my face. I can no longer spend a lot of time out in the sun due to the allergy. As my doctor explained to me I'm allergic to the sun and unless I cover up or coat myself in sunblock I'll come down with it when the sun is more intense. Like every time I vacation in fl or during the summer months in my home state. nothing works for me except a week long dose of methyIPEDNISolone, which is basically a steroid. works like a charm and i'm ok until the next time i don't use enough sunblock. The worst is my lips, they will actually get burns on them and swell no matter what i use, not even spf 45.
The bad news for me is that each time it happens it is worse then the last. but i refuse to give up my favorite vacation spot.

 

[phamton]

I was told at Epcot first aid that it was from reflection of the sun also. I believed it until I got the rash one night while walking around downtown Disney with jeans on. I've also heard the ground glass explanation also but why do I also get it at Universal Studios?

I get heat reah on my chest and it is not the same rash I get on my legs. My heat rash (prickly heat) is bumpy, pink, and itchy. The Disney rash I get on my legs is bright, bright red and all under the skin with no bumps. I've had it so much now that I can feel it before it starts. I get a burning/stinging in my legs (not really an itch). I get off my feet and elevate them if possible. I can usually stop it before it gets too bad. It is relatively harmless and just fades away after a few days. I have also taken a mild diuretic if I get swelling in my legs.

It tends to occur with the 4 F's: Fat, Forty, Female, and Fair skinned.

 

[disgirl]

About the rash: Do you get what look like tiny red pimples as part of this "rash" or is is just large red blotches?

I am fair skinned and as I am getting older (in my 40s) I notice I get these tiny red bumps clustered together on parts of my legs during the summer. When we returned from Florida last August I had this. If I go to the beach a couple of times a season and spend hours there each visit, I also seem to get this. I have to admit I usually do not put much suntan lotion on my legs, but I will def. do it more this summer to try and avoid this "rash".

 

[cjhentschel]

OMG! We just returned and I have that rash. Its not as bad as it was when we were down there but I still have some bumps but no redness like it was. It was all over my legs from my upper thigh to my lower calfs and partly on my arms. It wasn't as bad on my arms as it was on my legs. I looked like I had some kind of disease. I am sooo happy to hear its not only me that gets it. I get it every time we go down and it does go away after a few days of being home. Thanks for easing my mind.

Just to let you know - I am 31 and very fair. My bumps are little red bumps all over and in patches on my legs.

 

[ladysoleil]

I get the rash too, however mine is always on my face. I can no longer spend a lot of time out in the sun due to the allergy. As my doctor explained to me I'm allergic to the sun and unless I cover up or coat myself in sunblock I'll come down with it when the sun is more intense. Like every time I vacation in fl or during the summer months in my home state. nothing works for me except a week long dose of methyIPEDNISolone, which is basically a steroid. works like a charm and i'm ok until the next time i don't use enough sunblock. The worst is my lips, they will actually get burns on them and swell no matter what i use, not even spf 45.
The bad news for me is that each time it happens it is worse then the last. but i refuse to give up my favorite vacation spot.

I'm guessing if you're that sun sensitive you probably already know about this company already, but I get some wonderful stuff from a company called Coolibar that has fabulous sun protective clothing and hats. I love their new Garden hat, very cool and light but has a huge brim and gives you lots of coverage. I can't say enough good things about Coolibar- with my sun sensitivity/allergies, their stuff is an absolute lifesaver! It's www.coolibar.com if you're interested.