I have the EXACT same problem. I've tried 3 different kinds of shorts, one pair with no elastic gripper at all. It's only on the tops of my thighs, although on my 80 miler yesterday it finally spread to the sides. It's never on the underside of my thighs, though. Horrible hives. Respond OK to oral antihistamines and cortisone spray, but it's hard to find clothes to wear for a few days that don't irritate it. I don't want to cut back my cycling, but this is making me crazy!
I have the same issue... Last summer went on shorter rides and the rash would only go slightly above and below the band on both legs, but only in the front. Yesterday I went for a 70 mile ride and now have a rash 8" long on both fronts of my thighs. I wear the same shorts each time (washed in between, with Tide). I called Pearl Izumi today and they said that I could be allergic to the Silicon in the band- I'm waiting to hear back from them with a specific list of materials in those particular shorts. They suggested rolling the band up so there is no direct contact with the skin... I have a 100 mile fundraiser ride next weekend and I'm hoping that I can come up with something before then
I'm so glad to have found this comments. I thought I was losing my mind. I have the same symptons everyone else has and I can't figure out what is causing it. I just went for a 50 mile ride yestreday and tried rolling up the band on my Pearl's and same old rash appeared!! I just can't figure out what is causing it. I'll be anxious to find out what Pearl has to say is in the material of the bands. Although I tried wearing an old pair of shorts from 2 years ago last weekend and still experienced the same results. They also had a band along the bottom, but it did not look like the same material as was in my Pearl's. I'm considering cutting the band out entirely to see what happens!!
I have the EXACT same problem. The longer the ride - the more the rash but - still - only on the top (front of the leg/thigh) and - never below the shorts. No idea what's causing it. It feels like a burn (as previously stated by others) but - it doesn't seem to bother me much after (no itching etc..). I've put topical steriods on it - and - that seems to make it disappear quite quickly. Given that there's so many people with this same issue - I'm surprised there isn't a 'oh - it's this' type of thing from one of the dr's. It's strange to me that - if it was contact dermatitis - then - why is it only happening on the thigh area with people and - not the back of the leg as well...??
I have this problem too, and if anyone knows a solution for it, please let us know here.
My rash is a bit prickly feeling, while I'm out on my bike (with the cycle pants and suncream (if I am wearing knee-length pants) but I also get it while I am wearing 'longs' over the top of my knee-length pants.
Leg rash and cycling pants
I've tried taking some Zyrtec tablets (anti allergy) along with rubbing some zinc cream under the shorts, so that if the sun penetrates it, at least the zinc will block any burn that might occur.
I used Invisible Zinc so far..but I suppose the regular zinc might do just as good.
This is the best combination I've tried so far.
I did try using just the Invisible Zinc on its own without the Zyrtecs, but I did get a small amount of rash with that., so its BOTH for me in future.