What is red rash around lower leg above the ankle?

[MBaker6826]

Recently returned from Disney World and develop a red blotch rash just above the ankle bone on the inside of my leg.  The rash looks like specks of blood under the skin and in some areas form large red blotch.  There is slight swelling in the lower ankle area.  I did a lot of walking and the temperatures were in the upper 80's and lower 90's.  Is it weather related, lack of fluid?  I have never experienced this before.  Have read the blogs, seems others suffer from the same or similar symtoms.  


This discussion is related to Lower Leg Rash.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

This could be due to the walking and heat.

This could be eczema, dermatitis, bacterial or fungal skin infection etc.

Keep the area clean and wear socks washed in a few drops of chlorhexidine preferably and dried in the sun.

You could try some hot fomentation. Apply calamine lotion at the sites. Wear lose comfortable footwear. Maintain good personal hygiene.

Consult your doctor if the rash persists after a few days.

Let us know about what your doctor advises.

Regards.

[mythreechildren]

I am in Florida (Disney World) and have the same rash.  Mine is getting worse every day.

[MBaker6826]

My rash was on my lower legs the day I arrived home. I put cooling gel (aloe vera) and itch cream on it and within two days it began to disappear.  Because of the heat here in the Washington DC area, I turned on my air conditioning (78%) and the fan in my bedroom to keep me cool.  By the fith day it was gone along with the slight swelling that I also had.  I believe it was heat related because while in Florida I wore walking shorts and had no problem.  The last day there I wore long pants on Friday and wore the same pants home on Sat.  Suggest you keep the area cool and use a cooling gel and itch cream if it itches.  Good luck.

[gbfowler]

I also have a similar rash from hiking, and sometimes fevers/cheers afterwards.
Yesterday, after a 10 mile hike, it here again for a few days, painful, like I've been scalded by hot water.
I've always been perplexed by this.

Below is a link to a picture I posted:

http://picasaweb.google.com/gbfowler/TableMountain2008/photo#5220348216808197730

[rmsewell]

We have the same thing happening here, however, the weather is completely different.  We have had quite a bit of snow, and the rash seemed to have started after being out for some time sledding.  It has also only happened in my children (ages 12 & 10).  It seems to be the worst in my 10 year old, who has complained of the pain.  It is also on both legs, just above the ankle on the back of the leg.  He has been wearing footie type socks and winter boots.  

[walkies]

Be sure to read the "Golfer's Vasculitis is more than just annoying" thread. That will give you the information you're looking for!

[rsapooh]

I have experienced the same type of red rash this past weekend.  I was painting in a very small bathroom in pretty warm weather on my feet for 8 hours - painted again on Sunday for 3 hours warm weather and have the rash.  Thought it looked like a type of heat rash.

[gnrsav]

I get this EXACT same thing every time I go to Disney...I have been calling it "Disney Rash."  I just went yesterday and got it again.  It last for a week to a week and a half.  I have been wondering if I should go to the doctor about it.

[Shrek49]

I can't believe how many posts are related to Disney World. I just got back yesterday from Orlando and had a rash attack on my lower legs, above the ankle and to just below the knee. The rash is subsiding, but the first two days were very uncomfortable and my lower legs were very itchy. The solid red areas are now breaking up into freckle like brownish spots. The weather was not that hot 60-65
degrees. I just couldn't figure it out. Food, bacteria, chemicals, water? I did walk around, but no more or less than I usually do whether at Disney or back home. Makes me think twice about going back.

[bethm8844]

I too developed this when I went to Disney several years ago. It reappeared every April/May ever since and I started to notice vericose veins. I went to my doctor about it each year, complaining of the swelling and even suggested to her that there's a circulation problem. llen. The blothy rash looked like a sunburn and my ankles got very swoI was dismissed with lasix for swelling. I ended up having knee surgery this year and developed a major DVT. Now I'm dealing with the rash consistanly along with many other problems. My vascular surgeon suspects my problems began with that rash a Disney - not really a rash, but pooling. I wish I was more persistant with my doctor when I thought it might have something to do with the circulation.

