Disney Rash - Tom Morrow advice

[Disney Dizzy]

I remember reading a post from Tom Morrow about how his DW deals with the dreaded Disney Rash but I can’t find it now!

Tom, if you read this, please can you tell me again what DW does to combat this. I’ve got the starting of it and want to do as much as possible to keep it at bay.

Thank you

[Mr Tom Morrow]

I'm here!

It is called PLE (Polymorphic light eruption) and was diagnosed by a skin specialist.

Suddenly came on out of the blue when my Wife was circa 42. It is like somebody has put a flame thrower on her. She can go outside to hang the washing out and her back even through a thin top will be red and she says it's like ants are crawling on her.

The train of thought is it's down to sunlight starvation here in Europe.

To counter it she lies on our landing for an hour or so maybe 3 mornings (when it's sunny) before we fly to Florida. That will reduce hugely the severity of an attack the first day.

The first day we sunbathe she will flare up but not too badly due to the sun exposure at home. She goes in the shade for maybe 30 mins and that's it. No more PLE the rest of the holiday.

However she is one of the lucky ones. Some people just cannot mitigate the issue and it ruins their holiday.

They say Vitamin D tablets help and we both take them as I read they are good for you. And they are cheap!

She tells me that she has read that Dettol soap helps to alleviate the problem. She hasn't tried it though.

Best of luck

[Tracydcp]

My sister in law had this in Florida and now she takes antihistamines two weeks before she goes and during the holiday too which helps.

[Lisa_Lollipop]

I suffered from this awfully during our 2016 trip I found antihistamines calmed it down a little and was recommended this cream from the pharmacist at Walmart which did help!

[THE WIZARD]

Is that different from the dreaded Prickly Heat Mr. Tom?
If its Prickly Heat Ultrasun Family is specifically for those who suffer (my DH does) & we both take antihistamine every day at least a week before we go and whilst there to combat it. We only use Factor 30 rather than 50 as my doctor said 50 blocks your pores so sweat cannot escape in a lot of cases which also causes Prickly Heat.

[THE WIZARD]

Originally Posted by Lisa_Lollipop

I suffered from this awfully during our 2016 trip I found antihistamines calmed it down a little and was recommended this cream from the pharmacist at Walmart which did help!

See more...

We always buy that on arrival just in case

[Lisa_Lollipop]

Originally Posted by THE WIZARD

We always buy that on arrival just in case

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Yes I am going to pick some up on our first night trip to Walmart so I have it ready this time around!

[Lisa_Lollipop]

Originally Posted by THE WIZARD

Is that different from the dreaded Prickly Heat Mr. Tom?
If its Prickly Heat Ultrasun Family is specifically for those who suffer (my DH does) & we both take antihistamine every day at least a week before we go and whilst there to combat it. We only use Factor 30 rather than 50 as my doctor said 50 blocks your pores so sweat cannot escape in a lot of cases which also causes Prickly Heat.

See more...

This is a very good point about the sun lotion, I too use SPF30 for this reason (also I find the Boots Soltan sensitive one really good)

[Disney_time]

I think it's related to Disney because apparently the paving in the parks has ground glass a a component, so it makes the light reflect up onto your lower legs, which are already hot and starting to collect fluid due to all the walking about. I've had it and always try to remember extra sunscreen on my lower legs.

[Universal VR]

I suffer with PMLE both in Florida and here. It differs from Prickly Heat. Treatment is available but it is twice a week for 6 weeks before the dreaded Spring sunshine (the enemy of PMLE sufferers). I did have it one year and it was very successful. It was available on NHS and I was referred by the Dermatology Consultant (I do suffer very badly though). I was told it is the same treatment is used for psoriasis (basically going into a cabinet and being zapped with Lower band UVB waves) for 10 seconds and building up. Other advice I was given by the skin clinic was to start off with a SF60 sun cream for 2-3 days reducing to SF40 for the next 3 days before using SF30 for the remainder of the holiday. PMLE can erupt under clothing and even through windows in as little as 10 minutes of sunshine. There are certain areas that are more prone and they are shoulders, neck, upper arms, chest and (always first and worst for me) ears. I also use the Cortizone10 cream on my outbreaks and creams/lotions containing Aloe Vera.

So, the best advice I can give is:-

Don't lay or sit in the sun, always stay under an umbrella. You'll still tan!
Be religious with your sun cream, DO NOT go out without it.
When you get back in the evening, pop a cold, wet flannel on it. That will help.

I wish you luck. PMLE has made my life a misery for years. At work, the others all go and sit outside and I stay indoors with book! But, it is manageable. I'm not sure of our age but the good news is, it improves for women of 'an age' Or so I was told but I'm of an age and I have an outbreak right now and I haven't been away yet!