What is going on with my skin?! (ew, PIP)

[mollyjean]

I went for a long run on Monday and got a SERIOUS chaff mark on my chest at the top of my sports bra line (that’s the mark in the middle of the pic). It literally rubbed so raw it looks like a burned myself. Well, I put a little Neosporin on it and covered to protect. At night I’ve been letting it “air out” with nothing on it... but OMG! Today is hurts SO BAD. My entire chest is itchy feeling and now it’s all red and splotchy.


What the hell is going on? Any suggestions? I have a 20k on Saturday and I really don’t want to be clawing at my chest the entire time….

[vanillahip]

Do you usually use neosporin? Are you sure it was just your bra chafing? (ie: no bug bite there or something?) That looks like an allergic reaction or a really odd infection... I personally would get it checked out by my PCP or derm.

[Susie]

Is the ring around it where the adhesive was from a bandage covering? It looks like you might have had a reaction to the adhesive. I've had that before. If you can stand leaving it uncovered, I would.

What a weird place to chafe! Do you have any sports bras, tanks, etc. that cut lower than that so it doesn't get rubbed again before it heals completely?

[fdcritt76]

That looks pretty rough. I had a bad chafe last summer under my HRM. I forgot to Body Glide, and it was bad! It took some time to heal. I let air do the work for me. Good luck with your healing.

[sadlebred]

I would get it checked out by the doctor. It looks itchy!

[gumi]

I chafe there too but only in the summer. I think what happens is I sweat, the dry heat dries up the sweat, and then the leftover salt rubs against my chest. I try to wear sports bras with varying tops (some high cut, some v-cut, etc) to minimize this. But, the rest of my chest does not react.

When it heals, its scabs and that makes it itchy.

I would put a liquid bandage on it and then a normal bandage for when you run. That way there wont be any more friction.

I am it feels better soon, raw skin hurts!!

[mollyjean]

Yep, the ring is from the bandage adhesive (or at least it is in that shape?). How strange, I've never had a reaction like that before! Then again I've never chaffed my chest either, lol. It was a weird type of cloth bandaid vs the normal kind so maybe the "sticky stuff" was too harsh?

All of my sport bras hit at the same level... definitely a good suggestion to invest in some varying styles for the future.  Good idea on the liquid bandage for the race too!

I guess it is just super bizarre that both occurred. 1) I've never chaffed so I didn't know why my chest was hurting so much until it was too late and 2) apparently I'm allergic to cheap bandaids. Double whammy.

[sadlebred]

If it is from the band aid, leave it off. It is probably an allergic reaction. I have had something similar before from a bandage. You could use cortisone cream to help calm it down. If it itches, take your favorite anti histamine. I would leave the chafing alone or use Aquaphor to soothe it.

[kellydelq]

I get chafing in that spot all the time, it is so painful because your bra is constantly rubbing it. I usually just put a little Neosporin on it when it first happens and then let it air out meaning no bra while at home and a loose tee shirt, by day two it usually dries up like a scab, may be itchy but better than painful

[hannahb]

Have you still been working out (I.e sweating) with the bandage on? It looks like a reaction from the adhesive but I had something similar show up (weird ring, itchy) from covering up stitches and exercising. It ended up being ring worm. If it doesn't go away by airing it out maybe get it checked out. A over the counter anti fungal was all I needed.