[theresa001]

Hi, I get the same rash every time i go to Disney, I am getting ready to go in July and i am worried I will get it again, so i am going to start walking on my tredmill to build up the ton of walking we al have to do while at Disney. I do not mind walking buit the rash makes me feel bad. I am in hopes that by doing this it will build up the strength I need for the long walking, since I do not walk a "ton" but some at home. Just thougt I would share and Ill let you all know

[gg2020]

I just returned from Disney also. My daughter and I both had a rash on our ankles. She thinks it's caused by chemicals in the water on the rides because she gets the same rash at other amusements parks.  I got the rash on  the first day we were there. I put hydrocortisone on it that night and it improved by the next day. Then, I got splashed by one of those fountains that kids play in as I walked past it. Right away I could feel a burning sensation and the rash came back even worse. You can avoid the rides that really get you wet like Splash Mountain but even in Small World and other boat rides that don't splash much, the floors are wet so the seats get wet and your ankles come in contact with the seats as you get in and out.

[agewarrior]

I have been to Disney World every year for over a decade at all different times of the year, I have just returned from Disney and Universal and have the same symptoms as all of you...a red splotchy rash on my lower legs.  This is the first time this has ever happened!!  It started at Universal on Tuesday after a long hot day of walking around--no water rides by the way.  Went away completely in just over 36-48 hours, but returned with a vengeance Saturday after being at Magic Kingdom and then EPCOT all day walking around in the heat.  It started by an itching sensation where I thought I had been bitten by something, that did not last however and then it just felt sort of tight (swelling?) if I felt anything at all.  It is unsightly and I am concerned since it does look like bleeding under the skin.  I am leary of spending the money to see a doctor and not getting a proper diagnosis, as that seems to be happening to me more and more lately.

[ttomasg]

I have the same rash.
My cirumstances are:
Just returned tonite from transcontinental flight where I had tight socks on which may have cut off circulation
General tiredness, exhaustion started 2 days ago which was 2 days after arriving. At first I thought it was purely jet lag but I did not want to leave bed. Rash was noticed this evening after my flight home.
Background info: I started swimming in the Hudson River, 15 miles north of Manhattan about 6 weeks. People told me it was safe but now I wonder if there are toxins in the water?
I take no medications.
Regards,
TT

[theresa001]

Well, I have been to Disney many times and every time I go I get the rash, I wish I didnt. I am leaving for Disney this Saturday and it is super hot there. I am thinking it has to be part of the heat, what else can it be? many of us get it and I do not get it at home. (Illinois)

My plan for while I am there is to have no purfumed lotions on my legs, I have really good tennis shoes, and I was told by a doctor who helped me with my foot to soak in really cold water, it helps with any swelling. Hope it helps but Im going to have a good trip any way LOL

[gratefulgirl]

We just returned from Disney World.  My 10 yr old was the only one in our party of seven that got this rash.  It looks angry and itches.  I did not notice it until Friday and he never complained so I am not sure when it started.  We were there all week, visited Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Magic Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios.  We all swam in the same pools and rode the same rides.  My son wore tennis shoes with ankle socks.  
We are all outdoors quite often hiking and camping.  This has never happened before so I find it interesting that it could be related to something at Disney.

[sheerblue]

Just got back from Disney and had the exact same symptoms you have been describing.  Started the day after I sat with my legs in the kiddie pool at our hotel.  It got progressively worse and especially stung when I was splashed or came in contact with water in the parks.  I slept with ice packs on my calves to keep the swelling down.  The day we left, the hives on my calves were so bad, I felt like a leper walking through the airport.  Got on the plane and by the time I landed in Atlanta, the hives on one leg were almost completely gone.  Been home 3 days and can barely see a shadow of redness where the hives once were.  One weird thing I noticed that led me to believe it wasn't just a surface allergy:  A bruise I had behind my knee swelled up like one large hive!  Something strange is definitely going on with the water down there in Orlando.  

