Runners... Runners rash? and fabrics

[bkreugar]

I've been running for about 5 years. Saturday is this years first 5k of this season. I have been running on the treadmill (on an incline of 2) and doing boot camp class all winter to prepare.

2 weeks ago I upped my workout in time and days from 4 days to 5 days and went back outside to run on the roads.

First I thought I was having a reaction to a new deodarant. So I switched back but under my arms and down my sides I starting getting a red itchy rash.

Finally yesterday after several days of benadryl I gave up and went to doc. She diagnosed me with infected runners rash and prescribed keflex. Said I would feel better within a day. I was shocked and had never heard of it. I ran in cotton tanks with with built in "shelf" bra AND a sports bra.

She said I must now use "driwick" materail as cotton is not okay for the intensity I am now doing. SO I go home look it up and it says made of polyester. I am confused as I would think polyester would be hotter and make the rash worse.

I went out and bought a driwick tee for tommorow as I am now worried about running in tanks for a while. Doc also said to use powder with talk and oxide before any runs.

After googling I think I will buy some of that "body Glide" that runners say works great.

So any thoughts? Do you get hotter in the polyester shirts?

 

[sfw2]

I am BY NO MEANS a runner

, but I do know that polyester has come a long way from the old double-knit days. From what I've read, cotton tends to soak up the sweat, and just leave it lying next to the skin, increasing the chances of a rash/infection.

Supposedly, the dri-weave fabric pulls the moisture away from your skin (not sure where it's supposed to go???), thereby keeping your skin dry and comfy.

 

[6chix]

Cotton actually holds the moisture and bacteria next to your skin. You will be a lot more comfortable using some sort of dri-wick material. I use body glide on my inner thighs on any run over 10 miles. You don't know pain until run the 8 miles of a marathon with no skin on your inner thighs

 

[KristyHall]

someone suggested using baby powder, i dunno if it works

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

Only running I ever did was in Nomex an Kevlar.... Not fun...

 

[bkreugar]

Thanks for the replies. Yes 6chix I am sorry that would be torture, I learned quick to run in LONGER shorts, so I don't have that problem.

Well I am certainly going to use the dri wick tee I have for tommorow, I am SOOO hoping it wont make me hotter. That was why I liked running in the tanks as it left more skin exposed, But now want to have the area that is inflamed covered.

Just seems counterintuituve to have polyester be cooler.

Yes doc said that it was because it was cotton that it became infected, as she said it just stays next to your skin SOPPING wet.

So much for cottin being the "breathable fabric" I always steered away from polyester for this reason.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Polyester is NOT hotter, I prefer any wicking shirts to t shirts, MUCH more comfortable.

You can use vasaline if you are chafing or talcum powder if you prefer, also running stores and motocross stores also sell stuff called "monkey butt" that is a chaff resistant powder.

This is wghat we did for cross country.

 

[Livinzoo]

I haven't ran in awhile but I bought a triathlete tank and short set. Shorts are spandex but have another layer. It helps keep the spandex from clinging to your girly bits. The tank has a built in shelf bra and a pocket in the lower back. Good place for a bandana or packs of gel. I really like having a runners belt that hold small things of water and your number attaches too. It irritates me when in front, so the belt allows me to move it back to the front at the end of the race.

The brand name of the clothes I wear is Zoot. Look them up. They are worth the price. Sometimes you get the best deals on ebay.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

I get that on my legs sometimes during the summer when I sweat a lot and it can be horrid! This is kind of random, but I've found that lotrimin spray works wonders. It's actually for jock itch, but it takes away the pain quite efficiently and dries up the area nicely. I will say that it can sting at first and sometimes a lot, but the stinging goes away and you are left with some real relief.

 

[ranchhand]

Boy did I leap to a wrong conclusion!

Need to read my own sig line more often!

I came in wondering about runner ducks with diaper rash!