How to Stop and Treat Wetsuit Rash
Quadri Abdur March 7th, 2022 Posted In: How-To
How to Stop and Treat Wetsuit Rash
Surfers are the most likely to suffer from wetsuit rashes, although they may affect anybody who wears a wetsuit. Many wetsuit rash sufferers often want to know how to treat wetsuit rash. If you’re experiencing wetsuit rash, this guide will cover how to stop and treat wetsuit rash.
What Is a Wetsuit Rash?
Wetsuit rashes are rashes that develop over time as skin rubs against wetsuits repeatedly, causing skin irritation and inflammation. Fortunately, many current wetsuits are designed to minimize the risk of wetsuit rashes by using manufacturing methods like minimum seaming or blindstitched and taped seams.
As a result, even a minor nick or chafe from a sloppy seam or cut can be quite irritating. To begin with, the back of your neck and armpits are among the most usual places to feel the effects.
How to Stop Wetsuit Rash
Here are some insightful tips to stop wetsuit rash:
Buy the Right Size of Wetsuit
The first step if you’re thinking of how to stop wetsuit rash is to buy wetsuits that fit. A wetsuit’s main function is to keep the wearer warm. However, if it doesn’t fit properly, it won’t be able to keep you warm. It’s not only that a tight-fitting wetsuit is more comfortable, but it can also lower the risk of developing a wetsuit rash, which is what this article is all about. Chafing can be reduced by a well-fitting wetsuit. Wetsuit folds can rub against your skin, so be aware of them. You prevent friction by eliminating the creases. This, however, does not guarantee success.
Keep an Eye on the “Seams” Of Your Wetsuit
The wetsuit’s neoprene material isn’t the cause. Rather, the rash is often caused by the wetsuit’s internal seams. They are the most likely places to develop rashes because of the way they are sewn together. Make sure the seams in the region of your wetsuit that are pushing against your skin aren’t chafing. There may be lumpy or raised seams, loose or damaged tape, degraded joints, or fractured welds on the surface. Water leaks and wetsuit allergies are less frequent if your wetsuit has fewer seams (it has a few panels of neoprene).
Get a Surfer Wetsuit
It’s important to note that a wetsuit designed exclusively for surfing should be used. A scuba diving wetsuit differs from a surfing wetsuit. It is possible that wearing a sport-specific wetsuit will improve your performance. A surfing wetsuit can reduce chafing as it has been designed to be more flexible and agile at the expense of insulation. A scuba wetsuit, on the other hand, places a higher value on insulation, but it is also more rigid and less stretchy than a surfing wetsuit.
Apply Petroleum Jelly on Your Skin
You can prevent chafing rashes by applying a lubricant to the affected area. Vaseline is the most widely used product. However, others exist, such as BodyGlide. These items are available in small, portable forms for ease of mobility. In addition, they may be used for a wide range of activities apart from surfing, including jogging, cycling, hiking, and triathlons, to mention a few. They’re simple to use, last for a long time, and work effectively.
Wear a Rashguard
It’s better to wear a rashguard and leggings or compression shorts rather than a wetsuit if the temperature is warm enough. Skin irritations and the damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun are all prevented by wearing one of these lightweight, rash-resistant shirts. They do not keep you warm like wetsuits, but they have many other advantages. Wearing them under a wetsuit will help reduce chafing. When it comes to protecting your legs from chafing, you can also wear compression shorts or leggings as well.
Clean Your Wetsuit Properly
Wetsuits should be rinsed with fresh water after each use. Also, hang the suit in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight, using wetsuit racks. Allow it to dry, then store away properly. To avoid wetsuit rash, you must thoroughly clean your suit, and not simply because of the seams pressing against your skin. If your skin is irritated by saltwater, you should avoid it. Mold development can be triggered by even a small amount of moisture. In addition, if you pee on it and haven’t washed it, it will rapidly become stinking, unhygienic, and cause a rash on your skin.
How To Stop and Treat Wetsuit Rash
To avoid or mitigate the severity of wetsuit rashes, there are a few simple steps you may take. These include:
- Apply an anti-chafe cream
- Use a rashguard, leggings, or compression shorts
- Switch to a softer type of wetsuit
- Apply Vaseline or a healing ointment like the one used to treat diaper rashes to cure wetsuit rash
In addition, to allow the rash to heal, you should refrain from surfing for a few days. Skin toughening takes time, so don’t worry if you still have rashes after that. Later on, your skin would gradually heal and toughen so you won’t struggle with rashes again. However, until then and even after, you should continue to follow these guidelines to keep yourself rash-free.
