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Does anybody know if the new light-weight cool max T-shirts help alleviate the dreaded "rubbed raw nipple rash"? My sweat soaked cotton t's don't do a very good job protecting my tender little nubs on my long runs. Don't those things ever toughen up?
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I have a lightweight CoolMax singlet that seems to cause more friction in the nipple area than cotton! I use a small piece of clear first aid tape. It stays on even in a 100 miler and isn't that much of a problem to take off.
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Have your tried Matt's 60 grit sandpaper approach? Oh wait, that was for the feet, wasn't it? Never mind ;-)
Anyway, I have good luck with CoolMax, either mesh or plain - better luck with the plain (use petrolatum with the mesh). There are some that use duct tape...
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I have not worn cotton shirts in longer runs for quite some time. This is because I sweat lots and run in the rain quite a lot making the cotton shirts feel real heavy and sag on the body. I generally wear nylon shirts (made by my wife) or Cool Max. The nylon shirts seem to cause the least nipple rubbing. Cool Max does a better job at whisking away the moisture from the body. In all cases, though, I find that I do best by using tape on my nipples. Currently I use just a small piece (about a quarter inch square) of quarter inch Micropore tape (available at ordinary drug stores). I have worn it through 50 miles (longest I have run thus far) and showers without it coming off. Some other tapes I have used have worked very poorly and others have worked well. Since it only needs to cover the nipple, one roll lasts a long time.
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I wear duct tape to prevent nipple rash. I did it again at Voyager and it stays on well plus it's not too hard to remove without screaming. Great stuff. I just tear off two squares and slap them on my chest.
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No, those things never toughen up. I use Band-Aids and never have any problems with my tender little nubs anymore. CoolMax (or other synthetic) shirts are far superior to cotton for other reasons. It drys more quickly than cotton and is less abrasive on the skin. Don't suffer anymore!
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I have been wearing a Cool Max T-shirt during my longer runs and have only had one occurrence of nipple rash. It was a 2.5 hr run during humid weather mixed with light rain. The shirts work very well for me and I prefer them over cotton shirts for the longer runs.
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I use tape in races. It is always effective though care is needed when removing afterwards. Lots of people use Vaseline. I've never done it but it is so simple it is worth a try. Runners put it under there arm pits on hot days too, as well as in other places where body parts meet!
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I have some silk shorts for running and I know that silk is often used as underwear for arctic expeditions because of its ability to wick away water and keep it away from the skin (where it may freeze). I have noticed that my silk shorts stay dry no matter how much I sweat and they are light as heck. They have silk underwear built in that have elastic legs and all so nothing 'flops' around. As a matter of fact, every now and then I find myself looking down to be sure in fact that I am wearing anything at all. Ha. They do make silk shirts and I wonder if anyone has tried silk?
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Moleskin patches have worked very well for me; you have to shave the area first, and cut them large enough so they adhere firmly, but they work very well, even in rain.
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My solution is to apply a small amount of Vaseline directly to the nipples only, then duct tape which overlaps past the Vaseline area by 1/4 - 1/2". The Vaseline keeps the tape from sticking to the more sensitive areas for pain free removal of the tape.
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