Helmets Neck Annoyed By Chin Strap?

FrayAdjacent

Joined
Aug 20, 2010
Messages
383
Location
Austin, TX
Bike
1995 ST1100
Anyone else have this issue?

If I shave and ride later the same day, and even sometimes the next day, the area on my neck (above my Adam's Apple) gets annoyed, red and breaks out.

The strap doesn't feel rough and doesn't seem to really be rubbing in any way that would annoy me, it's just my neck reacting to it.

I'm wondering how people deal with it... or if maybe someone has come up with a small soft something to put over the strap to keep it from rubbing on the neck.
 
I used to have the same issue. I gave up on razor shaving and started using a Wahl "Peanut" without any attachments. Looks close enough to being clean shaven and no more irritation.

wahl-peanut-trimmer__73945_zoom.jpg
 
I don't know if this would work for your helmet but Shoei helmets have strap covers that slip over the strap. One side is soft padded cloth. I have purchased replacement ones before - I think they were about $10 or $15 a pair. They use a snap to affix in place which you could add to a bare strap. Heck, they probably would be OK just slipped in place.

http://www.store.shoei-helmets.com/parts-by-helmet-model/road/multitec/interiors.html
 
I have a Shoei and the soft part gets folded under sometimes and causes irritation. I have to make sure the soft parts touch each other on both sides.
 
dduelin said:
I don't know if this would work for your helmet but Shoei helmets have strap covers that slip over the strap. One side is soft padded cloth. I have purchased replacement ones before - I think they were about $10 or $15 a pair. They use a snap to affix in place which you could add to a bare strap. Heck, they probably would be OK just slipped in place.

http://www.store.shoei-helmets.com/parts-by-helmet-model/road/multitec/interiors.html
Click to expand...


I was wondering if someone made something like THAT. Slips over the long end of the chin strap, I take it? Definitely could help a ton.

I was going to see if I could find some alcohol wipes or something at the store tonight, but I forgot. Figured a decent rub down of the neck before and after would clean the pores and kill off anything that would cause irritation.
 
Throttlejockey said:
I have a Shoei and the soft part gets folded under sometimes and causes irritation. I have to make sure the soft parts touch each other on both sides.
Click to expand...

I have an HJC, and the covers do not meet in the middle, leaving the bare strap against my neck. Also looks like the above covers are the ones that connect to the bases of the straps. I could probably adapt one by just slipping it over the strap, tho.
 
FrayAdjacent said:
I have an HJC, and the covers do not meet in the middle, leaving the bare strap against my neck. Also looks like the above covers are the ones that connect to the bases of the straps. I could probably adapt one by just slipping it over the strap, tho.
Click to expand...
I think you could do that. There is one for each side of the strap. Someone mentioned they get bunched up or slip up but taking a moment to position them when cinching the strap tight takes care of that for me.
 
FrayAdjacent said:
Anyone else have this issue?

If I shave and ride later the same day, and even sometimes the next day, the area on my neck (above my Adam's Apple) gets annoyed, red and breaks out.

The strap doesn't feel rough and doesn't seem to really be rubbing in any way that would annoy me, it's just my neck reacting to it.

I'm wondering how people deal with it... or if maybe someone has come up with a small soft something to put over the strap to keep it from rubbing on the neck.
Click to expand...

For me, I get this from jacket collars mostly, and I attributed it to rubbing of the edge of the collar. I also get it to a lesser degree from my chin strap. My Oly Airglide jacket is especially prone to this at the adam's apple where the collar is the most tight against my neck. If anything rubs my neck, like the collar of any jacket or the pressed collar of a dress shirt, I get the red sensitive rashy areas. The longer it occurs, the redder and more irritated the skin becomes. Whether I shave or not only seems to affect how fast it happens. So, I'm always fiddling with my jacket collar keeping off my neck. To reduce it, I wear mock turtleneck heat gear in the summer and turtleneck cold gear in the winter. So, I'd bet that some padding to change how the strap 'rubs' your neck would help reduce the problem.
 
On the mention of turtle necks have you considered wearing a neckerchief or one of those bike masks that comes up over your neck, chin and mouth?

mask%20half%20panther.jpg
 
Try a bandana. Pull it up and under the strap. As a bonus, they keep cold air off, cool you (wet) in the heat, and keep bugs out of your shirt. That's why cowboys wear 'em, podner. Very stylish, too. Or maybe try a silk scarf.
 
FrayAdjacent said:
the next day, the area on my neck (above my Adam's Apple) gets annoyed, red and breaks out.
Click to expand...

Two answers....
1) bikini zone; yes it for the tender areas of gals, but it will stop all the rash.. sort of a super skin cleaner gel , wipe on rub in dries quicks. I've used it when i use a blade over electric and it does work FB
2) Mole Skin ; felt type material with stick-on the one side...cut to fit and attach.
 
FrayAdjacent said:
I was going to see if I could find some alcohol wipes or something at the store tonight, but I forgot. Figured a decent rub down of the neck before and after would clean the pores and kill off anything that would cause irritation.
Click to expand...

Witch Hazel would work better. I've used a good lotion with aloe or sunscreen as my neck gets irritated too.
 
Tom Mac 04a said:
Two answers....
1) bikini zone; yes it for the tender areas of gals, but it will stop all the rash.. sort of a super skin cleaner gel , wipe on rub in dries quicks. I've used it when i use a blade over electric and it does work FB
2) Mole Skin ; felt type material with stick-on the one side...cut to fit and attach.
Click to expand...

Good suggestions.. i had completely forgotten mole skin!

I'm out at TexSTOC, and find that hot and humid weather sure doesn't help the situation.
 
My helmet strap really irritates my skin if I have shaved prior to wearing it. I have bad seasonal allergies and I know the pollen enhances the irritation from the strap. I have used the Benadryl gel/cream before and it did work for me, of course YMMV. I also try not to shave so much, :D.
 
cdp70 said:
My helmet strap really irritates my skin if I have shaved prior to wearing it. I have bad seasonal allergies and I know the pollen enhances the irritation from the strap. I have used the Benadryl gel/cream before and it did work for me, of course YMMV. I also try not to shave so much, :D.
Click to expand...


I do the same. I hate shaving... but I like being clean shaven. I'll usually shave once or twice a week, and often I'll plan it so that I'm not going to be riding within a day or so.

I'm glad my job doesn't require me to be all clean and tidy... I usually wear jeans and a teeshirt with a ball cap.
 
I found a simple solution that worked for me, I was getting no irritation from the helmet components, just a reaction from the contact.
From the pharmacy get a tube of Acne Free Terminator or equivalent, its a 5% Benzoyl Peroxide paste.
Rub some into the strap area that contacts your neck, also apply some to your neck before you ride. This will kill any bacteria that is causing the reaction, and it is not invasive in any way, the Acne Free product dries in a few seconds.
This also works for cheek pads, forehead pads or any area that may cause a problem. Just rub it into the cloth liner and it will kill the bacteria.
 
That's a good idea, Dave. Might have to give that a try.


Thanks for all the ideas, everyone. Looks like I have multiple things I can try out!
 
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