FitSugar

The Unwanted Side Effects of Exercise: Chafing, Bacne, and Blisters

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 04:05:02 PDT

Experts are always raving about the benefits of exercise, and rightfully so, since the list is a long one. But no one ever discusses the drawbacks to your skin you have to put up with when working out regularly. I'm talking about chafing, pimples on your back, chest, and face, and blisters on your feet. Of course the benefits of exercise exceed these unwanted skin issues, but it doesn't make them any less annoying. Here are ways to prevent them:

Chafing:
- Moisture and friction are a deadly combo for us exercisers. If you wear loose clothing made of cotton, the fabric will stay wet and the constant rubbing is sure to irritate your skin and cause chafing in your sensitive areas. To avoid this issue, invest in some fitted exercise clothes that are made of wicking material such as merino wool or a polyester blend.
- Look for bras, tops, and shorts that are seamless and have no tags.

Keep on reading to learn how to prevent bacne and blisters.

How to Treat Sunburn

BellaTV — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 09:00:00 PDT

Summer’s the perfect time to catch some rays, but if you’ve gotten a bit more tan than you would have hoped, here are some solutions to keeping that sunburn at bay. Watch our video for the dos and don’ts to treating the redness. Next time, don’t forget your SPF!

Blister Prevention Tips From FitSugar Readers

FitSugar — Wed, 26 May 2010 07:00:57 PDT

Blisters can be a real pain in your heel. They can certainly put a damper on your fitness routine. Many of you recently shared some great tips for avoiding this painful side effect of running and I wanted to pass them along. Check out these tips:

"I find proper socks and the right pair of trainers makes all the difference." - mandiesoh
"I use Body Glide. It comes in a deodorant-like stick. It is clear, odorless and works like a charm. It also works for under arm chafing or sports bra chafing. I use it for my running shoes and my cute shoes. It is great to put on your usual 'hot spots' when you get a new pair of heels to break in. I keep a mini one in my purse just in case my shoes start to bother me during the day." - econinsf
"I have had the worst time with blisters, but recently I found seamless running socks online that wick away moisture and are seam-free. I haven't had a blister since I started wearing them!" - res54682

There are tons more great tips, so keep reading.

15 Weapons to Ward Off Foot Blisters

FabSugar — Fri, 14 May 2010 06:50:22 PDT

We've all been there - stoked for our new shoes, we wear them as soon as they arrive, walk around for a few hours, then bam, blister city. It happened again with my brand new pair of gorgeous leopard flats - blisters so painful they made me second-guess my purchase. Don't you hate that? But I've learned: The solution isn't necessarily to ship back the shoes, it's to nip those blisters in the bud. Click on to get armed with 15 foot-blister weapons. You're going down, suckers!

Spring Running Tip: Prevent Blisters

FitSugar — Wed, 12 May 2010 07:00:00 PDT

Spring inspires many people to lace up their sneaks and hit the open road for their runs, but one thing you'll need to know is how to prevent blisters, and unwanted side-effect to running. Here are some tips to keep your feet happy and blister-free:

Make sure your shoes fit properly - not too tight and not too loose. Different brands and styles cater to wide/narrow feet and high/low arches. There should be about 1/2 inch between your longest toe and the tip of your shoe. Make sure you can wiggle your toes freely, and your heel shouldn't slip when you walk.
Keep your feet as dry as possible. Avoid running in puddles and if you like to pour water over your head on a hot day, try leaning over so it doesn't drip into your shoes. I think I have to re-learn this tip once every Summer.
Get yourself a few pairs of wicking socks (not cotton). These will pull moisture away from your skin when your feet sweat. I like ones made by Teko and Darn Tough.
If your feet tend to sweat easily, sprinkle talcum or foot powder on your bare feet before putting on your socks.

Want to know what else you can do to prevent blisters? Then

You Asked: Are Blisters Unavoidable For Running Newbies?

FitSugar — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 09:00:00 PDT

Dear Fit,
I just started running and was all fired up to get into it this Summer, but painful blisters have quickly extinguished my excitement. A close friend and runner said it comes with the territory since I'm new to running. Are blisters something I have to put up with or is there something I can do to prevent them?
- Blister Sister

First of all, I think it is great that you have been bitten by the running bug. It's the perfect way to work your heart and tone your legs and booty. It stinks that blisters have dampened your enthusiasm, and no, just because you're new to running, that doesn't mean you have to put up with sore tootsies. To learn how to prevent blisters when running,

read more. Many factors can affect your feet and cause painful blisters, such as:

New sneakers: It can take several weeks to break in a new pair of kicks, so start off slow. Wear your sneaks to do errands or around the house when you're not running. This will speed up the time it takes for your shoes to mold to your feet. Do short runs at first and gradually increase the duration of your workouts as your sneakers feel more comfortable.
Poorly fitting sneaks: If your sneakers are too big, they'll shift as you run and rub against your skin, which will lead to blisters. Your sneakers should fit snugly, not too loose and not too tight. There should be about a half inch between your longest toe and the tip of your shoe.
Wrong shoes for the activity: If you know you'll be running on the sidewalk in your neighborhood, don't buy a pair of trail runners.
Your socks: When feet get sweaty, the moisture is sure to cause blisters. So wear a pair of wicking socks when you run to draw moisture away from your skin. I also find thicker socks make my feet more blister-prone, so choose a thin pair instead.
Wet feet: Avoid running in puddles, and if you like to pour water over your head on a hot day, try leaning over so it doesn't drip into your shoes. If your feet are naturally sweaty, try sprinkling talcum or foot powder on your bare feet before putting on your wicking socks, or spray antiperspirant on your bare feet (I have runner friends who swear by this).
Doing too much, too soon: Running long distances when you first start running can be hard on your feet. So stick with runs that are 30 minutes or less. Gradually increase the length of your workouts so your feet can get used to the new demands you're putting on them.
Sensitive feet:If you find that you've tried all this and a certain part of your foot continues to get blisters, protect that area by taping it with sports tape or apply moleskin padding.

