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Bloody nipples.....(it's a guy thing)

Posts: 9,248 Member
edited December 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
For some people black toenails are the sign that they've finally hit the big leagues in terms of mileage, for a lot of guy it's bloody nipples. (sorry - there's no nice way to put it)

I think I've tried just about every cure out there, vaseline just made a mess of my shirt, bodyglide just got sweated away, band aids & nip guards would require a certain amount of man-scaping to stay in place (I'm not about to shave my chest....) and I was too cowardly to try duct tape but I finally found a solution . I picked up an Under Armour heatgear sleeveless compression top to wear as an undershirt. Did 18km last Sunday with no sign of the dreaded pink streaks on my shirt and no ouch factor in the post-run shower. (and as an aspiring triathlete it was right under my nose - that's why they wear skin tight tri tops or suits...d'oh.)

Now I'm really looking forward to May 27th.......

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Replies

  • Posts: 3,039 Member
    There is one solution that works even better. NO shirt! :D
  • Posts: 9,248 Member
    There is one solution that works even better. NO shirt! :D

    :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: (I'd scare away the wildlife along the path.....)
  • Posts: 1,816 Member
    Ow ow ow ow. My nipples just tingled thinking about them bleeding and chafing!

    I'm sorry you men have to deal with that!
  • Posts: 719 Member
    Gahh! This is a new problem for me.... so annoying! I never expected it to be something I would have to worry about.

    Haven't actually gotten to the point where my nipples bleed, but after a long cardio session, they are defnitely sore/irritated/tender.

    I'll have to look into this Under Armour heatgear sleeveless compression top you talk about.....
  • Posts: 998 Member
    Ow ow ow ow. My nipples just tingled thinking about them bleeding and chafing!

    I'm sorry you men have to deal with that!

    ^^^^ Totally agree, poor guys I never even though about that! At least for ladies the sports bra offers protection.
    OUCH though! Glad you found a solution!
  • Posts: 1,090 Member
    Mine hurt only once. Talking to some other guys, deodorant works like vaseline without the messy shirt. I will likely use this for my half coming up in July.
  • Posts: 241 Member
    Oh goodness. You might want to try a waterproof band-aid. Get them from the Dollar Store so you don't waste too much money.
  • Posts: 160 Member
    I wonder if my surf rash guard would work? It works on the board lol
  • Posts: 143 Member
    Have you tried Lansinoh products? They are for nursing mothers who get chapped and bloody nipples.
  • Posts: 1,752 Member
    Try some Anti-monkey butt powder.... (seriously... google it)
  • Posts: 212 Member
    Have you tried wearing a bra?

    I mean, I'm assuming that's why us ladies don't have the same problem...
  • Posts: 462 Member
    I always run and do cardio in compression tank tops.
  • Posts: 3,924 Member
    I just use paper medical tape when I'm wearing a cycling bib. Sticks to the hair, but whatever.
  • Posts: 167 Member
    I've read on here about some guys using Glide ( at least I think that's what it's called), there's also monistats anti chaffing ointment. I found the monistat at the drugstore for DH. Relief was immediate for him.
  • Posts: 1,530 Member
    Ya know, it's not really a guy thing... I have large breasts and when I run/jog/bike/go down stairs/jump, etc etc, my nips will feel like they are being ripped off my chest if I'm not careful. They don't bleed per se but I have had bruises, welts, rashes, and split skin. The worst part after the fact is that bandage adhesive can remove the top layers of delicate boob skin.

    So, I feel for you, I really do.
  • Posts: 462 Member
    Have you tried Lansinoh products? They are for nursing mothers who get chapped and bloody nipples.

    I am friends with the daughters of the woman that created Lansinoh :)
  • Posts: 934 Member

    I am friends with the daughters of the woman that created Lansinoh :)

    That stuff is awesome. My "baby" is 11, but I still buy Lansinoh to put on my hands in the Winter when the air is dry and my knuckles crack and bleed.

    Compression tops are the best defense, aside from those special stick-on nip guard things, from what my guy friends tell me. It makes sense, since it's friction that's causing the problem. Loose shirts move around too much. It's the same reason we cyclists wear spandex shorts...friction and seams on private parts is a VERY bad thing! :sad:
  • Posts: 459 Member
    Riding my bike last summer I found my troubles related to wearing bib biking shorts. If I wear the shorts I don't have any issues. So my bibs hang in the closet.
  • Posts: 249 Member
    WOW, talk about perfect timing for this thread.
    Had a painful episode this week and I finally broke down and bought this stuff.

    Body Glide Anti-Friction
    http://www.roadrunnersports.com/rrs/products/BGL02/

    It came recommended so I will give it a shot.
  • Posts: 1,245 Member
    For some people black toenails are the sign that they've finally hit the big leagues in terms of mileage, for a lot of guy it's bloody nipples. (sorry - there's no nice way to put it)

    I think I've tried just about every cure out there, vaseline just made a mess of my shirt, bodyglide just got sweated away, band aids & nip guards would require a certain amount of man-scaping to stay in place (I'm not about to shave my chest....) and I was too cowardly to try duct tape but I finally found a solution . I picked up an Under Armour heatgear sleeveless compression top to wear as an undershirt. Did 18km last Sunday with no sign of the dreaded pink streaks on my shirt and no ouch factor in the post-run shower. (and as an aspiring triathlete it was right under my nose - that's why they wear skin tight tri tops or suits...d'oh.)

    Now I'm really looking forward to May 27th.......

    I hear ya. I use tape at >=12 miles.

    Yup, it rips out some chest hair when I take it off but I've long since stopped worrying about losing hair! :smile:
  • Posts: 64 Member
    lol. I thought i was the only one who had it =p
  • Posts: 9,248 Member
    Have you tried wearing a bra?

    I mean, I'm assuming that's why us ladies don't have the same problem...

    I could have used one a few years ago! :laugh: :laugh:

    But you're right - women wearing properly fitting sports bras rarely suffer this problem.

    The weave of the shirt also makes a difference - the waffle weaves are the worst offenders.....
  • Posts: 5,754 Member
    compression tops for me. thankfully I've lost enough weight that most 2XL sized fit now. good thing my moobies always behaved and never had the bloody nips issue.:bigsmile:
  • Posts: 225
    At the moment, Ive got sore nipples AND black toenails!!! I would rather bleeding nipples....at least they dont hurt while youre running!
  • Posts: 13
    Vaseline works for me. Without it, the longer the run and the wetter it is, the worse the soreness is. Luckily, I can do a half marathon without any actual bleeding.
  • Posts: 75 Member
    First time for everything... my nipples feel raw today. Going to try vaseline and these compression tops.
  • Posts: 672 Member
    I used to wonder why guys insisted on running shirtless ... thought it was to show off "the situation" ... ha ... I plan to once this weather cools down a little and I'm not running in the gym ... that was not fun!

    I did "not" have them get to the point of bleeding but today it was the worst ... ran the last 20 minutes holding my shirt slightly away from my body ... *sigh* ...

    Really thinking about that compression shirt though ...
This discussion has been closed.