Cycling shorts issue - any thoughts?

[NMRider]

Dian - any thoughts on why it would only happen on top of the legs instead of all the way around? Just because the sun is hitting the tops of my legs? Granted, it's 90+ degrees when it strikes. Not sure what the grippers are - shorts are Cannondale, grippers are smooth/clear. I've never been allergic to anything before. You're thinking hives as opposed to rash? It seems like many of us get this sort of thing... way more than I expected when I posted.
Thanks.

[BabyBlueNTulsa]

What I think is interesting about the latex theory is that the shorts I was wearing don't have any type of gripper.. Its just really a soft, but probably doubled layer of spandex. Most of the welts were exposed to sun...but there were some under the short too-just right there on the leg. Weird!!

NM - you go girl!!! 63 on a mid day deal... that's where I got my first outburst of welts and my knee issue (a 58 mile mid-day deal). I'm still nursing my knee issue, but I'm off in a few to do some light spinning. You'll probably hear me boo-hoo'ing tomorrow about missing my group night ride (hilly and fast). WAH. I've gotta do this right though, or I won't be able to get back on track with my mileage for HHH!

HHH or bust - that's right!!!

[Dianyla]

Dian - any thoughts on why it would only happen on top of the legs instead of all the way around? Just because the sun is hitting the tops of my legs? Granted, it's 90+ degrees when it strikes. Not sure what the grippers are - shorts are Cannondale, grippers are smooth/clear. I've never been allergic to anything before. You're thinking hives as opposed to rash? It seems like many of us get this sort of thing... way more than I expected when I posted.
Thanks.

Well, latex allergy is very common so I wouldn't be at all surprised to see many people having symptoms of it. I would think that a field of small red bumps is a mere rash, while large raised welts are actual hives. But, I think there is also a grey area in between rash and hive, and at a cellular level they are pretty similar events.

However, the smooth/clear grippers sound like silicone, not latex. Which leans more in the direction of being a simple heat related problem. Heat can trigger hives, just like it can trigger rash. Black fabric heats up considerably in the sun, so the tops of the legs will be more likely to have the problem. I wonder if it happens to anyone with light-colored shorts? Anyone?

[NMRider]

FYI...

Did a ride yesterday, 30 miles, 97 degrees, 25% humidity - not in my Cannondales, but in my ancient shorts. Same hives problem - so seems to be the heat issue, not the shorts.

[denda]

Add my name to this list. I have them on my thighs right now! I rode 30 miles yesterday, 97 degrees and humid. I am getting ready for the HHH in Wichita Falls, TX.

[Righteousbabe]

I get them, too, and at first I though they were related to the shorts elastic...or the detergent I used to wash my clothing with. But it turns out I get them regardless of whether the elastic is rolled up or not....or what type of detergent I use. I even went to the dermatologist to get his input, and he had no idea and gave me a Rx for hydrocortisone cream. I tried using it after the rides...but with very minimal relief. For myself, I think it is directly correlated to heat/sun/core body temps. (there was a posting last year here on the forum where we discussed this before). I don't get them when the temps are below 90 or when it is mostly cloudy. But when it is hot and very sunny, that is when I get them.

I have just learned to live with them. I don't like it because it is ugly and even a little painful at times, but I have not found a way to avoid getting them during the summer.

[Aint Doody]

Another victim here. On me it is definitely heat related. I hadn't thought to try cooling down all over. What about pouring cold water on the area? Anybody try that? Does it help?

[GLC1968]

Nope - cold water (or ice) on the area does NOT help. Only keeping the body/core temp down does...and that's not always easy to do.

FYI - I got these on my century on Aug 11th - it was cloudy all day and temps never topped 90 degrees. BUT, I did get hot/wilted near the end when I had no cold beverages left... I ended up with a slight break out. So, it's definitely not sun related.