Help! My Helmet is Giving me a Rash!

[Celeritas]

I did a search through the other stanky helmet threads, but my situation seems to be a bit different.

Over the last month or so, I’ve been getting a nasty rash on my forehead from my helmet. I get this stripe right across my forehead, and it’s red and bumpy and scaly. After a few days it dries out and flakes off… gross I know (where’s the vomit icon?). I have really sensitive skin to begin with, and have allergies year-round, and it almost seems like exczema, but it’s not really itchy. And it’s only happening after I ride, and it’s gone a few days later (I only get to ride 1-2 days a week).

At first I thought it was just because my helmet was dirty and stinky. I washed it out as best I could- spot cleaned with a rag and some Dawn (I don’t want to soak it since it’s a GPA and the label says not to), and I’ve been using liners since washing it out.

I’m thinking that maybe it’s a heat rash or something, since my forehead isn’t coming into contact w/ the nastyness anymore, just a clean liner. I’ve been putting hydrocortozone on it, which doesn’t really seem to help. I also thought that maybe it’s some kind of fungus, and used a lotramin-type cream for a few days (without the hydrocortozone), but that didn’t help either.

So… has anyone ever had something similar happen? Any other theories as to what it may be? I’m getting really grossed out.

[ChocoMare]

Probably a contact allergy to the latex, rubber or plastics chemicals.

[Donkey]

A couple of suggestions from a fellow sensitive skin sufferer - try wrapping your head in a scarf or bandana before putting on your helmet or try one of the skull cap/beanie style hats that hockey players use under their helmets (if you typically sweat a lot they really keep your hair dry). like this http://www.sportsunlimitedinc.com/unarskulcap.html

Or try putting a barrier cream on your forehead before putting on your helmet and then wiping it off when you remove it. I don’t have a problem with my helmet (knock on wood) but for other allergy contact skin irritations I use a heavier duty hand cream (like herbacin) as a layer of protection between my skin and the clothing article and it usually stops my skin irritations from occurring.

[Carrera]

Same thing happens to me too. After about the 6 month mark of owning a helmet, I have to replace it. It gets expensive after a while…

There isn’t anything that I can pin the reaction on.

[Rayman421]

I had the EXACT same problem when I used my old velveteen (show) helmet. I bought a new Troxel and don’t seem to have that problem anymore. I used everything I could think of too- from creams to cleaners for the helmet. Replacing the helmet was the only solution.

Since I only do pleasure riding anymore, a schooling helmet is fine for me, but I find I do have to replace it every 2-3 years which I suppose you should anyway…

[Celeritas]

Hmm, interesting replies. My helmet is only about 2.5 years old, so the thought of having to replace my GPA makes me want to cry… almost as much as the thought of wearing a bandana over my hunter hair :sadsmile:

Donkey, what about something like Desitin? I’m thinking regular creams or face lotions might be absorbed into my skin too quickly (it’s really dry too, on top of sensitive and rejecting my helmet).

But I’m glad to know I’m not the only one with freak skin out there!

[fxhillfarm]

helmet

The exact same thing happened to me a few months ago!

I got a new GR8 about a year ago and it was starting to get smell over the summer so i sprayed some of the charles owen helmet desmellifier in it and it gave me an exzema like rash. it didnt itch but i still had to go to school with it:no:

i figured it was from the spray stuff mixing with something in the new charles owen and my skin reacted to it? i dont even have sensitive skin!

i just kept my face extra clean and remembered not to put anything in the helmet again!

[Bearhunter]

I am having the same issue right now. My CO is about a year old. I have tried all the creams and nothing is working yet (I use a pantyliner and it helps a bit) but will probably replace my helmet soon.

[Dakotawyatt]

I had this problem as well, and what actually worked for me was to clean the liner REALLY well, and then sprayed it with Lysol. I’m guessing it was some sort of microbe, and the Lysol killed it. I don’t know, maybe worth a try?

[Sparky_Boy]

No rash but I have a GPA that makes my head itch. No clue why. I don’t use it anymore.

[Personal_Champ]

Any Charles Owen helmet product gives me the EXACT same thing. I’ve used the cleaner and the deodorizer (are they the 2), and it’s totally gross. I was never able to get it out of the helmet that I used it in and ended up getting a new helmet.

The new sport spray stuff for helmets is better - all natural and doesn’t give me the scales!!

[Celeritas]

Bumping this up again beacuse I experimented last night and I think I found something that works!

I put a thick layer of Desitin all over my forehead before putting my helmet on (post-hairnet, with a fresh liner)… and no rash!! I used the original super thick stuff, and it stayed on really well (although to be fair it was 20 degrees, so no worries about it sweating off). I just wiped it off with a paper towel when I removed my helmet, and washed my face when I got home. No rash, no scales, nothing. It itched a little bit, but what a huge improvement!

So I’d recommend all you other rashy types to try this as well. It was like a Christmas miracle!

[Vandy]

No advice, but I just had to comment - I misread your original thread title as “Help! My Helmet is giving me a Rush!” And I immediately thought, it must be too tight on your head :lol: :lol:

[ArabianMagic1011]

I’ve got the same problem… not sure if it’s from blocked sweat ducts or contact dermitis with the helmet. It used to happen just with my Charles Owen, but even my Troxel is doing it now My dermatologist is at a loss as to why it’s happening and just prescribed a cream to treat it. I’m going to try the Desitin cream as a barrier as someone recommended above.

[demidq]

ten year old thread. Are we going for a record?

[pluvinel]

@demidq

ten year old thread. Are we going for a record?

I don’t know how these old threads get bumped up, but I have to say I have found this one useful. I have started to develop a rash at the back of my head & neck that I have not idea where it came from.

Interestingly, I have a CO helmet. I would never have thought about the helmet if not for this thread.