Rash from running - advice needed
 

I have just got back into running and after an hour's run last night (though was very sweaty) I have a one inch round area of rash (lots of tiny, sore red dots) on my inner right thigh. Not on my left, just on my right.

~ What causes this?

~ What is the best treatment to stop it hurting or getting worse next time I run?

~ How can it be avoided in the future?

Just a heat rash dude. Not much you can do about it.

I'm told that marathon runners lube the area with vasoline before they start (or sometimes during the race).

I've never tried it however.

i used to get that, i think it's mainly cause the skin on the inner thighs are rubbing together/rubbing against your boxers, causing. i try to wear boxer briefs when i used to run, and that helped a bit, and putting lotion on afterwards made it feel better.

This thread got me curious so I did a search on runners world web site forums, and pasted in some replies from various folks on this topic.

1: tights, tighter pants - so that my thighs cannot touch each other. If they can't touch, they don't rub.

2: a good way to prevent that is to wear fitness shorts (like bike shorts type) when you're running. try to avoid cotton, as it'll just rub through until you have a hole.

3: vaseline big time or "Body Glide" (looks like a stick of antipersperant). wicking wear is also my Godsend!

4: Body Glide is $6 - $8 a tube, so what I do is just get the gel-type X-treme Sport Right Guard and smear that on all over. I use it on my inner thighs to prevent chafing, I smear it all over my feet and in-between my toes cuz it helps keep my feet dryer and prevent blisters, hey, it works everywhere! And at $1.49 a tube, it's a lot darn cheaper than Body Glide.

5: use the body glide stuff that DD talked about. There's also some stufff called aguaphor that works really well to prevent chaffing!! If you can get a pair if running shorts from a running store or Nike outlet. The nike shorts are called drifit. This stuff is about the same as coolmax.

6: Spandex shorts. Work perfectly. No chaffing at all

7: Don't laugh I actually carry a Zip Loc bag with Vaseline (petroleum jelly) in it. I apply it when it gets uncomfortable

wear bike pants or tights

Thanks for all the advice.

I don't think its a rubbing/chafing thing. I think its a heat thing, as Golden said.

Seems to have died down as gave myself two days off. Tonight I'll try running when its dark and see if that helps.

I run 3 - 4 times a week and have much experience with this. My rule is that if I'm going more than 4 miles, BodyGlide to the rescue. I put it on my inner thighs and under arms. The stuff works. I've had to do the nipple application too but that's only if going long (10 miles +) and wearing a cotton shirt. If you're unable to apply anything prior to your run, GoldBond works well to ease the pain.

I just started running myself. Immediately that was a problem for me. It's persisted for over 2 weeks now. I started using lotion when I ran and I just bought biker shorts. But the damn itching wont go away. My inner thighs are red and irrated....ouch!

Funny though, it's mostly on my right inner thigh, and less on the left. Maybe that's telling me something about my (bad) form.

I see in a number of the replies that you've got some good advice. When I have had this problem it's been due to loose fitting shorts. Cotton shorts once they get wet will also irritate your skin in that area. I switched to poly/nylon and never had another problem. Good luck.

if you are going on a long run with a nylon top make sure to tape your nipples..no kidding

Try bodyglide. It looks like a deoderant that you apply to any parts of your body that rub or may chafe.

Yeah I agree bodyglide works great and make sure you have good running shorts that wick the sweat away. I first started running with just cotton shorts and had similar problems. You have had a rough spot on your shorts on one side and not noticed. Try some good running shorts (loose preferably)

Baby powder works great. If you shave near that area, sweat will not be trapped like usual, meaning extra baby powder.

Running rash
 

I have stumbled acrrosss this page after searching for "runners rash" on google...good stuff so far, I wonder though...my rash is like some of you have explained with little red dots....although mine itches and has spread some, I wonder does anyone have expericence with this?

Try Body Glide.

I've never gotten runner's rash, but I know people who swear by Body Glide. That stuff is also good for preventing blisters.

Guys/gals... if it's not going away, or it's getting itchy, you could have a fungus..

I learnt this the hard way. I used to like going riding at the local valedrome, lapping the dressy cyclists with my old bike. Thing was, I never liked those poxy clothes and I felt sorta smug in my old shorts and singlet. This was just an occasional thing too.

Well... I learnt about the value of bike shorts the hard way. I lost a lot of skin - then I got a rash. No probs. It got bigger. Ouch. It got even worse. Double ouch. Soon it was pretty bloody sore....

Eventually I saw a doc - because it was not only painful, but getting to the point of being visible (in shorts, swimmers etc). Yup. This covered a large area. Lucky I was single at the time.

He sent me off for Daktarin creme. An over the counter anti-fungal. Most likely the other brands would have worked ok also.

Hope this helps somebody. The relief was almost immediate (significant relief in 8hrs).

Oh yeah. In my case there was discolouration around the area. A slight browning of the skin, mainly around the edge of the patch. My guess is that you're at greater risk if you've ever had fungal infection (ie tinea) elsewhere. Eg elbow/knee flexors or feet. And I worked at a pool also...

Thanks alot Nimetic.....I will be going to get a tube of that stuff today!!

Vaseline works if your thighs rub together. Also less material on your legs helps.

I highly recommend these running shorts. Half marathons with no problem. They're dirt cheap, they're airy and light, they keep your junk in place, and they're used by everybody who knows how to run in the military, including all those cats at SOCOM. And these shorts have an NSN. Hah.

http://www.soffe.com/webapp/wcs/stor...egory_rn=14268