[pct-l] rash in groin area

[dsaufley at sprynet.com]

I've learned a lot about chafing by osmosis -- we've seen a fair amount of it through Hiker Heaven. Chafing may seem like such a minor thing, but it can be a trip ender if not taken care of, and we've seen it go into secondary infection requiring antibiotics.   

While I'm a big fan of Desitin for rashes, sometimes chafing is from the skin actually rubbing raw from repetitive motion, which is different from a rash.

Staying clean and bacteria free is indeed important.  There are new microbial fabrics out there that aid in this effort.  Wearing fabric that wicks moisture away, similar to bike shorts, is also helpful.  Under Armor has some great options reasonably priced, without the bike seat padding.  

Once serious chafing sets in, rest, air, and exposure to sunlight are natural and effective cures. Trying to get hikers to sit still is the hard part. 

L-Rod
Infirmary Supervisor

-----Original Message-----
>From: matt maxon <matt at mattmaxon.com>
>Sent: Mar 19, 2007 7:07 AM
>To: Pea Hicks <phix at optigan.com>
>Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
>Subject: Re: [pct-l] rash in groin area
>
>As everyone has said this is a difficult problem to pin down....
>
>I personally use Desitin, it is messy / smelly but it works.
>
>I have concluded "hikers rash"  is similar  to "diaper rash" and the 
>mechanisms are similar in origin and action.
>
>With hikers rash the sweat and heat react along with bacteria  to  
>sensitize the  area  then chafing  abrading  further  irritates  the  
>nether  regions . This can be very uncomfortable to say the least.
>
>But that said all the classic treatments for diaper rash should work 
>with hikers rash
>Keep the area dry and clean
>
>But not so dry as to promote irritation from chafing, this is certainly 
>a fine line and depends on the individual
>
>Hope I didn't rub anyone the wrong way with this.....
>
>Have Fun.. Be safe
>Trail90
>
>Pea Hicks wrote:
>> i tried all sorts of things, and ultimately never came up with a 
>> reliable solution. not even vagisil worked, though it was worth carrying 
>> for the comic relief, if not the pain relief! eventually i gave up 
>> trying to fight it altogether, and found that over the course of my 
>> thru-hike, rashes would just sort of come and go. i might get chafed for 
>> a couple days, but then it would go away and i'd be fine for a week or 
>> so, then maybe get another rash for a day or two, etc. i just learned to 
>> live with it.
>>
>> having said that, my friend ken marlow just sent me this:
>>
>> **********
>> Somehow (I think it was through Dave Horton's PCT Run and DVD) I came 
>> across raceready.com and the ultramarathon tight shorts that he uses. 
>> RaceReady uses a fabric that's called Dryline. Some product discription 
>> said  it 'aggressively' draws moisture out. I've tried a LOT of 
>> different wicking fabrics...and given I perspire heavily...I've never 
>> really been impressed, until this stuff. DAMN!  I got 'em for the 
>> Yosemite to Donner Summit hike, and they were friggen amazing. After a 
>> full day of hiking, when the shorts weren't dry yet, the outside was 
>> always substantially damp and the inside feeling dry and totally 
>> comfortable. I wear ExOfficio or Patagonia boxer briefs under them for 
>> the usual sanitary reasons. These shorts are totally amazing. The only 
>> Dryline (did a major web search) fabric in shorts was only available as 
>> a tight short and RaceReady, the only place that makes Dryline shorts. I 
>> used to run a lot of road races and have used several brands and fabric 
>> combos of tight shorts before...but none of them wicked well.
>> **********
>>
>>
>> girlscout
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