Source

Favorite Excuse Not to Run: I Get Blisters

FitSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:30:00 PDT

Now that Spring is really here, you probably see tons of people running outside. Maybe you tried it but ended up with awful blisters on your feet, so you threw in the towel. I am here to tell you that there are many ways to prevent blisters and keep your feet comfortable. Give these a try, and then give running another chance.

First, think about how old your sneaks are. Is it time for a new pair? If it is, choose ones that fit well. Different brands and styles cater to wide/narrow feet and high/low arches. There should be about 1/2 inch between your longest toe and the tip of your shoe. Make sure you can wiggle your toes freely, and your heel shouldn't slip when you walk. Also choose ones based on the activity you plan on doing. If you'll be running on pavement, don't buy the trail runners.
Spend some time breaking in your new pair. Go on short walks and runs, and then gradually build your time up.
Get yourself a few pairs of thin wicking socks (not cotton). When your feet sweat and stay wet, your skin will get soft and that's how blisters can form. Wear these socks when you go to pick out your new sneaks.
Keep your feet as dry as possible. Avoid running in puddles, and if you like to pour water over your head on a hot day, try leaning over so it doesn't drip into your shoes.

Want to know what else you can do to prevent blisters? Then

Blisters Hurt, Treatment Shouldn't

FitSugar — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 09:30:00 PDT

Yesterday, while running on the treadmill, I did not notice that my sock had a rather unfortunate fold in it which left me an even more unfortunate blister on my heel. So I went on the search for what I should do to help heal it rapidly.

Here are some good suggestions I came across on caring for a blister, from the University of Michigan Health System:

Steps should be taken to avoid further irritating the problem area.
Large blisters can be carefully drained with a sterilized needle, then covered with antibiotic ointment and a bandage.
For extra protection, purchase a moleskin at a drugstore. Cut a hole that's larger than the blister in the moleskin, creating a moleskin "donut." Then apply the moleskin so that the hole is over the blister.
See your doctor about any blisters that don't heal in a reasonable amount of time, or look like they may be infected.

Source

How to Avoid Foot Pain Caused by Running

FitSugar — Tue, 15 May 2007 09:30:00 PDT

According to the website Cool Running your feet pound the ground some 800 times when running just a mile. That's a lot of pounding!!! So you want to be sure to take care of your feet, especially if you are new to running. Rookies tend to experience more shin splints, blisters ankle sprains and other injuries than veteran runners (but those veterans had to start somewhere, right?).

Here are some ways to help you protect your feet and ankles that will hopefully help you stay injury and blister free.

Warm up: A few Sun Salutations will get your blood flowing before a run. Or try walking briskly or running slowly for 5 minutes, followed by gently stretching your leg muscles.
Buy good running shoes: Look for good shock absorption and construction that will provide stability and cushioning to the foot. Buy shoes at the end of the day when the foot is the largest. Here's a list of running sneaks that podiatrists recommend.
Keep your feet friction free: To avoid blisters, make sure your shoes fit well and try Thorlo's "blister-proof" socks. Give these socks a try, and in general keep in mind that nylon socks tend to be more abrasive than cotton. Try lubricating the friction prone spots with vaseline, and if that just sounds too icky try powder.

There's more, so

Strengthen your ankles: Weak ankles make you unstable on uneven surfaces, like trail running, and more prone to sprains. Try writing the ankle alphabet daily 3 to 5 times. This movement will strengthen your ankle joint through a wide range of motion.
Stretch your calves: Tight calves can really disrupt the foot's ability to function properly. Make sure to stretch your calves out after you run. I love holding the downward facing dog pose for 10 slow breaths to get this done.
Listen to your body: If you are experiencing pain in your feet, ankles or knees, slow it down a bit or take a couple of days off. Remember, ice can be your friend in these occasions and can help decrease inflammation and promote healing.

Hope these tips help keep your feet happy, because if your feet aren't happy you're going to be miserable.

Protect Your Skin with BodyGlide

FitSugar — Wed, 07 Mar 2007 11:00:00 PST

One of the toughest things about running in races (or even just jogging a few miles in your neighborhood) is how rough it is on your skin. Anyone, no matter if they're resting, working, walking, running, cycling, hiking, climbing, swimming or paddling needs to avoid skin injury from sun. However we also need to avoid injury to the skin from friction (blisters, chafing, saddle sores and other skin irritation caused by rubbing). I don't know about you but my gym bag is only so big, so wouldn't it be great if one product protected your skin from both dangers?

Luckily BODYGLIDE has revamped their anti-blister and anti-chafing formula to include a spf 25 sunscreen in their BODYGLIDE Sun Screen Stick ($13.99). Whether from footwear (including athletic and other shoes, boots, and sandals), from clothing (including shorts and bike chamois, tops, and sports bras), or from skin rubbing skin the stick will help alleviate such pain. It comes in a convenient stick formula (looks like a deodorant stick) that you can put anywhere you need sun and/or irritation protection. The ‘stick’ makes application effortless and unlike other products, it contains no petroleum or mineral, vegetable or other oils, no lanolin, no water or alcohol; so it does not slide off the skin, evaporate, or require frequent reapplication. it’s not oily, sticky or wet, doesn’t fly away like powder. It's waterproof, breathable and moisturizing, which means even if you are doing a triathlon in the desert, you'll feel protected. Buy it online from DrugStore.com or visit the BodyGlide site to see where you can buy it.