Skin breakouts from heart rate monitor strap?

Every time I wear my HRM strap I end up with red itchiness under my boobage. I have both the hard uncomfortable cheap polar strap and the nicer wearlink strap. The problem is actually worse with the wearlink which is brand new. I noticed it's worse when I wear it for more than just an hour, for example I've worn it overnight a few times to see what was going on at night. I've been handwashing it after each use.

I can't quite figure out if it's a contact sensitivity or a ventilation issue. I've applied a zinc-based diaper cream to sooth the area afterwards, but don't know if it's ok to put that kind of cream underneath the electrodes.

Has anyone else had this problem? Can anything be done?


-Dianyla, whose big ol' sweaty boobs probably aren't helping the situation much

it sounds like heat rash - probably due to a ventilation issue I'm guessing? You might try something like Vit AD ointment, it's clearer and great for diaper rash and it may not interfere with the electrodes since they use something like for those heart thingys right?

Never had the like, I have the wear link... perhaps the wear link's fabric absorbs detergent and irritates your skin... try shower gel or shampoo?

I get a mild form of what you're experiencing, dry & chaffed, a little itchy. I've assumed its from either lack of ventilation or not having it on tight enough so the slight movement rubs it. I use Califlora (a homeopathic gel or cream) on it and it clears up. The gel form is easier to find and they both absorb really well so they shouldn't interfere with the performance.

I've seen sports bras advertised which include a pocket for the HRM sensor. Might be less iritating that a strap if the bra fits you. Personally, I can't stand anything tight across my chest in that area.

Might you be allergic to the material used in the band? My skin is very sensitive to some things and I would have a reaction similar to what you describe from any type of wool and from some synthetic fabrics.

I got little red itchy bumps on my forehead from my helmet. I read up on acne mechanica and employed the tips this page suggests...

sports acne

but it sounds like you are already doing everything preventive.

I use the softer Polar strap and I get the same rash. I haven't used my hard strap in a long time so I can't say if it also causes this issue, though it didn't in the past. However, I'll admit I'm lazy and don't wash it after each use. Once I wash it, I'm generally rash free. Sometimes, I'll still notice some red bumps, but they don't really itch and go away quickly.

I've got the Polar bra and it doesn't work for me. At least, not for the purpose intended...as a boob holder, it's great, but the band intended to hold the strap doesn't hold it tight enough against me to pick up my heart rate.

Ok, so I have no real solution for you. Just wanted you to know it happens to me, too.

Don't have that problem but my skin isn't that sensitive unless it's undies washed in Cheer or Tide near the nether regions. Ouch!

I like this stuff.........

http://www.buttpaste.com/images/splashLogo.jpg

How about putting the cream you would use for your nethers onto the line where the HRM strap sits, BEFORE you ride...

Then the Vit A or E creams afterwards if still needed...

Good luck

Also try a high strength cortisone cream and see if that works (I use Cortaid). I get this alot from my HRM strap, on my chest from contact with sweaty clothes after a ride, and also from my (helmet) chin straps on my jaw. I have found the cort cream to be the only thing that works for me but you have to keep using it....

Thank you all for your input. I am going to conduct a few experiments. The first one I am doing today is that I put some miconazole (anti-yeast) cream under just one boob and not under the other. :o

Dianyla - I don't know about a rash, but I get pretty yucky chafe under my HR strap - I have the older kind as well as the new polar one, and they both give me chafe. I've started putting body glide around the entire area where the strap touches skin, and its really helped. Good luck, I hope you find something to clear it up.

The plastic could be made with some chemical that is bothersome. And be sure you are washing the strap if you are having problems with that. I wsh my strap in the washer and the electrode with soap and water fairly often. That seems to help.