Grim truth about dreaded ‘Disney rash’: It hurts like hell and can last YEARS… there’s a drastic cure
An angry, red rash appeared on Melissa Schloemer’s legs whenever she visited theme parks and walked for hours.
It didn’t matter whether she was at a rollercoaster or a water park, the unsightly, blotchy hives would spread over both her legs below the knee.
‘If I was walking on a boardwalk, basically walking around at any sort of, like, amusement park, or walking for a long time, I got this rash,’ New Jersey native Schloemer, 38, told the Daily Mail.
‘It was a bit concerning.’
But it never caused her any pain and would go away on its own, so she brushed it off for years. During flare-ups, she would try, unsuccessfully, to clear it up using lotion.
Eventually, the busy mother-of-two discovered that her rash was exercise-induced vasculitis (EIV), earning the nickname ‘Disney rash’ after appearing on the legs of some park-goers.
EIV is a condition where tiny blood vessels in the legs become inflamed and leak fluids after long periods of walking or standing, such as spending a day at Disney World.
Schloemer, a self-professed ‘huge Disney fan,’ told the Daily Mail that she wasn’t sure what had caused the rash initially, but felt her 311lb frame may be responsible.
Pictured: Melissa Schloemer, 38, during a visit to a water park with her family. She said on visits like these, she would often develop exercise-induced vasculitis. From left to right: Schloemer, her best friend Kristen, son Braden, daughter Madison and her friend’s son Dylan
‘I thought it was chub rub at first because you would especially get it in the summer,’ she said. ‘The rash was very red, and it kept spreading until it was up and down my leg. It probably started at my calf and went to right above my knee.’
While EIV can affect anyone, it is more common in overweight people because their hearts often have a harder time pumping fluid up from the legs.
And it was only after Schloemer embarked on a year-long weight-loss journey, during which she overhauled her diet and lifestyle, that she noticed she no longer suffered from the rash.
Over the course of 16 months, she lost 150lbs and dropped from a size 3XL to small or extra small.
Although she only recently reached her new weight, Schloemer has yet to see the rash even once during this past summer, which she described as unusual.
EIV is normally a harmless condition that disappears on its own in three to ten days, but it can be visually unappealing and uncomfortable for patients. It is not clear how many people in the US may suffer from the condition.
Doctors say patients can treat it by avoiding strenuous exercise, such as walking long distances, until the rash clears up, wearing compression socks or stockings or keeping the feet elevated above heart level when sitting or lying down.
Physicians also say that, to prevent the rash, patients should consider staying hydrated by drinking lots of fluids on hot days.
Schloemer is shown above during her weight loss (left) and after losing 150lbs (right), saying her weight had dropped from 311lbs to 160lbs
Dr Tonie Reincke, a vein specialist in Texas, told the Daily Mail it was certainly possible that losing weight would lead someone to no longer experience the condition.
‘When I see patients with vasculitis, usually, I am not too worried,’ she said. ‘It is at the superficial level and normally does not cause patients any significant distress.
‘If someone loses weight, it could well reduce the risk of the rash, at least in theory.
‘That would be because you don’t have as much pressure intra-abdominally because you weigh less, so there is less force and weight on your legs.’
EIV has gained fresh attention in recent months after a US travel adviser posted about developing it after walking for long periods at a Disney theme park.
In August last year, the influencers known as Plus Size Park Hoppers also posted online to cautioned others about the condition. Meanwhile, travel experts have warned it can be ‘extremely painful.’
The above is an image of EIV from travel TikToker @Stephpetersautismtravel. She warned that the condition can occur after someone visits a theme park
The above is an example of EIV, also called ‘Disney rash’ in the public discourse
Schloemer has lost more than 120lbs twice in her life. The first time was in 2016 after she had gastric sleeve surgery – an operation to reduce the size of the stomach to create a smaller, tube-shaped organ.
The operation initially worked. But, over the years, she began to feel sick regularly, which caused her to exercise less and overeat, which led her weight to gradually rise.
After scans in February this year, it was revealed that she was feeling ill because her stomach had opened. The opening was about the size of a deck of cards, according to Schloemer, and was spilling some of its contents into her abdomen.
She had surgery to close the stomach, and has since been losing weight with JYM Army, which recommended a diet, gym plan and supplements.
She said she currently eats 1,200 calories per day – an amount decided on with her nutritionist – and her diet focuses mostly on vegetables and meats. She also weight lifts six or seven times a week.
Schloemer told the Daily Mail that she is thrilled with her weight loss – and to no longer deal with EIV.
