I’ve been doing a little more swimming lately and I’m starting to have some chafing on my shoulder where it contacts my cheek after a breath. I only breath on my left side and my left shoulder is the only one with this problem. It’s almost starting to scab. I swim with a masters group in the evenings and have stubble by then if I shave in the morning.
Does anyone else have this problem?
Might be a sign you’re crossing over.
Body glide before, and lotion after until the skin is healed up? I used to get chafing in my armpits and it usually resolved itself over time. Not swimming as much any more so I haven’t had the need recently.
You’re probably crossing over and breathing late.
I have a tendency to do the same thing. It’s one of the main things I’m working on in practice
Maybe you need a shave??
I’ve been doing a little more swimming lately and I’m starting to have some chafing on my shoulder where it contacts my cheek after a breath. I only breath on my left side and my left shoulder is the only one with this problem. It’s almost starting to scab. I swim with a masters group in the evenings and have stubble by then if I shave in the morning. Does anyone else have this problem?
I had this problem a few yrs ago and solved it by looking back when I breath, e.g. instead of looking straight out at the lane rope or side of pool, look back at the side of the pool behind you. Obv you don’t want to lift your head but rather just angle your chin back a bit, kind of like Popeye in those old spinach commercials. 
I did when I swam more … like others have pointed out it was probably a technique issue as I always breathe on my right side. I used Vaseline during swimming and post swimming … did the trick to stop my skin from chafing and also get it to heal more quickly when I used it afterwards.
I swim with a masters group in the evenings and have stubble by then if I shave in the morning.
Then your shaving technique leaves much to be desired. Shave correctly and with the right tools, you won’t have stubble in the evening.
Seriously. Not pink.
I second the vaseline.
My armpit get chafed between my triceps and latisimus. This tends to go away as I get to race weight.
I get it on the same side as i breath but it is not during my breath that it scrubs but during the reach on my non breathing stroke… maybe i am reaching over a bit but i always have some stubble on my chin with a small goatee or vandyke however you want to call it.
I used to have this too. As others have said, it was a technique issue. If I recall correctly a combination of looking back, timing, not crossing over and getting full rotation. I don’t think it was just one thing with me that necessarily fixed it.
Interesting. I definitely have a cross over. If this is it, I should be thankful for such a strong cue