Some Health Issues that Can Affect Running – Part Two: Skin Irritations
Some Health Issues that Can Affect Runners – Part Two: Skin Irritations
In our last post, we discussed the important of nutrition in regards to running. There are a variety of other issues to keep in mind, some minor and some extremely serious, that can affect your running experience, but are generally treatable.
Other Treatable Issues
Bloody Nipples
Bloody nipples are a delicate topic, yet is one that’s all too common for runners. Primarily affecting men, this symptom is caused when nipples continuously rub against their shirt; the end result can be extremely painful, which can lead to bleeding and chaffing. Protective measures can range from using bandaids which can protect the nipples from any contact, to wearing a shirt made from a synthetic material (which tends to be less abrasive) as opposed to cotton. As a precautionary measure, products such as Doc’s All Natural Chafe Stick™ works as a barrier against chaffing, not just for nipples, but other areas such as thighs and feet.
Black Toenail
If you’ve ever had the irritating sensation of your toes rubbing against the front of your shoe, you’re not alone. Black Toenail is where a blood blister can form underneath your toenails, all of which is caused by this nagging rubbing inside the shoe. Once the blisters form, they have no room to breathe and they become incredibly painful. As it takes a while to heal, you can actually run the risk of losing your toenail as a result. Don’t mess with your toes if this should happen to you; the pain will eventually subside after a day or two, but if it doesn’t improve, be sure to see a doctor. You can avoid black toenail entirely if you think ahead and get a good pair of shoes that fit your feet properly, as well as durable wicking socks, that will give your feet room to breathe.
Hives and Other Skin Irritations
Your blood flows through capillaries when you exercise, yet if you’re inactive, you can experience symptoms such as itchy legs and hives. Itchy skin is an internal condition, especially if you experience long periods of athletic inactivity. Your capillaries tend to expand when you exercise, yet, if you’re inactive for a period of time, these capillaries have a tendency to collapse, which restricts the flow of blood. This sends signals to the brain, which is often interpreted as an itch. Solving this issue can be helped, not just by exercising every day, but also by using skin creams and moisturizers, such as Doc’s All Natural Saddle Sore Ointment™, which can soothe and heals any kind of skin breakdown.
One very serious issue that affects many runners is Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis. Often considered an allergic reaction, it can lead to symptoms such as low blood pressure, breathing issues, circulatory and gastrointestinal problems. This can be triggered by a range of things such as medications, specific types of food such as nuts, seafood and even dairy. If you have these types of flare ups, avoid exercising on an empty stomach and eating anything that can exacerbate this situation for at least 24 hours. In most cases this is a treatable condition, primarily with the use of a epinephrine injection pen prescribed by a doctor.
As mentioned above, many of these conditions are treatable, so be aware and with a little TLC you should be able to have a long running career.