How to prevent wetsuit skin abrasion and rash?

[armantas]

Hey everyone,

I have sensitive skin and, when I surf often, I get skin abrasion from wetsuit rubbing in a few spots. It's getting painful and annoying, to the point that I have to wait and heal the abrasions before I can go back to surfing.

- Does any of you use some balm or a rash-guard under the wetsuit that helps?

The areas that are affected for me are 1) behind the left knee, towards the inner thigh and 2) front side of right shoulder. These are also the areas were my wetsuit is just slightly more loose than elsewhere. It's otherwise a good/tight fit. The wetsuit probably stretched out after prolonged use, I'm 6'2 195 lbs and wear an LT Rip Curl flash bomb. I imagine this has also to do with the way I move/surf, as otherwise I would have this issue on both sides.

Thanks!

[tomthetreeman]

https://www.bodyglide.com/product/body/

[waikikikichan]

I get skin abrasion from wetsuit rubbing in a few spots.

The answer lies in the word " WETsuit ". I used to get bad rash around my neck from the neoprene. So I started to realize it was because dry material rubbing on my dry skin. So now immediately when I get in the ocean, I splash my neck with water.
Especially with the Flashbomb material which dries so quickly, you may want to give the suit a flush of water in the parking lot.

[armantas]

I used to get bad rash around my neck from the neoprene. So I started to realize it was because dry material rubbing on my dry skin. So now immediately when I get in the ocean, I splash my neck with water.
Especially with the Flashbomb material which dries so quickly, you may want to give the suit a flush of water in the parking lot.

Thanks waikikikichan, I will try this also. For me, the problem occurs around the knee and shoulder area though. I have ordered BodyGlide following tomthetreeman suggestion, hopefully it will solve my issue.

- Does having a rash guard under the wetsuit help?

[dtc]

If bodyglide doesn’t work, you can try a tight rash vest under the wetsuit - only good for shoulder area and a bit annoying, but if it keeps you surfing

I’m impressed you fit into a LT. I’m 6’3 and 185lb and need an XL.

[armantas]

So BodyGlide worked very well and solved my problem! Thanks guys.
I'm surprised it works so well, since there is no notable layer after putting it on and it's not greasy at all.

[Silvery]

Body glide worked for me last year when the back zip wetsuit goudged a grove in the back of my neck, my summer and winter are both now chest entries which doesn't seem to cause the problem.

[kookRachelle]

I love Body Glide, and I also love Belly Jelly for preventing rashes and chafes. I don't have many issues but my friends do. If you have sensitive skin, I'd avoid peeing in your wetsuit if you can. In the winter, I use a silicone "personal lubricant" (teehee) called Pjur on my body before gliding into my 5/4. It also helps keep me warm. People laugh but I swear it helps so much!

[abragred]

I really struggled with this in the past as I've always had sensitive skin. I've spent my childhood near the ocean so I became a pretty good swimmer on my own and I've always found it to be calming for me, would always go for a swim after a stressful day. I took an interest in scuba diving and got all my certifications and also started studying marine biology during this time. I'd spend all my afternoons in the water, but I'd get these bad rashes everywhere, and then the doctor would require me to stay away from salted water for a few weeks until they were gone. I used all kinds of creams and pills anti-rashes, but no result whatsoever from neither one of them. I got a new wetsuit for my birthday from a friend and observed that I went for two whole months without rashes. Sure enough, after a few other tries, it was because of the wetsuit. I have no idea how I never thought of it, but I'm glad good quality producers exist, like the one from where I get all my suits now. Never changing the companies again.

[Banana]

FWIW, I asked a tech at O'Neill:

The reply:

I'm skeptical, but that's what O'Neill said.

[SurfinApache]

FWIW, I asked a tech at O'Neill:

$matches[2]

The reply:

Screen Shot 2020-12-11 at 2.14.54 PM.jpg

I'm skeptical, but that's what O'Neill said.

I'd disagree with the O'Neill rep (I can't actually believe I'm saying this). Both TriSlide and Body Glide are products that are designed to used with wetsuits. I'm currently using the same wetsuit that I've been wearing for close to 8 years that I've used Body Glide with every time I've put it on, no ill effects, neoprene is in good shape and all the welds are still solid.