What is chafing?
Chafing occurs when the skin rubs against clothing, equipment, or other skin, often resulting in sore, red marks or rashes, and sometimes cuts or friction burns that may bleed and scab over time, depending on the severity. This condition is common among runners and those training in gear such as packs or weighted vests.
Most common areas of chafing for women:
A study found that 35.7% of runners, both men and women, who ran over 40 miles per week experienced nipple chafing. This issue can largely be prevented by wearing soft, properly fitted clothing and keeping the area dry. However, under-breast chafing can lead to Intertrigo, an infection caused by Candida yeast, which is also responsible for Athlete's Foot. Intertrigo is common in women, with primary symptoms including soreness, discomfort, split skin, spots, itching, and discharge, as illustrated below.
It is recommended to treat under-breast chafing with over-the-counter medications and skin barrier creams or ointments. However, these treatments only address the issue after it has occurred and do not prevent chafing. To effectively solve the problem, we must focus on its root cause, which is often the use of inadequate sports bras.
How improper and inadequate sports bras cause chafing:
Royal United Hospitals Bath advises women to “wear a good, well-fitting and supportive bra” to avoid Intertrigo. Sports bras that are too loose allow excessive breast movement, leading to increased nipple chafing. Materials like cotton and linen are not recommended because they become damp and heavier when combined with sweat, increasing friction. Furthermore, thick and rigid seams in sports bras can irritate the skin and cause pain, as can any exposed closures made of metal or plastic.
The solution:
Preventing breast and nipple chafing requires a sports bra made to move with you. Your sports bra should include:
- Supportive and comfortable breathable fabric
- Adjustable straps and underband for a perfect fit
- Antibacterial treatment to kill bacteria
- Built-in nipple protection
The Tigers Eye sports bra ticks all of these boxes (and more)! Banish breast and nipple chaffing once and for all and get back to what you love, pain free.
“Before wearing the Tigers Eye I wore bralettes, and I had the issue that the bra wouldn't really stick to my skin. It would move and that would cause chafing. I ran my first 10k of the season wearing the Tigers Eye sports bra. It stayed put the entire time and did not move, there was no chafing at all!” -June
“This sports bra makes me feel like I could actually run like I was six years old again! There was something so liberating about having zero bounce! I was impressed how well it kept me from bouncing! I’ve never been able to jump around like that.” - Lynne
Our sports bra was developed in collaboration with Veterans and breast health experts, utilizing the latest research in breast biomechanics and bra science. To ensure the Tigers Eye sports bra offers the highest level of comfort and support possible, it was rigorously tested both in the University of Portsmouth's world-leading laboratory and in the field and on deployment by Active-duty military Servicewomen.
Check it out today, by clicking here.