I started running when I was in middle school. It was originally a way for me to stay in shape until soccer season started in the spring. It didn’t take long until I became addicted to the runner’s high and fell in love with running outdoors. I used it as a way to relieve stress and that habit stayed with me throughout high school, college, and PA school. Over the years of long-distance running, I have worked through many different problems that arose which were directly related to this activity. Some were muscle or joint-related issues, but a lot of problems were skin issues. I later learned that a lot of these skin issues were common skin conditions experienced by runners.
Learning how to adapt and treat my own skin conditions as a runner allows me to have a better understanding when it comes to treating athletes. Several common conditions regularly come up for this population of patients and for many other athletes. I decided since they are so common I would outline them in an article for anyone that needs a quick resource to reference. Without further ado let’s dive into the top 8 frustrating skin problems that runners and other athletes experience, and of course what to do about them when they arise.
Recommended: Over the Counter Ringworm Treatment Versus Prescription Medications
Skin conditions experienced by runners on the body
Acne
Most people consider acne a hormonal problem that primarily affects the face. It is also common to get acne on the trunk for example on your shoulders, chest, back, and buttocks. This is especially common among runners and athletes in general. If you are occluding the skin with clothing specifically tight clothing such as spandex, then the pores will become clogged. This combined with sweat is a perfect formula for creating acne.
Things you can do to minimize and treat the condition. 1. Wear loose clothing when possible. 2. shower immediately after working out. 3. use an antibacterial body wash such as benzoyl peroxide when showering. My favorite is Panoxyl which is over the counter. Be careful as benzoyl peroxide can bleach clothing, sheets, and towels, so make sure to dry off with a white towel!
Chafing
Chafing is one of the most common skin conditions experienced by runners. You can experience chafing anywhere skin rubs. This could be between the thighs, under the arms, and even between your buttocks. My favorite way to treat chafing is by preventing it in the first place. When you can, wear clothing that will prevent skin from rubbing. Also, invest in a skin barrier product such as Body Glide. Body Glide is one of my favorite products and it does absolutely wonders. I always use it on my thighs whenever I run in shorts! Another trick is to apply a thin layer of Vaseline to the affected areas before and after to help soothe any irritated skin.
Fungal infections
Tinea corporis more commonly known as ringworm and tinea versicolor are skin conditions that I see and treat regularly. While anyone can get these fungal infections, they are particularly common among people who tend to sweat a lot. This could be from simply standing outside in the summer heat or, in the case of this article, being a runner.
Fortunately, there are over-the-counter treatment options you can turn to to solve the problem. Mind you it can sometimes take 6 or more weeks for it to completely clear. You can pick up Clotrimazole cream over the counter in the athlete’s foot aisle (more on that later) and also use an anti-dandruff shampoo such as Nizarol (topical ketoconazole 1%) as a body wash where you are experiencing the rash. When washing with the anti-dandruff shampoo make sure to leave on for 5-10 minutes prior to rinsing for the best efficacy.
Intertrigo
Intertrigo is a term for inflammation in areas of skin folds. Multiple things can cause intertrigo and the two more common causes we have already discussed, which include chafing and the overgrowth of yeast on the skin. Overgrowth of yeast on the skin stems from moisture being trapped in skin fold areas without proper ventilation. It can also be treated with Nizarol and clotrimazole.
Skin conditions experienced by runners on the feet
Athlete’s foot
The medical term for athlete’s foot is tinea pedis. Remember tinea corporis and tinea versicolor? Tinea pedis is similar but is specific to the feet. Although sometimes when bad enough it can start working its way up your ankles. You can treat it the same way as other fungal infections. Another very important key to the treatment of tinea pedis is making sure you are not sitting around with sweaty socks! Sometimes applying a drying powder to your socks is necessary to prevent the infection from recurring. I personally like either Gold Bond or Zeasorb.
Nail trauma
In dermatology, we also treat nail disorders. Trauma to the nails is almost undoubtedly going to happen at some point in a long-distance runner’s journey. When the nail turns black you can anticipate that it will over time fall off. Let it happen on its own and don’t try to help it along. Once it does the skin underneath may be a little tender. I recommend toe sleeves that you can find over the counter to protect the delicate skin from further trauma.
Blisters
Similar to nail trauma, blisters on the feet are exceptionally common in runners. It is typically due to ill-fitted shoes or repetitive friction to the area. Make sure your socks have some cushion to them. If you know of specific spots on the feet that tend to rub and be trouble spots for you then consider applying body glide or gel inserts to help cushion the area. Moleskin is also very helpful for areas that have blistered or to prevent blisters from forming. I would advise against popping blisters unless you have a very painful one and need to relieve the pressure. Whatever you do, do not take the skin off the top.
Corns
Corns or calluses occur in areas of the feet due to continued pressure. Typically they arise from ill-fitted shoes and changing your footwear may help solve the problem. Other times they are constantly there, aggravating you. They do make corn pads which you can purchase over the counter. They can be very helpful in relieving the pressure. You may also want to consider using a pumice stone to remove the upper layer of thick skin daily or as needed. Since corns can sometimes be painful, this trick will help with the discomfort.
Final thoughts
There are a lot of skincare issues that can arise when we put our bodies through strenuous activities such as long-distance running. The good news is a lot of the aforementioned conditions can be prevented. One very important thing not mentioned in this article is the importance of using sunscreen and other sun-protective clothing such as hats when running. Prevention of skin cancer is extremely important for anyone that spends a lot of time outdoors!
Have you experienced any other skin conditions due to running? I would love to add anything I may have forgotten to the list. Please share below in the comments!
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer. Information on this website is for education and entertainment purposes only. Content is my opinion. It is not substituted for your own doctor’s medical care or advice. One should not make any health or medical-related decisions based in whole or in part on any content on this site. Content is not intended to replace the services of a licensed, trained health professional. Content may not apply to you as an individual. Although I will update my website with current information, this website is not a definitive guide to dermatology.
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