Hit the ice with confidence: Preventing and healing hockey rashes

June 12, 2024

More ice time, less downtime: Your ultimate guide to hockey rash relief

Hockey is a tough sport, but battling itchy rashes shouldn’t be part of the game. Itchy, burning irritation under your pads can sideline even the most dedicated player. The good news? You can keep your focus on the game, not your gear, by learning how to prevent these frustrating rashes. This guide equips you with the knowledge and tools to prevent these rashes and ensure you stay in the game.

What’s in this guide:

The battle beneath the pads: Understanding hockey rashes
Gearing up for success: Preventing hockey rashes
Beyond common rashes: Recognizing more serious skin concerns
So, you got a rash? Soothing and healing strategies
The essential for every hockey bag: DuraDerm SPORT
A parent’s story: Back on the ice with DuraDerm SPORT
Stay on the Ice with DuraDerm SPORT

The battle beneath the pads: Understanding hockey rashes

Friction, moisture, and germs – the unholy trinity that cause most hockey rashes. Common conditions include:

Chafing: Constant rubbing from ill-fitting pads creates raw, inflamed skin.
Contact dermatitis: Irritants like sweat, detergents, or certain materials in equipment can trigger an itchy, red rash.
Eczema: This chronic skin condition can be exacerbated by sweat and friction.
Athlete’s foot: A warm, moist environment under your gear is a breeding ground for fungus, causing itchy, red patches between the toes and on the soles of the feet.
Fungal infections: In addition to athlete’s foot, other fungal infections can also develop in areas of friction and moisture buildup.

These rashes can be a real downer, causing discomfort, pain, and potentially leading to missed games or practices. In some cases, they can even force players to quit the sport they love.

Gearing up for success: Preventing hockey rashes

Prevention is your best defense against these irritating rashes. Here’s your battle plan:

Clean equipment is key: Regularly disinfect your equipment with EPA-approved disinfectants like Clear Gear to minimize bacterial growth that irritates your skin. Don’t forget to wash your clothes and uniforms with a sports detergent or vinegar/baking soda solution after every game to remove sweat and bacteria. Skip fabric softeners, as they can trap odor and hinder breathability.
Gear up properly: Ill-fitting pads are a recipe for friction. Ensure your equipment fits snugly but comfortably, allowing for a full range of motion. Choose moisture-wicking undergarments and breathable clothing to combat sweat buildup. Consider sweat-absorbing liners for helmets and gloves.
Listen to your body: Take breaks during long practices or games to allow your skin to breathe. Shower with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser after every activity to remove sweat and prevent irritation.

Beyond common rashes: Recognizing more serious skin concerns

While most hockey rashes are unpleasant but manageable, it’s important to be aware of rarer, more serious skin conditions that can develop under hockey gear. Early identification and treatment are crucial for a speedy recovery and to prevent complications. Here’s what to watch out for:

Staph infections: In very rare cases, particularly with poor hygiene or open wounds, staph infections can develop. These typically appear as red, swollen, and pus-filled bumps.
MRSA: MRSA is a type of staph infection resistant to certain antibiotics. MRSA is very rare in healthy athletes and requires specific conditions to spread.

Important note: Maintaining good hygiene practices and promptly addressing open wounds reduces the risk of these more serious infections. If you suspect a staph infection or MRSA, seek immediate medical attention.

So, you got a rash? Soothing and healing strategies

Even with the best prevention, rashes can happen. Here’s how to address them:

Identify the cause: Understanding the cause (friction, allergy, etc.) helps determine the best treatment approach.
Gentle cleansing and soothing: Cleanse the area with lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free cleanser. Apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer to soothe the skin. Consider a cool compress for temporary relief. For minor rashes, some people find liquid bandages helpful to create a protective barrier and promote healing.
When to seek professional help: Seek medical attention if the rash is severe, accompanied by intense pain, swelling, or pus; doesn’t improve within a few days; spreads rapidly; or appears infected (redness, warmth, tenderness).
Additional tips: Wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing. Avoid scratching or picking at the rash. Maintain good hygiene by showering regularly and washing clothes after wearing.

