Training & Nutrition - nipple irritation

I have a jersey that I've worn several times with no problem, but I rode with it in the heat recently and my nipples were rubbed raw.

Have any of you ever had this problem? I'm in the process of trying to figure out which fabric(s), weather conditions, etc., are the culprit, and thought maybe someone could help me narrow in.

As a temporary remedy, I put a roll of ankle tape in my saddle bag to cover the nipples should the problem arise again. Any other suggestions for short term remedies until I figure things out?

My nipples thank you.

I believe it is a combination of sweating (salt) and flapping fabric. I use corn pads (like go on your feet ). They are smallish, round, and stay stuck through whatever you throw at them.

Interesting what kinds of stuff we talk about with a straight face around here, isn't it?:roflmao2:

Moleskin? (http://www.google.com/product_url?q=http://www.rei.com/style/cse/639836%3Fcm_mmc%3Dcse_froogle-_-datafeed-_-product-_-639836%26mr:trackingCode%3D8CDDA9EB-C51B-DE11-B4E3-0019B9C043EB%26mr:referralID%3DNA&fr=AM-AcAgqGbTXUfUM0r5AEMXdJokLmSz8GawHI3WQP6-M36q7PCbFfRdDKwoheCXclkJnCtUAZJtYdZIrBQxdEc2jKtGZ5bS3xgUFs6XsrEXKBlOh7cF-ojU97asfdvxfNQgshFTxeFUtwqC5k_tUWO10aQ0bp70TwnEGStO92kQ1hCvHyEox0f84PBmr6EUb59fNC3MbTF6QvCkZ3VrbTHuY Kz_bKXg8621Rn0d-TNf8obH4km6msOjZtLiJbKHKSh3QNaIk20dwTymPMaHubA0AAAAAAAAAAA&gl=us&hl=en&sa=title)

Cheap bandaids work wonders.

Moleskin? (http://www.google.com/product_url?q=http://www.rei.com/style/cse/639836%3Fcm_mmc%3Dcse_froogle-_-datafeed-_-product-_-639836%26mr:trackingCode%3D8CDDA9EB-C51B-DE11-B4E3-0019B9C043EB%26mr:referralID%3DNA&fr=AM-AcAgqGbTXUfUM0r5AEMXdJokLmSz8GawHI3WQP6-M36q7PCbFfRdDKwoheCXclkJnCtUAZJtYdZIrBQxdEc2jKtGZ5bS3xgUFs6XsrEXKBlOh7cF-ojU97asfdvxfNQgshFTxeFUtwqC5k_tUWO10aQ0bp70TwnEGStO92kQ1hCvHyEox0f84PBmr6EUb59fNC3MbTF6QvCkZ3VrbTHuY Kz_bKXg8621Rn0d-TNf8obH4km6msOjZtLiJbKHKSh3QNaIk20dwTymPMaHubA0AAAAAAAAAAA&gl=us&hl=en&sa=title)

YEP! That's what the corn covers are made of. Couldn't think of what it was called!:twitchy:

Ah, nipple chafe. There's an Office episode where Andy has the same problem...freakin' hilarious. Not that your situation is funny though...

Maybe try it a couple more times and let your nips get used to it.

Thanks for your responses. I'm glad to know I'm not alone on this one!

Does the moleskin stick to hair? I don't have the hairiest of chests, but it isn't baby-smooth skin, either. If not, I think I like the bandaid idea better than my ankle tape, so I'll throw a few of those into the ole' saddle bag.

That's one of the things that a base layer is good for.

Cheap bandaids work wonders.


Thanks for your responses. I'm glad to know I'm not alone on this one!

Does the moleskin stick to hair? I don't have the hairiest of chests, but it isn't baby-smooth skin, either. If not, I think I like the bandaid idea better than my ankle tape, so I'll throw a few of those into the ole' saddle bag.

1+. If the the bandaids are cheap enough, they can be easily removed from chest hairs.

This topic was the subject of a thread in January on the Road Cycling Forum, "Nipples":

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=501704


Back in the 1970's, this condition was described in the New England Journal of Medicine and given the name "jogger's nipple"; it has an entry in Wikipedia that suggests all the remedies described in this thread.

You are not alone on this problem. :D

Try Band-Aid Blister Block

Body Glide Anti Chafing works great. I think it's silicone based so it won't sweat off you during your ride.

I have one jersey that is really bad in this regard - my hi-vis yellow one. For me it's the sweat that does me in. That stuff is caustic!

Small band-aids work. You really only need to cover the very tip. I've found some that fit completely within the hairless zone.

I had the same problem. Regular band-aids were very painful to remove as they will pull your chest hair. You can get the small band-aids that only cover the nipple. They work well.

http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq151/gluteusmaximus/bikeforums/212BAVjIw9qL__AA280_.jpg

A touch of Chamis cream will prevent any problems.

I use a regular small band-aid. I just tear it into three parts; the two adhesive pieces and the cloth piece. I discard the cloth and use only the adhesive piece over the nipple. Works like a charm.

Was a major issue for me - solved completely with tight base layers.