Help! Sensitive Skin problem. Keeping me out of the pool and out of the saddle. Looking for advice from fellow athletes

Triathlon Forum
1

I’m not referring to some sort of “oh, boo hoo you have a boo boo” metaphorical sensitive skin here, I’m referring to a dermatological condition where the slightest irritation or chafing causes shallow (and sometimes deep) folliculitis. Consistent white pustules that sometimes become very painful, and at any give moment I might have anywhere from 5-10.

I have been to a dermatologist. His help was limited. But, considering that I’m one of those athletic crazies that doesn’t want to give up his sports, I figures that ST would be a forum I might be able to find some practical tips/help from like-minded people.

I have had recurrent, painful (not to mention embarrassing) folliculitis on my legs and groin (much less often, my torso) getting progressively worse over the last year.

I have been shaving my legs religiously for the last 5 years (roadie turned “triathlete”), with the exception of the last four weeks (not at all).

I picked up swimming in earnest about two years ago, getting much more pool time this last year but stopping a few months back because I suspected it might be affecting this condition.

I have pretty dry skin to begin with, and my skin got noticeably dryer when swimming multiple times per week in chlorine.

Pustules seem to show up most frequently in areas that are shaved and/or get abrasions. Examples include inner thigh where cylindrical pull buoy edge comes in contact with skin, where my jeans rub my legs (I have to bike about 3mi to work every day) and where my surf wetsuit meets bottom of my ribcage meets my surfboard when prone (don’t shave there, just trim) and of course, where saddle meets groin (no shaving there).

Soap used: Dial Antibacterial
For the past few months I have also been using hibiclens on my groin area after every ride and every shave, and now every shower (1-2 day).

This last week I switched to a moisturizing soap and have not yet seen improvements (skin feels nicer to the touch, but still having breakouts) but I do not know if this is enough time to “restore” skin? I have also intermittently tried a few skin moisturizers, but I can’t tell if they are helping or harming, or the act of using a topical moisturizer is just spreading the condition around more?

I’m in my late 20’s so I do not suspect some sort of hormonal flux/change to be underlying this.

Has anyone (or anyone you know) had a problem like this before? If so, what helped? What habitual changes were made? What products / treatments were used?

Thanks in advance for any help!
Ryon

2

Think about adding L-Lysine as a supplement. Look it up. It’s kind of the go-to supplement for skin conditions, rashes, canker sores, shingles, ear infections, etc.

3

Neem. Take, wash and moisturize with it.

4

Don’t shave anymore. Try Hibiclens. Folliculitis is caused by bacteria build-up that plugs the pore. Hibiclens kills the bacteria. Use it to clean in the shower, but then also apply it to the specific sites after drying off. Let it dry before putting on your clothes.

5

What do you wash your clothes with?
Do you use dryer sheets?
Might try a different detergent and stop with the dryer sheets.

6

I would take a look at your diet. Sometimes wheat and dairy can wreak havoc on skin–maybe there is a connection. Also, look at your cleaning and personal hygiene items. Switch to natural products. I’m guess that some or all of those changes might help. I have really sensitive skin and contact dermatitis which cleared up after I made these changes

7

Don’t shave anymore. Try Hibiclens. Folliculitis is caused by bacteria build-up that plugs the pore. Hibiclens kills the bacteria. Use it to clean in the shower, but then also apply it to the specific sites after drying off. Let it dry before putting on your clothes.

Yes! Stop shaving. I have all manner of problems when I shave my legs. Ingrown hairs, foliculitis, the works. Stopped shaving and no more ouchy boo boos. If it’s good enough for Andy Potts, it’s good enough for me!

8

Have you tried a bleach bath? I use about 1/2 cup of bleach to a full bathtub. Soak for 5-10 minutes and do this several times per week. This has helped me significantly. It’s a cheap and easy fix that doesn’t require a trip to the doctor. My dermatologist is a huge fan.

Like you, I also struggled with a similar problem around the areas I shaved. I ended up limiting my shaving areas, using a new razor weekly and using Clyndamycin lotion on the areas I had just shaved. That got rid of the folliculitis. At the time I struggled with folliculitis I wasn’t taking bleach baths so I’m not sure it’s impact on this problem. I use the bleach baths to deal with my ongoing eczema and related skin infections.

Good luck.

9

“Anti-bacterial” soap is an oxymoron. I would get a sevond opinion from another dermatologist to rule out a serious bacterial infection.

10

What do you wash your clothes with?
Do you use dryer sheets?
Might try a different detergent and stop with the dryer sheets.

That’s what I was thinking. Could be a problem with chlorine, too. Might look at a shower filter (i.e. a KDF or vitamin C filter). Also, with washing clothes, use distilled white vinegar for as fabric softener; its PH is opposite of soap, so it helps to rinse away the detergent rather than just add more ‘stuff’ like off-the-shelf softener. You can use 1/4 tsp ascorbic acid in the beginning of the wash to neutralize the chlorine/ammonia in city water, and then vinegar for the softener.

Edit - this stuff too (the swim spray):
http://www.slowtwitch.com/Products/Headstrong_and_SwimSpray_3454.html