Am I allergic to biking? Help!

[GLC1968]

OK, this is very odd and I'm hoping I'm not alone so that someone can offer up some clue as to what I am dealing with here. This is not a TMI type post, by the way!

A little background info: I started riding a year ago. I live in the south, so riding in temps over 90 degrees is common. I have no alergies and I do not have sensitive skin. I always slather on the sunscreen when I ride and I've used multiple different brands. I noticed that I developed this unusual rash last year after my first long ride (65+ miles).

I get this red lumpy rash on the front of my thighs when I ride longer rides (50+ miles). It looks like bad welts (as if I scratched the hell out of a rash of some sort) on my legs at the end of the ride, but it goes down to just red splotches in the days following. It lasts about 3 or 4 days. It does not itch or hurt or burn or anything. It's very ugly, but I don't feel it at all (though it is normally warmer to the touch than the rest of my leg). Its only on the front near where my shorts end, but it doesn't matter which shorts I wear or which length they are (some cover the rash, some bisect it, and some are shorter than it).

Does anyone have any ideas? Oh, and it has progressively gotten worse (but our rides have progressively gotten longer so I don't know if that's why or not)...

If you've gotten this far, thanks for reading. Now help me!

[Kimmyt]

I think you should talk to a Dermatologist!

[FreshNewbie]

you might have sensitive skin and combination of sunscreen, sweat and shorts irritates it. I would suggest going to dermatologist to see if it's an allergy or something else.

[GLC1968]

I've thought about seeing a derm about it, but the problem is that the rash doesn't stick around in it's orignal form all that long. I'd need a doc to work on a weekend and that certainly isn't going to happen.

My shorter weekday rides don't trigger it...even if I ride before the redness has totally gone away.

I think I need to befriend a derm and then ride with them so that they can see it when it's new!

[Fredwina]

All your shorts the same (brand/Chamois)? If not , is the rash worse with some?

[tprevost]

sounds like it could be a form of heat rash... have you tried some cortizone cream on it?

[withm]

That sounds like the same rash I get if I use a sunscreen with PABA in it. Doesn't hurt, itch, just looks really bad.

Try a sunscreen w/o PABA. (I use Coppertone Sport something - blue bottle. sweatproof, comes in SPF 50, no problems with that one.) A lot of people are allergic to PABA (whatever that is).

[bcipam]

Where exactly is the rash? Under or below the short line? If under your shorts, it could be a combination of sweat and laundry detergent causing contact dermatitis. I had the same problem. I cannot use power laundry soap, only liquid.

If below the shorts, is it possible your legs are rubbing up against something? Again it's probably conatct dermatitis - you just need to figure out what is the irritant.

Also what is the material of your shorts? Does it include cotton? Microfiber? what? This may also be the problem.

[Aint Doody]

GLC, I have it, too. Usually just in the first couple of long rides in the season when it's sunny. I've been thinking it's a heat rash. One of my cycling friends has it, too. I don't think it's a contact dermititis--like you said--it doesn't matter if the shorts are long or short. It's always in the same place. Funny, though, I never feel like the tops of my legs feel any hotter than anywhere else.

We'll have to call it "Ugly, strange, cycling rash!"

[Bad JuJu]

You could take a photo of it right after you finish your ride and take that with you to the dermatologist's office. That way, she could see what you're talking about. But first, I'd try the cortisone cream.

People do "grow into" (and "out of") allergies, btw. Just because you haven't had sensitive skin for most of your life doesn't mean you can't develop some sensitivities now. I went through some miserable skin problems during menopause, and cortisone--and waiting for my hormones to quiet down--were the only things that helped.

[Nanci]

Heat rash- I get it!!

I get it under my shorts on the fronts of my quads, but way less with the beloved Sugoi RS Flexes, because the fabric is breathier.

I also get when I run for long hours, around my ankles, a little under my socks and a lot above my socks, and on the fronts of my quads which are under compression shorts.

It looks horrifying! I had it REALLY bad after Wickham Park Marathon this May- everyone at the cycling picnic the next day thought I had poison ivy. It doesn't itch, though, and goes away if you do nothing in less than a week.

Nanci

[GLC1968]

Nanci - that's it...it totaly looks like Poison Ivy!

Used to use the Coppertone sport lotion and still got it, so I don't think it's a PABA thing (plus, it's nowhere else on my body and I use sunscreen all over). It is always in the same place on my legs too, regardless of what shorts I wear (I have tried 5 different brands in 3 different lengths). It's both above and below the short line, so some of it isn't ever exposed to the sun.

I will try a cortizone cream to see if that helps with the swelling. I tried icing it immedately after my ride on Sunday and all that did was make my muscles really tight!

Oh, and the photo is a really good idea! I'll do that too!

I'm glad to hear that I'm not alone. My husband was making me feel like a freak because it was particularly bad on Sunday (even though it was our coolest cycing day this season). I was thinking it was heat rash, but most of the info I found on it had descriptions that didn't fit what I had.

You guys have made me feel so much better! Thanks!!

[bikerchick68]

yep, heat rash... it looks like blotchy welts...

does anyone know if there is anything the doc can prescribe to help it... besides the old "well, stay off the bike..."

edited to correct "perscribe... which is often called PREscribe... "

[Nanci]

I just take a bath in oatmeal that night to soothe it, and I put Brave Soldier Healing Ointment on it, but I really don't think you can speed up the resolution much, or harm it by being out in the sun again, either. I usually only get it when I'm out all afternoon in really hot temps. I wonder if I get it on that one marathon course, around my ankles, because so much of the course is broiling white sand. I never get it on my ankles otherwise. I think it is temp related as much as sun, which would go along with getting it _under_ the black shorts which are absorbing heat all day...

[Lenusik]

I've thought about seeing a derm about it, but the problem is that the rash doesn't stick around in it's orignal form all that long. I'd need a doc to work on a weekend and that certainly isn't going to happen.

This might be a crazy idea, but I would make an derm appointment first, let's say for Monday. And then ride your long miles on Sunday. You can certainly take a picture but there is nothing better then a real test. I am sorry for giving you a suggestion to suffer, but at least your doc would be able to test you for allergies or poison ivy.