Surfing Waves

Hey guys I need a little help here, during a 4 hour session yesterday on the 3rd hour I started to feel really bad pain on my back from my wetsuit so I pulled off the top and tied it behind my back and finished my session then got a nipple rash and went home with both back and nipple pain
The rash on my back is pretty bad, it bleeds very slightly after a session then it hurts for 2 days before healing
Is there anything I can sow/attach to my wetsuit to stop it from rashing me, I get rashes in the follow places:
Shoulder near arm, side of biceps (close to the arm pit) and side of my pec muscles (close to the arm pit) <- all the rashes happen specifically around the arm pits
PS: Vaseline and bandages did not work
Was the $170 wetsuit a terrible investment and I should go buy something else or is there any way I can make it not hurt me anymore

Move to Hawaii?

oldmansurfer wrote:Move to Hawaii?

u mean it has to do with sea?

He means you don't need a wetsuit in Hawaii.

oldmansurfer wrote:Move to Hawaii?

I wish.
Can't afford going to Hawaii, costs way too much to get there let alone live there, plus it's hot all year round so there goes half of my closet

DreamSurf wrote:

oldmansurfer wrote:Move to Hawaii?

u mean it has to do with sea?

Yeah, the water temperature is high enough that you don't need to wear a wetsuit. I have used a wetsuit scuba diving but those are kind of optional also for me. Back when I paipo boarded I used a wetsuit but I didn't get it for helping me stay warm, I got it to help keep me from being injured by my paipo board. I used to go out in fairly big surf and would get slammed in the chest or abdomen by my wooden paipo board and get small injuries that would hamper my paipo boarding. The old style beaver tail wetsuit was the only one I could find on the island but it worked well then it was only my legs getting injured once in a while but that I could handle.

icetime,
I wish I could suggest a solution for you. Many members in my family are allergic to common materials. The worst is my sister's allergy to latex. Latex tubing left a scare on her face following a dental procedure. Therefore, you have my deepest empathy. In the meantime, I'll try to think of something.
billie

One thing not so obvious, is a wetsuit needs to be wet. It needs a thin layer of water trapped between your body and neoprene to keep you warm. ALSO that water keeps the material from chaffing your skin. I used to get bad neck rash, so now the first thing I do is splash water on my neck as I paddle out. Notice all the rash is happening on the upper body not lower, so it shouldn't be allergy. I think it's just basic friction. So you can :
1) Get a inner rash guard
2) wipe out more to flush and lubricate the inside of the wetsuit.
Question: what type of seams ?
FL - flat lock
GBS - glued and blind stitched
Overlock - I hope you don't have that type

I also suggest an inner rash guard. A tight rash vest or 'skins'. Like hikers, runners and the army know, two pairs of socks can help prevent blisters.

Also getting rashes near the armpit sounds like the suit it's either too tight or too loose in that area and is rubbing. An inner vest will help there as well

Have you switched to a different wetsuit? Have you changed the way you wash it (or not washing it)? Has the ocean water quality change recently (pollutant, microscopic orgasms, etc.) Identifying the cause would help figure out the plan of action. Meanwhile assuming it wasn't the water quality I'd suggest a tight fitting rashie as well.

I always ALWAYS, wear a rash vest underneath it no matter what. Sometimes I also wear a rash pants (tights) lol. It makes life so much easier to get in and out of the wetsuit.

Hey billie, the rash isn't caused by an allergy though I am allergic to wool , it's specifically from the movement of the suit on my back.
Everyone seems to be suggesting a rash guard underneath my westuit, only surf shop nearby is ripcurl, anything you guys would suggest specifically (how tight etc)?

It's always nice to have it "tight".

Actually I don't think it matters so much. If the wetsuit is slightly bigger, you will find that you're sliding inside the wetsuit! Can be annoying but you get used to it after 5-10 minutes.

waikikikichan wrote:One thing not so obvious, is a wetsuit needs to be wet. It needs a thin layer of water trapped between your body and neoprene to keep you warm. ALSO that water keeps the material from chaffing your skin. I used to get bad neck rash, so now the first thing I do is splash water on my neck as I paddle out. Notice all the rash is happening on the upper body not lower, so it shouldn't be allergy. I think it's just basic friction. So you can :
1) Get a inner rash guard
2) wipe out more to flush and lubricate the inside of the wetsuit.
Question: what type of seams ?
FL - flat lock
GBS - glued and blind stitched
Overlock - I hope you don't have that type

Glue and stitches from what I can tell, definitely not overlock, I'm going to head to te surf shop and get my self a nicely fitting rashguard, I'll update you guys when I'm back

Got the rashguard and some wax, hopefully this is the end of the rashing, I also hope this thing won't make me overheat inside my wetsuit and have to fill it with water regularly
Banz, my wesuit is a perfect fit so the rashguard should be glud to me and not move that much