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.

[jamiekb]

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!

[Rash_decision]

All I can say is I get exactly the same complaint--the longer the ride, the more widespread the rash. Only with bike shorts with that tight "elastic".

[kneal1963]

same thing only when i wear lycra bike shorts in the sun,various pairs all high end.

[cyclewoman]

I recently had the same thing happen. The last two ride 70 plus miles in the sun.  Different shorts on each ride. The first ride the rash appeared I wore a pair I bought this year and had worn several times before this. The second time it appeared was yesterday on a century ride.  Overcast morning but sun and warm in the afternoon.  Shorts were a pair I've had for two years.  I'm using the same sun screen, have added no medications, use the same laundry products.

I'll be interested if anyone has a solution to this.

[susihami]

Thanks for the pic!  I've just been experiencing the same thing since upgrading my old bike shorts with new bike shorts this summer!  the old shorts have old fashioned elastic around the thighs and the new have what i think is silicone...clear, tacky, rubber like feel.  i never developed a rash in my old shorts but in both pairs of the new (one is Nike the other is Skirtsports) i have!  same as yours...bright red, raised, itchy.  creeps above the elastic (so underneath the shorts, out of the sun).  it seems to be some combination of sun, sunscreen, and the silicone that does it.  i haven't found any solutions online, just several similar complaints.

[cyclegirl50]

My daughter and I develop a very similar, raised rash.  It is very uncomfortable, do the point of not being able to wear regular weight business clothes to work the next day.  We both wear sunscreen and do not sweat profusely.  We live in a high altitude and only seem to develop this rash when we cycle.  It doesn't seem to matter the content of the fabric or elastic/gripper material at the bottom of the shorts.  I've tried Desitin the day after to cover the rash since I commute to work on my bike in the summer.  I've also tried aloe vera and Benadryl cream, as well as steroidal creams.  It seems as though no over the counter products help, and trying to get into a dermatologist to have the rash evaluated is impossible.  Thanks.