[PlutoLover]

So I was just in Orlando 7/15-20 and spent 4 days in Universal and one day I park hopped in Disney.  I have been down in Orlando 5 times in the last 4 years.  2 times were 10 days Disney, one time 7 days Disney but my husband broke his leg so I didn't really do anything, this time and also last October I did one day in SeaWorld and one in Discovery Cove.  I got this same rash except for the SeaWorld/Discovery Cove time.  I have tried to narrow it down and can not figure it out.  I went to the doctor today and she was stumped as to what it is.  I only get it in Orlando.  It now is coming faster and worsens every time.  I go to Orlando almost every year and would like to prevent this because it can be uncomfortable and not to mention super ugly up the back of my lower legs. I am over 30 and never had it in my 20s and I only get it down in Orlando (live in MA & NH).   It seems to me by day 3 is when it hits.  First couple times it started slow and got worse, this time it started bad and got almost purple looking in a couple of days.  I was bummed my vaca was only 5 days but happy at the same time cause I was nervous because the rash was so bad.  I can't believe how many others get this same rash!!  I just wish I could get to the bottom of it. Three times I stayed on Disney property and twice I stayed on I Drive.  I can not find a common factor for myself outside of spending 3 or more days in a theme park in Orlando.  I have showered there every time and had two trips with no problems so I'm ruling out the water.  I have been there in May, July, September, October and December....May, July & Sept were my breakouts.  The doc did not think it was sun related.  I'm stumped!

[theresa001]

Ok every one I hope this is helpful, I just got back from Disney, I went July 17-24 and it was hot! I went to all of the parks as we do on every trip. The second day I was there, here come's the rash just as I have posted before and as we are all saying, so nothing new to report on that part. But I did take it a step farther and I went to the first aid station in Magic Kingdom and asked if they have hers of it or what they thought and this is what I was told. They say it is the extreme heat that basically comes off of the ground and breaks the capillaries in your legs. this causing a rash "look" but actually broken capillaries. It will swell and be warm to the touch and itch, everything we have all been saying. They said they keeping them elevated and with cool cloths on them will help, like when you go back to the holtel room. They also said if I wanted to, do an experiement and next time wear a fully covered pant, like capri and socks to cover the leg and then the heat would not get to your leg, I agree with that part some because I always wear the short socks that go just above my tennis shoe and it is never there below my sock.
So there answer is the extreme heat bouncing off the road, floor what ever you want to call it. I asked why does it only happen to me, and no one else in my family of all different shapes, and age, male and female and I was told they have seen it in men, women, kids, thin, heavy and it is just for lack of better way to explain it just my make up... I love in Illinois and we do get heat and humidity here but not like Florida so i am use to heat as well.
If you go on Google and type in Broke Capillaries you will see pictures and get more info on there. Thats just what i did.
So I feel I have found my answer, Im a believing the Disney first aid station and will just be ready when I go back.
Also i just want to state i have been at all different times fo the year to, April, June, July, September and October.
Hope this helps or just good reading, feel free to post back.
Have a magical day!
Theresa~~

[tonion58]

Just returned from Orlando, 5 day stay. Developed a rash on inner aspect both legs just above ankles. Not itchy but very red. It is subsiding, thank goodness. First noticed it at Disney but actually stayed at Universal. Treated with hydrocortisone spray, cool water and elevated legs when possible. At 51, I just called it "old lady rash." We live in MS. and I walk a good bit.

[Britex]

I too developed the red rash on my inner ankles and lower leg this week at Disney! Hours of walking and heat but would be very interested to know what this is. Area is like a burn from an iron, very localized, hot to the touch and bright red. Maybe environmental? Insecticides?

[Britex]

I too developed the red rash on my inner ankles and lower leg this week at Disney! Hours of walking and heat but would be very interested to know what this is. Area is like a burn from an iron, very localized, hot to the touch and bright red. Maybe environmental? Insecticides?

[Cindy0816]

I live in Florida and developed this rash in my backyard. The first 3 times it showed up was after mowing the lawn. I thought I had come in contact with a specific weed and had a reaction. This past weekend we took our son to Busch Gardens, and the next day, there it was.
My rash doesn't itch or burn. It is not raised. Just very red and it starts above my sock line on the ankle (sometimes only one leg, other times, both) and spreads, I can't say it turns into one big blotch, the little dots are very individual. To me it looks like popped vessels or capillaries, as someone else had mentioned. It starts out as little red pin points. After 3 or 4 days, it is gone.

[marich540]

I had the same problem. Non itching rash above the ankles in humid and in dry hot weather, fading away in a few days. It seems like you get this when walking a lot in hot weather. Don't seem to have anything to do with location, contact with something or bites. It could be internal pressure at the ankle or maybe acidic sweat.