Training & Nutrition - Tender Nipples?

I don't usually post in this sub-forum, but I have no idea where the appropriate place to ask this question would be. So here goes. I ride short distances every day, and longer rides occasionally. Lately when I go on longer rides 20+ miles, my nipples seem to be getting tender. It's not really that problematic, but I wonder what it's about. Has anyone else had this happen? Any idea about what the cause might be?

sensitive nipples can lead to bloody nipples. could be from jersey friction? i suggest some type of BodyGlide (http://www.bodyglide.com/) for friction control if its a real issue for you. later.

sensitive nipples can lead to bloody nipples. could be from jersey friction? i suggest some type of BodyGlide (http://www.bodyglide.com/) for friction control if its a real issue for you. later.

+1. And/or you might a nice soft base layer under your jersey, for example:

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/images/products/full/craxpuj1.jpg

Yeah it might be my new Jersey. I was wearing it both times I noticed this. I usually wear cotton T-shirts when riding. Maybe my nips are objecting to the 100% poly

vasaline will do the trick

You can also use bandaids until they heal. Is this new jersey the right size?

First - don't wear cotton!

A couple of tips for you, from a fellow sufferer...

Always cover your nipples in vaseline when you take a shower or go for a swim. As soon as you get out of the water, use a good moisturising skin lotion to keep your nipples from going dry. Regularly apply lotion if you don't shower daily.

Doing this will keep your nipples in good health, but you could still experience soreness sometimes. I solve that by using smooth and soft fabric closest to my skin, without any seams on or near the nipples. Also, avoid being in water at least in the 2-3 hours before any ride, as the nipples often are too dry still then.

I don't usually post in this sub-forum, but I have no idea where the appropriate place to ask this question would be. So here goes. I ride short distances every day, and longer rides occasionally. Lately when I go on longer rides 20+ miles, my nipples seem to be getting tender. It's not really that problematic, but I wonder what it's about. Has anyone else had this happen? Any idea about what the cause might be?

Have you changed clothes washing soap/detergents? Changed fabric softener? Changed bleach/color-safe bleach? When washing your jersey/shirts, towels, sheets? Changed body soaps/washes?

Have you worn something new lately directly on your skin without washing it first?

I once changed fabric softeners, but not my clothes soap and experienced teeny-tiny blisters of the contact dermatitis sort in a very personal area. . .

Have you worn something new lately directly on your skin without washing it first?

Yeah it's a new Jersey, but it's been washed. I think maybe it's the fabric.

http://www.nipguards.com/images/infoc.gif


Got 'em for a friend of mine... he gets bloody nipples.

Yeah it's a new Jersey, but it's been washed. I think maybe it's the fabric.

It could very well be the fabric. I love the polar-tec fabric and I have pullovers made from it; I think it is wonderfully soft. My husband thinks they are too scratchy and won't wear them at all.

+1 on the band-aid idea. I buy a jumbo box of the cheapest I can find and then tear off the sticky part at each end and just use that. You only need one per outing and they are much cheaper than the nip guards.

I don't usually post in this sub-forum, but I have no idea where the appropriate place to ask this question would be. So here goes. I ride short distances every day, and longer rides occasionally. Lately when I go on longer rides 20+ miles, my nipples seem to be getting tender. It's not really that problematic, but I wonder what it's about. Has anyone else had this happen? Any idea about what the cause might be?

Not to freak you out or anything, but tender nipples and/or enlarged male breasts can be a warning sign of testicular cancer.

+1 to what others have said. The problem, as you can tell, is actually very common for cyclists and runners and much has been written and discussed about it.

Man, just reading this thread make my nips hurt.

I always wear a base layer shirt under my bibs. Those straps rub me raw.

sensitive nipples can lead to bloody nipples.

Heh. Yes it can...

http://www.mip.sdu.dk/~glewin/cykling_files/10miler.jpg

Heh. Yes it can...

http://www.mip.sdu.dk/~glewin/cykling_files/10miler.jpg

That picture made MY nipples hurt! (okay, I just wanted an excuse to type "nipples") :D

... Brad

That picture made MY nipples hurt! (okay, I just wanted an excuse to type "nipples") :D

... Brad

Titillating, isn't it?

http://www.gemplers.com/ you can buy a box of 100 1" wide cloth band-aids for a pittance. I've tried everything mentioned and found cloth band-aids to work the best. I end up putting the pad over my nipples because I'm sensitive enough that just the cloth strip doesn't work. Loose soft shirts are a requirement for me.

Many runners get this. The common cure is a pair of bandaids. In my experience body glide doesn't work very well for this issue.

This happened to me for the first time today. It was hot, I was going uphill in a soaked shirt, and sure enough I had some chaffing issues. Once I picked up the pace downhill and got a little more dry it wasn't an issue. Wet cotton = bad news.

happens to me when i run. body glide doesnt work, bandaids fall off too soon, but duct tape seems to do the trick. haha.

Moisturize. As soon as you get out of the shower, use some good non-allergenic moisturizer and you should be cool, especially combined with the bandaids (I haven't had to use them since moisturizing regularly). Also, if your skin gets really dry or itchy you might be allergic to the soap you are using. I can't use any moisturizing "body wash" but regular bar soap is great.

Everyone is different though, so good luck.