Leg rash and cycling pants

[Kat1015]

I'm having an ongoing problem with leg rash associated with cycling shorts.  The rash occurs on the front of my thighs, both above and below the leg bands.  I always wear sunscreen, and have recently tried Slide, purchased from our bike shop (it does not help).  The rash is bright red, blotchy, and does not itch, but feels like a sunburn.  Some of the areas are slightly raised, but no pustules form.  The rash is bright red the day after riding, then gradually fades over the next 4-7 days.   My family practitioner and dermatologist have looked at the rash soon after it appears, and have no idea what could be causing it.  I am not taking any medications that cause photosensitivity, and the rash does not occur on other parts of my body, or at any other time.  This problem first occurred when I was living in the upper midwest, and occurs now that I'm living in Florida.  
Any thoughts/ideas would be greatly appreciated!


This discussion is related to Rash Appeared on Legs.

[tridog]

Boy, I have exactly the same thing- top of thigh rash.  It happens with Pearl Izumi shorts.  Cycled the last couple of days with CEP triathlon shorts and no rash.  So, I'm convinced that it is something in the fabric of the Pearl Izumis that I am allergic to.
I sure wish a doctor would chime in on this thread.

[BYKR4Acause]

I am pretty new to cycling, but my last two rides of 50 miles and 60 miles I have come home with this same rash and it is so irritating.  You can't ride again for a few days because it looks so dang bad.  I visit my doctor in a few days who is a cyclist so I definatly be asking her opinion and I hope she has an answer.  If she does I will be sure to share it with you all!

[Lol_M]

Thanks BYKR4Acause

[kimstrong]

Same thing happens to me and my Pearl Izumi's . I wonder if it has to do w the silicone 7 sunscreen combo? i put sunscreen on then my shorts, about mile 40 I noticed the rash appear. It appeared where the gripper is and then down the thigh to my knee.  Next week I hope I can remember to put on shorts, apply sunscreen and roll up the leg gripper...

[LuigieR3]

I have the same problem, mostly on the inner thighs. It has become more noticeable since I started riding with new Sugoi bib shorts with the silicone band.  
One other thing I now realize, I use to ride wearing a nike swimsuit shorts under my bike pants (both the Pearl Izumis and the Sugois) and never had the rash then.  It has become moderate since I started riding "commando". :-)
I'm going to try riding with my nike swimsuit or compression shorts under again and report any changes.

[rosethecopycat]

I have the same thing happening. It looks just like the picture in the 1st post.
EXCEPT, I do not wear biking shorts.
The first two times it happened I had street pants on (I'm not a serious cyclist) and then the 3rd time, I wore jean shorts.
There was NO material whatsoever in contact with the skin area that developed the rash.
After a 27 mile ride, there it was. I'd have to eliminate the chafing or allergen possibilities. What about vitamin deficiency?

I'd like to know more about the contact dermititis too. Does there have to be direct contact to the area?

I'm in FL, 90 degree weather.