My nipples hurt from the friction

rldeclercq4
rldeclercq4 Posts: 269 Member
edited November 30 in Fitness and Exercise
Ok now that I've got the awkward TMI part of the question out of the way, I've been running more and want to continue but I'm dealing with some...discomfort... What suggestions do you have? And particular brand of wicking shirts I can try? Do I just need to work through it and it'll go away?
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Replies

  • Equus5374
    Equus5374 Posts: 462 Member
    I have a male friend who has the same issues. Fortunately for him, he's a nurse and he goes and gets some sort of nipple covers that are designed for nursing mothers. They work! You might look into something like that, but there's also tons of anti-chafing creams and of course, always Band-Aids. Some types of medical tape (Durapore silk tape) might stick better than Band-Aids. Check with local running clubs or other runners you know who may have the same problem.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    Compression tops.

    And for more than 14 miles, a bit of Vaseline.
  • PlantBasedRnr
    PlantBasedRnr Posts: 129 Member
    Don't run in cotton - and try the Durapore.
  • trswallow
    trswallow Posts: 116 Member
    It is not uncommon, and you can find pictures of people finishing marathons with blood on the front of their shirts from bleeding nipples. You need to take action because while yours may not be bleeding yet, they are likely starting to scab and become hyper-sensitive.

    You can get Nip Gaurds at running and some sporting goods stores, band-aids, various anti-chafe creams & sticks, even Vasoline.

    I have that problem in cold weather and l make a point of wearing a tight wicking shirt as a base layer. Avoid cotton because it soaks up sweat and become heavier. Which just makes the friction worse. Also avoid textured tech fabrics, because they act like a cheese grater.

    You'll know it's bad when you scream in the shower when the water hits your chest. Been there, done that, wife wondered what the hell happened.
  • dewd2
    dewd2 Posts: 2,445 Member
    "Nip Guards" are nothing more than 3M Transpore tape. Get a roll and tear of small pieces to cover the nipples and you are set. No need to spend a fortune on specially cut tape.
  • Witchdoctor58
    Witchdoctor58 Posts: 226 Member
    plus size halter bras might work. Some of them are made with very smooth thin fabric, and should you happen to have "moobs", this would also give some support. Plus, they are re-usable and therefore green.
  • SassJess81
    SassJess81 Posts: 75 Member
    Have you tried BodyGlide? It's an antichafing stick you can buy at running stores and drugstores.
  • filovirus76
    filovirus76 Posts: 156 Member
    Water proof bandaids are a cheap easy fix.
  • enterdanger
    enterdanger Posts: 2,447 Member
    I had a friend with pierced nipples that used to tape snapple caps over them when we went to shows so his rings wouldn't get ripped out in the pit. That might work...it's also completely ridiculous so maybe just try the body glide.
  • LazSommer
    LazSommer Posts: 1,851 Member
    enterdanger wrote: »
    I had a friend with pierced nipples that used to tape snapple caps over them when we went to shows so his rings wouldn't get ripped out in the pit. That might work...it's also completely ridiculous so maybe just try the body glide.

    Wat
  • harrybananas
    harrybananas Posts: 292 Member
    Ran in cotton and sweat wicking materials. Never understood how this can happen. Still amazed.
  • djspacecaptain
    djspacecaptain Posts: 366 Member
    I have the same problem and it sucks. I have been using bandaids and they work, just one over each nipple. Dont try and push through the pain because from my experience it wont go away.
  • skorsk
    skorsk Posts: 32 Member
    Vaseline.
  • filovirus76
    filovirus76 Posts: 156 Member
    krisonkor wrote: »
    Vaseline.
    Vaseline can stain clothes. Body glide won't stain. You can find body glide in most athletic stores.

    I still think bandaids are the easiest.
  • Aed0416
    Aed0416 Posts: 101 Member
    Witchdoctor58 wrote: »
    plus size halter bras might work. Some of them are made with very smooth thin fabric, and should you happen to have "moobs", this would also give some support. Plus, they are re-usable and therefore green.

