Train hard and keep your skin healthy, in and out of the gym

January 7, 2025

Minimize discomfort from skin irritations and maximize your performance with this comprehensive guide

For those of us dedicated to fitness, skin irritations are a familiar issue— especially after a break! You’re finally hitting your stride again, feeling stronger and more energized than ever; but then, a skin rash or infection flares up, forcing you to take an unwanted break from your workouts. It’s frustrating and uncomfortable, but you no longer have to let it derail your progress.

This guide will equip you with the knowledge and tools to tackle those skin challenges head-on. We’ll explore common skin conditions that affect athletes, share prevention tips, and offer effective treatment strategies to keep you performing at your best.

What’s in this guide:

The problem: Understanding skin conditions
Preventing skin conditions: Keeping your skin healthy
Soothing and healing existing conditions: At-home care tips
DuraDerm SPORT: Your new workout partner
Real people, real results: A DuraDerm SPORT testimonial
Skin care for the athletes

The problem: Understanding skin conditions

Whether you’re a seasoned gym goer, a dedicated runner, or a CrossFit athlete, your active lifestyle can make you prone to certain skin conditions. Let’s break down some of the most common:

Chafing: Occurs when skin rubs against skin or clothing, causing irritation and inflammation. Common areas include the inner thighs, groin, underarms, and nipples.
Contact dermatitis: An allergic reaction to something that touches your skin, such as sweat, detergents, or certain materials in workout clothes or equipment. It can cause redness, itching, and even blisters.
Fungal infections: Warm, moist environments like sweaty workout clothes and gym equipment can harbor fungi that lead to infections like athlete’s foot, jock itch, or ringworm.
Acne mechanica: This type of acne is triggered by friction and pressure from workout clothes or equipment, often appearing on the back, shoulders, and chest.
Blisters: These fluid-filled bubbles form due to repeated friction, commonly on the hands and feet.

While all of the above are common and will disrupt your workouts, it’s important to be aware of the more serious skin infections below. These are more prevalent in fitness settings, especially when close contact is maintained or shared equipment is used.

Staph infections: These are caused by staphylococcus bacteria, which are commonly found on the skin. However, when they enter the body through a cut or scrape, they can cause infections ranging from mild to severe.
MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus): This staph infection is resistant to many antibiotics, making it more challenging to treat. It’s important to practice good hygiene and seek medical attention if you suspect a staph or MRSA infection.

The infections above can sometimes become severe and even life-threatening if not treated promptly and properly.

Preventing skin conditions: Keeping your skin healthy

Prevention is your best defense against skin issues. Here are some key strategies:

Cleanliness is key: Shower after workouts, wash your workout clothes regularly and avoid sharing personal items. Wipe down gym equipment before and after use.
Gear up smart: Choose moisture-wicking fabrics and well-fitting clothes. Consider gloves or grips for activities that stress your hands.
Smart habits: Take breaks during long workouts to let your skin breathe; shower with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser after each workout. If you have a skin condition, use antibacterial soap.

Soothing and healing existing conditions: At-home care tips

Even with the best prevention, skin conditions occur. Here are some common ways to address them:

Identify the cause: Understand whether the condition is caused by friction, allergy, or infection and minimize exposure as much as possible.
Gentle cleansing: Clean the affected area with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free cleanser. A cool compress can provide temporary relief from itching or inflammation.
Additional tips: Wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing. Avoid scratching or picking at the area. Maintain good hygiene by showering regularly and washing clothes after use.

DuraDerm SPORT: Your new workout partner

DuraDerm SPORT is a liquid polymer that has many beneficial properties for relieving skin irritations. Once applied to the skin, the liquid immediately begins killing bacteria, viruses, and fungi that may be present. In about 30 seconds the liquid will dry, and a clear protective barrier will seal the area, protecting the skin from germs or dirt.

DuraDerm SPORT has helped heal: blisters, road rash, cuts, abrasions, turf burn, chaffing, and more.

Here’s how:

Preventing infection: Proven to kill a broad spectrum of bacteria, viruses and fungi, including staph and MRSA, on contact.
Promoting healing: The protective barrier creates an optimal healing environment by lowering the pH of the wound, promoting faster recovery.
Minimizes friction: The flexible barrier reduces friction, preventing chafing and blisters while protecting the skin. It is also water-resistant and sweat-proof.
Easy to use during a workout: Simple, single-use applicators are easy to always have on hand. Just snap the stick, apply the liquid and wait 30 seconds for it to dry. Need for additional bandages that may prohibit movement.
Easy to remove or reapply: There’s no need to remove the product before applying more, but if you’d like to remove simply use soap and water.

Real people, real results: A DuraDerm SPORT testimonial

Ultra-endurance runner George Phillips knows the struggles of blisters and skin irritation. He relies on DuraDerm SPORT to protect his feet during grueling 100-mile races. “Before using DuraDerm SPORT, there wasn’t an option that worked for me,” George says. He was looking for “a product that could help serve as a protective barrier that I could use at the start of a first sign of a blister and throughout my training to help prevent and reduce the incidence.”

He found that DuraDerm SPORT “formed an instant film and stayed on during wet conditions.”

Using DuraDerm SPORT during a 100-mile race, George “finished the race without pain and felt significantly less discomfort compared to my previous races.” And for the first time, he did not develop a post-race infection. “I had tremendous success with the product,” he concludes. “it makes sense for me to use it throughout the process to protect my most significant asset, my feet.”

Skin care for athletes

Skin health is an essential part of your overall fitness journey. But skin conditions can become a real obstacle with the demands of training, sweat, and sometimes less-than-ideal hygiene in gyms and locker rooms.

DuraDerm SPORT is your partner in achieving your fitness goals. By creating a protective barrier, killing germs, and promoting healing, DuraDerm SPORT helps you prevent those annoying (and sometimes serious) skin conditions that can disrupt your routine.

Don’t let skin issues hold you back. Shop now to make DuraDerm SPORT an essential part of your workout kit.