diverguy

The silicone or rubber strips at the bottom of the legs of my wife's Cannondale bike shorts leave a series of welts on her thighs that last about a day or so. They don't itch or burn; the skin feels normal to her but it's pinkish and puffy. She also feels nothing unusual in that area while wearing the shorts. At first, one would logically assume she has an allergy to whatever rubbery compound is used to make the strips but she only has the welts on the tops of her thighs and only right where the strips were. The sides and the backs of her shorts also have the strips, of course, but her thighs have have no welts in those areas at all. Very strange. Has anyone encountered this before? Do you know what causes it and how to prevent it?

datlas 

Probably an allergic or irritant reaction from the rubber/silicone.

I suggest she try riding with the bottom of the shorts cuffed up a cm so the rubber is not touching her skin

ricohman

Latex allergy?

thomast

I get the same sort of reaction from a new pair of Performance bike shorts. It's only on the top of my thighs, not the back. It doesn't hurt, it's just odd looking for a few hours post ride. I don't have latex allergies...I'm not too worried about it. I'm hoping it'll stop as the shorts break in.

Phil85207

This is exactly my experience too. I am glad this came up as I thought I may be the only one. I haven't had it with some other shorts either. Kinda weird.

Eclectus

Most of this stuff is silicon these days. The problem may be too hot weather.

ekg72

I have been having the exact same problem lately, and it got worse this past bike ride (larger 'rash/welts' and it has lasted two days so far, compared to going away by the next morning). Did you ever figure out what was causing this? I am going on a long bike tour soon (5 days) and don't want this to turn into something worse...

BykOfALesserGod

Before wearing the shorts, rub skin lotion liberally in the area where the elastic will contact the skin. Don't forget that it will shift during riding so spread the lotion out good. Use LOTS of lotion.

Machka 

You might want to be careful with this advice. Lotion can make it worse.

rpenmanparker 

If you think the problem may be a true medical allergy, try applying Afrin (or generic version) nasal decongestant spray on the area BEFORE putting on the shorts. I think that generically it is oxy-metazoline hydrochloride. Readily available over the counter everywhere. The chemistry is very similar to epinephrine (same as adrenaline) which is used to reverse the effects of allergins on the immune system.

Epinephrine is carried by severely allergic individuals for emergency injection in a device called an "epi-pen", a type of auto injector and used to reverse anaphylaxis . And those who have had allergy testing done may remember epinephrine (adrenaline) being rubbed into their skin following the test to relieve the itching at the "stick" test sites.

Because of allergies to medical tape and bandage adhesives in my family we pretreat the skin with Afrin before applying them and find it very effective in preventing a reaction.

FLvector

If it was truly an allergic reaction, I'd think it would occur in all places the silicon touches the skin. My guess is it a combination of heat/sweating and possibly the constant pulling on the skin as the silicon does grip well. You could try putting on a very thin barrier of a chamois cream or diaper rash cream to protect the skin from this minor abrasion and constant exposure to sweat. I'd give that a shot and if not it, just use shorts that don't have the silicone bands on the legs.

BykOfALesserGod

Where there are no welts yet? You're not making sense.

Machka 

Yes ... where there are no welts yet.

If I apply creams (including sunscreen) and then go out for a ride on a hot day, I break out in huge red welts. I suspect the creams mix with sweat and clog my pores.

I have found one sunscreen that I can wear without that reaction.

And ... that could be the issue the OP's wife is having. If she is only experiencing welts around the leg bands, perhaps she is applying sunscreen up under the leg band.

Cyclelogikal

You may be allergic to the rubber material..............or just have very sensitive skin to the pulling that strip will do to your legs.

jerseyJim

Yeah I get this too when I am riding all day in the hot weather. Sometime the welts turn into fluid-filled blisters. Not allergic to latex or anything like that that I am aware of. Haven't figured out how to prevent it yet.

rpenmanparker 

See my suggestion above regarding Afrin.

Machka 

For me, it is a mild allergy to lycra (not latex). I have similar reactions to nylons on hot days.

After much experimentation, I have discovered ...

-- I need to wear shorts with a blend of lycra with something else like polyester or cotton.
-- On hot days, sometimes it is better to wear looser shorts.
-- Sunscreen mixed with sweat makes it worse ... I have to wash off my legs every few hours, and I've discovered only one sunscreen that doesn't cause that reaction.
-- Post ride, bags of ice on each thigh helps to reduce the redness, swelling, and pain.

Notgrownup

Do a latex patch test...find a latex glove cut a piece, fold it and tape it to the skin with a surgical tape or a bandaid, leave it for hours...see if there are any adverse reaction...I sell Medical supplies and we have about phased out latex but the MFG tells us this is the best way to see if you are reactive to the latex Proteins...

rpenmanparker 

That is great advice except the elastic bands on cycling shorts aren't "latex", i.e. not natural rubber. They are mostly silicone rubber as said elsewhere in this thread. A patch test for natural rubber sensitivity might be instructive, but it more than likely has nothing to do with this problem.

Notgrownup

Are all leg cuffs latex from every manufacturer????

popeye

The gripper is not latex but the thread is. I know the problem well and it mostly shows in hot sweaty wx.

roadwarrior

No. Some companies like Sugoi and Gore do not use "grippers" but an expandable material that sits on your leg. It also does not leave a mark on your leg, post-ride.

Not everyone likes the feel preferring that grip on your leg.

Notgrownup

Some of the material must me causing the reaction either by allergic or friction...

achoo

Not necessarily, if there are different levels of friction/movement at different locations.

FLvector

^^I agree and that was my point. If it was an allergic reaction it would more likely occur around the whole band. Due to the pulling of the skin in areas on top of the thigh, I'd think it more likely the skin would be stressed a bit, possibly causing minor tissue issues. A thin layer of chamois or diaper rash cream applied to the top of the thigh might prevent that.