The essential for every hockey bag: DuraDerm SPORT

Following these preventative measures will help to reduce your risk of hockey rashes – but for ultimate healing and protection, make DuraDerm SPORT your go-to solution.

This innovative product’s breathable barrier is a game-changer. It minimizes friction and moisture, the root causes of rashes, while its antimicrobial properties kill pathogens like Staph and MRSA on contact, reducing infection risk. DuraDerm SPORT creates an optimal healing environment for existing rashes and allows you to focus on the game, not irritation.

Here’s why DuraDerm SPORT is indispensable for any hockey player’s bag:

Stops rashes before they start: The breathable barrier minimizes friction and moisture buildup.
Kills germs that cause infections: DuraDerm SPORT kills viruses, bacteria and fungus on contact, including Staph and MRSA.
Promotes healing: The optimal environment created by DuraDerm SPORT helps existing rashes heal effectively.
Game-ready formula: DuraDerm SPORT’s breathable barrier is clear, odorless, and water-resistant, keeping you focused on the game, not your gear.
Easy to use: Apply before or after games/practices for seamless integration into your routine.

Don’t let hockey rashes sideline you. DuraDerm SPORT is the ultimate defense for a confident and comfortable game.

A parent’s story: Back on the ice with DuraDerm SPORT

Hockey is a sport that demands grit and determination. But for young athletes like Hunter, the passion for the game can be overshadowed by the frustration of persistent skin infections. Hunter’s dad shares his journey in the story below – a testament to the challenges faced by players dealing with hockey-related rashes and, ultimately, the discovery of a solution that allowed Hunter to get back on the ice with confidence.

My son Hunter has been playing hockey since he was old enough to stand up on skates. At the age of 10, he started to get reoccurring skin infections on his arms and legs. He was diagnosed with having chronic fungal infections. As time went on and multiple trips to his pediatrician, the infected areas began to spread and became harder to treat. We tried everything from over the counter products to prescribed topical treatments with little to no improvement.

It is hard for a parent to watch your child mentally suffer through a condition that seemed untreatable. The infections became so severe that he no longer wanted to go swimming with friends, and he was being made fun of in school. In the summer months, we did notice that the infected areas dissipated when he was off the ice for a considerable time. We realized a direct correlation between playing hockey and his skin condition.

Anyone who has a child that plays hockey knows the smell and the “gunk” that forms in a hockey bag. A hockey bag and equipment is a petri dish of bacteria, germs, mold, spores, and fungus. The rash broke out in areas where his elbow pads, shin pads, and shoulder pads rubbed against his skin. In addition to his topical treatment routine, our pediatrician recommended we thoroughly wash his hockey equipment. While playing in a hockey tournament in Marlborough, Massachusetts, we had his equipment sanitized in a Sani Sport machine located at the rink. It removed some of the odors but didn’t help the skin rash. We also tried bleaching his hockey equipment once a week, resulting in zero improvements. We bought moisture-wicking compression clothes to wear under his gear, which ultimately made the skin infections worse. As parents, we had spent hours on the internet searching and trying any recommendation for hockey-related skin breakouts.

One of his hockey coaches suggested that he try a new product called DuraDerm SPORT. We were willing to try anything that might help. Once he started applying DuraDerm SPORT, we noticed that his skin inflammation went away within the first day, and the entire infected area was virtually gone in 5 days. The results were life-changing! DuraDerm SPORT was the first product to clear up his skin infections without keeping him off the ice. If it weren’t for DuraDerm SPORT, I don’t think we could have continued to allow him to play hockey.

Hunter’s story is a powerful reminder that the fight against hockey rashes can be an ongoing challenge. It highlights the importance of proactive measures, hygiene practices, and finding the right solution for each individual case. For Hunter, DuraDerm SPORT became the game-changer. Within days of using the product, the inflammation subsided and the infected areas began to heal. This breakthrough allowed Hunter to get back to doing what he loves – playing hockey – without the constant worry of painful rashes.

Stay on the ice with DuraDerm SPORT

Hockey demands toughness, but battling rashes shouldn’t be part of the game. With the tips above and DuraDerm SPORT in your hockey bag, you can say goodbye to on-ice distractions.

Order DuraDerm SPORT today and dominate the ice with confidence!