merider1

So, as of yesterday, I noticed little red bumps popping up all over my chest (above my breasts) and around my neck. I thought they were blemishes (like some odd breakout), so I put Proactive on them and didn't think more about it. Today, I'm wearing an open collar blouse and many employees have asked me if I have chicken pox! The bumps have spread all the way around my neck and on the top of my back around my shoulders. They are not blemishes and now look like very tiny blisters. They don't itch and I have no fever or other malaise. I feel fine (if not still a little unenergetic which I contribute to a combo of a stressful work week last week and the double on Saturday). I can't figure out what this "rash" is. Has anyone had such symptoms after a ride out in the sun? I'm thinking a bit of sun poisoning, but I could be off base. Also, where the bee stung me is red and raised and does itch - but I suspect that is normal and not connected to the rash on my upper body. Should I be quarantined?

jschen

The red bumps happen on my upper chest if I ride a big climb with the jersey partially unzipped and didn't previously apply sunblock there. I'm now more careful about making sure I put sunblock anywhere that might get exposed to sun.

merider1

I did have my jersey unzipped but tons of zinc paste. Hmmm. By the way, where is your avatar?

VanceMac

Bed bugs?



You do mention how dirty your apt is quite often.

jschen

Gross.

My avatar coasted away from me. Something will (re)appear soon enough, I'm sure.

merider1

For your information, my sheets are clean and although my apartment is in disarray, it isn't "dirty" with bugs. I joke about roaches, but there are none. The only bugs I ever encounter is a spider from time to time. No, it is not bed bugs! Now, it could be lice from the rats that are living with me. Hadn't thought of that!

Oh, and this just popped up after Saturday's ride when I rode a double century for the first time without a base layer (i.e. my upper chest and neck were exposed to the sun). I'm still thinking sun poisoning - that or measles.

Indolent58

Eat carrots. Allegedly beta cartotene helps.

merider1

Helps which:

- sun poisoning?
- lice bites?
- bed bug bites?
- measles?
- Chicken Pox?

Indolent58

sun poisoning - which sounds likely

3F_BIKE_CLUB

That happens to me once in a while and yes, I do think it's heat related. For me though, I get bumps around my ankles, toes, and oddly enough, sometimes on the paddy part of my hands. I've seen a doctor about it and it's nothing viral. But further diagnosis unfortunately would require a dermatologist to run tests. It comes and goes but it usually happens after hot rides. These little white bumps you speak of are quite annoying. But they go away on their own in time.

Some things I've tried to relieve the itching and bumps:

1) Direct application of ice
2) Goldbond medicated lotion (soothes itching and prevents infections)
3) Not touching the affected areas
4) Avoiding public showers & hot tubs (risk of infection)
5) When taking a shower, do your final rinse off with cold water to cool down your skin
6) Wait until your skin is fully dry before putting on clothes

If you itch the bumps, they will become infected. And they take a long time to heal. This is especially annoying if it happens around your ankles!

merider1

So, you don't think it some infectious disease? Damn. I was hoping to get out of work for the rest of the week.

GP

It's probably just a reaction to the sun but if it doesn't go away, see a doctor next week. Someone with your skin should always cover up.

merider1

Thanks, Mark. Now, I'm calming down. I just wanted to hear I'm normal - well, relatively speaking - and that someone else has had this.

merider1

Yes, and normally I do. I was stupidly careless this weekend. I did put zinc paste on my chest, but normally it is not exposed and the sun was just beating right down on it all day!

nesdog

Vicki gets those bumps from time to time, especially when we go to Palm Springs or get a lot of sun. It's uncomfortable but does go away in a couple of days.

Sheldon

ronjon10

Dare I ask it...

pics?

daredevil

Consider yourself lucky. My dad had sun poisoning once. His head swelled up like a balloon. He looked like an alien.

merider1

I have my camera at home. I'll snap some photos when I get there and post tomorrow morning. I'm going to be off of here tonight (in fact, leaving now).

spingineer

Interesting ... I've been trying to analyze (probably over-analyze) why I had problems on Saturday after Potrero. I was trying to rationalize by saying intensity of the heat beating down on me was sucking the energy out of me. However, I am not seeing those bumps you are getting. So not sure what to make of that. My friend Mary is seeing parts of her leg swollen, but no bumps like smallpox or anything like that.

Scootcore

outbreak monkey!!!!

Tiffanie

m.e., my back, chest and shoulders are sensitive to the sun ever since I overexposed myself in Hawaii several years ago. If I get too much, I'll get itchy bumps which look and feel like bug bites. It usually subsides after a few days.

awiner

Heat Rash ? Does it sting/itch Mary ?

thomson

Where is the topless beach in Hawaii?

Pheard

I'm as white as you ME and I've never gotten sun poisoning, not even sure what that is.

..and I've gotten sunburned very badly many times before, in fact I'm sunburned right now. It usually results in blisters if I expose any "white" areas.

1955

Shingles???