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.

[Lol_M]

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.

[Lol_M]

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.

[billybyter]

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...??

[tjmoore]

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!!

[erinlynn517]

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