    I have always wondered why this isn't a (seemingly) more popular solution.
  • 20yearsyounger
    20yearsyounger Posts: 1,630 Member
    When I first started running that was the first problem I had. I was sore for weeks. I was running with cotton shirts with prints etc. I only wear moisture wicking shirts now. I wear the Old Navy Active Wear shirts (nothing high tech or fancy)...I dont experience these issues anymore.
  • JustSomeEm
    JustSomeEm Posts: 20,284 MFP Moderator
    Aed0416 wrote: »
    Witchdoctor58 wrote: »
    plus size halter bras might work. Some of them are made with very smooth thin fabric, and should you happen to have "moobs", this would also give some support. Plus, they are re-usable and therefore green.

    I have always wondered why this isn't a (seemingly) more popular solution.

    Halter bras can sometimes cause uncomfortable chafing in other areas. While probably not as painful as bleeding nipples, it might for some folks be just trading one issue for another. :) But... I'm a girl, so my opinion might not be valid here. ;)
  • chastity0921
    chastity0921 Posts: 209 Member
    Do you all have extremely long nipples, or are you just running insane mileage?
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    filovirus76 wrote: »
    krisonkor wrote: »
    Vaseline.
    Vaseline can stain clothes.

    It's running kit, not a catwalk show.

    It goes into the washing machine immediately after training as it's saturated anyway.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    chastity0921 wrote: »
    Do you all have extremely long nipples, or are you just running insane mileage?

    My worst time was only 8K. It can depend on lots of things, but some people suffer more than others.
  • 20yearsyounger
    20yearsyounger Posts: 1,630 Member
    chastity0921 wrote: »
    Do you all have extremely long nipples, or are you just running insane mileage?

    The first time I experienced it I ran 22k that day. Under 8 miles doesn't bother me but I don't want to take any chances. I can wring my sweat out my shirt and fill buckets with sweat. It just makes the shirt heavy and then the constant rubbing makes my nipples sore.
  • Arsenal1919
    Arsenal1919 Posts: 212 Member
    Yep ... good quality band-aids that won't loosen with perspiration/movement ... and, perhaps, a running singlet a size or two smaller that will hug you tighter.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    The only thing I've found that I can absolutely count on is a compression top under my running shirt, between chest hair & perspiration I've found that nip guards, band aids, body glide etc etc etc doesn't work for me YMMV. ( haven't tried duct tape.....

    g5yphanabwck.jpg
  • NikolaosKey
    NikolaosKey Posts: 410 Member
    Synthetic clothing. If someone is not running is unaware of "the runner's nipples" :)
  • yusaku02
    yusaku02 Posts: 3,472 Member
    band-aids worked well for me
  • phxteach
    phxteach Posts: 309 Member
    How mean is it if I wish this on my adulterous ex-husband?
  • trswallow
    trswallow Posts: 116 Member
    chastity0921 wrote: »
    Do you all have extremely long nipples, or are you just running insane mileage?

    It's probably more of a problem for people with nipples that protrude more. Distance plays a factor in it, because the further you are running the more time there is for your shirt to rub. I tend to have more problems when it is chilly out (50 - 65° F) because it is cold enough that my nipples respond but not cold enough that I make sure to wear a tight shirt. Having lost 40 lbs most of my shirts are loose now.
    phxteach wrote: »
    How mean is it if I wish this on my adulterous ex-husband?

    If this is all you wish on him then you are letting him off real easy. It hurts, but it is easily prevented with some forethought.
  • amyk0202
    amyk0202 Posts: 666 Member
    What about reusable silicone nipple covers--http://www.amazon.com/Nippies-Reusable-Silicone-Pasties-ADHESIVE/dp/B001PU9A9Q?ie=UTF8&keywords=nippies&qid=1459100244&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1 . I can't imagine peeling off a band-aid.
  • cerise_noir
    cerise_noir Posts: 5,468 Member
    I've used a combination of square bandaids and compression tops.

    I've even tried duct tape with gauze... it's harder to remove, of course.
    phxteach wrote: »
    How mean is it if I wish this on my adulterous ex-husband?
    Maybe if the chafing happened elsewhere. ;)
  • SassJess81
    SassJess81 Posts: 75 Member
    edited March 2016
    You could cut out just the nipple areas on your shirts, provided it's not too cold out.
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