Help! I'm running my nipples ragged!

August 25, 2004 11:21 AM

I started running about a month ago, and am loving it, but -- chafed, red, sore nipples are no fun for me. Does anyone have any advice on how to avoid rubbing my nipples raw while running?
posted by dogmatic to health & fitness (20 comments total)

Good lord man! Just control yourself and save that kind of thing for when you're in the privacy of your own home!

But seriously, I found that certian fits/cuts/materials of shirt were much more abusive than others, have you tried different shirts?

If you're not a hirstute man, I've heard band-aids sterile adhesive bandages make good nipple-sheilds.
posted by Capn at 11:27 AM on August 25, 2004

A mansiere? Or a bro?
posted by adampsyche at 11:28 AM on August 25, 2004

Nipguards!
posted by rafter at 11:29 AM on August 25, 2004

bandaids. or surgical tape. or electrical tape. or, if you can find them, nippless.
posted by crush-onastick at 11:31 AM on August 25, 2004

Possum fur!
posted by mookieproof at 11:40 AM on August 25, 2004

My nipple-chafed roommate swore by vaseline
posted by FreezBoy at 11:42 AM on August 25, 2004

Damn! Someone beat me to Nipguards (featured on Dave Barry).
posted by Krrrlson at 11:42 AM on August 25, 2004

vaseline (but you'll have two greasy patches on your shirt) or band-aids (but pulling them off might be a pain if you're hairy)
posted by jacobsee at 11:46 AM on August 25, 2004

Chafing advice for runners.
posted by cardboard at 11:49 AM on August 25, 2004

Bandaids and vaseline have always done well for me when used together.
posted by dflemingdotorg at 11:51 AM on August 25, 2004

Why don't you just run topless?
posted by naxosaxur at 12:13 PM on August 25, 2004

I'd also suggest running without a shirt (except for most winter runs). The air and any breeze will cool you off more due to direct contact with sweat anyway. I run cross-country for my school and we almost always run with our shirts off. It's just easier that way.
posted by thebabelfish at 12:53 PM on August 25, 2004

Moleskin?
posted by kenko at 12:53 PM on August 25, 2004

Yeah... to echo thebablefish, running without a shirt is entirely acceptable while it's still warm out. At first it feels pretty dorky... but you'll get used to it. Also, I dunno what you run in, but most of those super-techo-fiber shirts should be light enough to not cause any damage to your sensitive bits.
posted by ph00dz at 1:15 PM on August 25, 2004

I've been running in gym shorts and various t-shirts, and have had the problem on and off since I started (some shirts worse than others). I haven't run shirtless partly because I'm running to lose weight, and feel a little embarassed showing skin (not to mention i'm ghostly pale), and haven't invested in ultra-high-tech fiber shirts cause I'm new at it and didn't want to invest too much to something I wasn't sure I'd have the willpower to continue over the long term. But that seems the more sensible solution, if it gets a vote of approval.
posted by dogmatic at 1:47 PM on August 25, 2004

I run every day, and you really want to get the breathable shirts. Cotton is super heavy after 3 miles or so, and you feel much better overall. An aside, but if you're running to lose weight, don't get discouraged, results may not show for at least 6 weeks. . .but when that day comes, you'll feel great. And you'll think, "I'm so glad I bought that New Balance Lightweight Zone 1 Micro Poly Double Pique running shirt."
posted by the fire you left me at 2:16 PM on August 25, 2004

a lot of the breathable shirts are really starting to come down in price (and i'd agree with a lot of people that they really do make exercising a lot more comfortable and fun).

i've seen them at costco for cdn$12, for example. here's one at one of my favourite outdoors stores for all of cdn$17. i have the girl's version of this shirt and it's holding up really really well. i'd imagine it'd work quite well for you and your sore nipples!
posted by lumiere at 6:34 PM on August 25, 2004

The awesomest thing about super-high-tech gym clothes is that you can wash them while you're in the shower with a little soap, and the next day they're good-as-new!
posted by josh at 8:44 PM on August 25, 2004

grit your teeth and just deal with it till the callouses form.
posted by Fupped Duck at 7:53 AM on August 26, 2004

vaseline works fine for me. for some reason you only need the lightest of coverings, so it doesn't make a noticeable mess on the shirt.

i get an occasional sore nipple even though i've been running for years, so i don't think it's something that will get better with time. it's rare enough that i don't bother with vaseline unless i had a problem the last time i went out.

it also helps if you get chafing between the legs (eg with new shorts), or from a label in a waistband or collar.

extra tip - avoid wearing socks with holes in if you run in sandy areas - if you get sand in your shoe things get nasty pretty quickly where there's no sock to protect you.
posted by andrew cooke at 8:03 AM on August 26, 2004