How do I keep from getting an ankle rash while snorkeling/diving?

May 19, 2008 4:26 PM

How do I prevent an ankle rash from dive fins w/ socks while snorkeling?

I got blisters from my dive fins, so I bought some cheapo dive socks, but about a full day after wearing them with fins and snorkeling for a few hours, I got a red, super itchy rash on my ankles that lasted 4 days. My skin is generally very sensitive, but what can I do? Buy more pricey dive socks? (Does the quality of neoprene matter?) Is it chafing, and if so, would some sort of oil-based lubricant work?

I'm going again in a month and would love to be more comfortable this time...

posted by squishy to sports, hobbies, & recreation (3 comments total)

If the fin socks didn't help, you'd be better off getting better fins. Not sure how dive fins vary, but when I was really into bodyboarding/bodysurfing, good fins made all the difference. In fact, if you're just snorkeling and not diving you may want to look into a pair of those type of fins. They're typically shorter and more comfortable. I liked these for snorkeling when I lived in Hawaii.
posted by rooftop secrets at 4:36 PM on May 19, 2008

Triathletes use a product called Body Glide to reduce wet suit chafing. I imagine it may help. Oil based lubes will break down neoprene, so I'd steer clear of those.
posted by advicepig at 8:21 PM on May 19, 2008

Several things come to mind.

1. Was it a reaction to the new socks? Did you wash them prior to use? If your skin is sensitive, that's always a good thing to do prior to use of a new clothing item.

2. It could be "sea lice". See information at Diver's Alert Network - The jellyfish larvae can be a problem in some dive areas.

3. Was is chafing? Were you using a full-foot fin? If so, consider switching to one which uses a bootie so you can have a properly fitted boot and then adjust the fin strap to your needs.
posted by mightshould at 6:20 AM on May 20, 2008