Tanning beds and a rash

[3toboot]

Ok. This is the deal. I have a tanning bed, and have had it for quite some time. I am fair complected, and use it so that I do not burn when I go out into the sun, this way I can work my way up slowly: 5 minutes, 6 minutes, etc. I have never had any problems.

This year, I have a TERRIBLE rash on certain parts of my body: arms, back of my knees, neck and chest. It is driving me nuts! It itches pretty bad, and you can actually see the little bumps.

I switched the tanning accelerator that I was using, and I do not use anything that has a bronzer in it.

Any suggestions or ideas what it might be? Or anyone else had this problem before? I do have sensitive skin. I know - I will get lots of posts telling me to quit using the tanning bed...I was just wondering if anyone else had this happen to them and what they did for it.

THANKS!!

[GradSchoolNerd]

Ladies (and maybe a few guys...) IT IS ALMOST 100% A HEAT RASH. When skin is exposed to heat, the pores open up. If you have sweat built up in an area, the sweat enters the pores and causes little, irritating red bumps that go away in a few hours/days. The best thing you can do is to try to keep the sweat from accumulating (e.g. use a towel to wipe it off as you are tanning). Also, some tanning facilities offer air conditioned beds (which are awesome!). I would highly recommend these beds to those who are prone to developing these rashes, even though they are a bit pricey. The cooler your body is as you tan, the less likely it is that the sweat will get into your pores.

Once you already have the pesky rash, the best thing to do is take a cool bath/shower as quickly as possible. Cleaning the gross stuff off your skin and allowing it to get fresh air is essential. Afterward, keep the skin DRY using powders. You may be tempted to use lotion. Don't. The rash loves moisture. It's best to keep it dry and stay close to a fan. Trust me... it is a heat rash.

Good luck in the cancer coffins!

[shaylie09]

I get the same rash which I thought was from my tanning lotion but I quit tanning for a couple of days and went back without using any lotion and still had the same reaction. I mostly get the rash under and in between my breast and on the upper portion of my stomach. while I am in the bed the hotter I get it feels like little needles or an electric shock as someone else described earlier but not to worry if it comes and goes more than likley it is not SCABIES, that seems like it would be a persistent problem.... But yes do check your bed before you jump in at any salon and make sure there is no lotion or sweat residue from the person(s) before you because you are still susceptible to catching a bacterial infection such as staff infection

[LeahSR07]

I have the same problem with the itchy red bumps everytime I start to tan in the bed again, I haven't found out exactly what it is but I have a pretty good idea that it is just a mild heat rash, I started just tanning every other day instead of everyday and using a stand-up tanning bed instead, the trick is not to get too hot so look for a lotion that will cool you off (they make a special kind) and don't use tingle, also try not to sweat to turn the fans all the way up.

I hope this helps you out some :)

[buttons2009]

What are you using to clean the bed?
you might be having a reaction to the cleaner,
this happened to some of the people who went to the tanner i worked at.
try a mild soap and water mix to clean the bed with EVERY TIME you use it.

[Mrsjosey10182003]

I just started tanning, and also got a rash. I clean the bed before and after I get out. I have used different lotions, and no lotion at all. The place i notice it most is my lower back on top of my tattoo. I will stop going after my summer vacay, but I want to look good before then.
To the poster that said you cant get skin cancer from the bed: there is a sign in the tanning room, and it clearly says "tanning beds, like the natural sun, can cause cancer, use at your own risk" and another sign says "if you dont tan in the sun, you probably wont tan in the bed".

[ninelives999999999]

I just started tanning for my wedding. I get it too and the worst was the second time on my stomach and back so the next time I covered my stomach and back because that was the most tan anyways. Then I got it between my breasts and I had a towel there so I think it is from the intense concentrated heat and my sensitive skin areas. I don't get the rash on areas where my skin is tougher. I put aloe vera lotion on it and it soothes like a sunburn would, stops itching and goes away quickly. If you get a rash from tanning your skin is too sensitive for it and you probably shouldn't go tanning. But if you must I would say go fo shorter times, wipe the sweat during,move around more, and most importantly once you feel the heat starting to sizzle the pores of your skin get out.