Tuesday, July 21, 2015

Do Nipples Need Air?

I was going to insert a picture of one of my nipples here, but I think
we've all seen enough of those in previous posts. Instead, here's a picture
of my new Brooks Ghost 8's, I'll probably review them in a later post
On most given days, if you ran up to me, shouted "America!", and then pulled my shirt up and exposed my bare chest, there'd be a little surprise waiting for you.  No believe me, it's not a perfectly carved pectoral set, or tattoos, or chest hair manicured into the shape of Sponge Bob ... nope, none of that.  What is it, you ask?  Well, it would be two missing nipples.  Actually, they're there, but on most days they're hidden underneath two small circular band-aids.  Which leads me to my question for you today ... do nipples need air?

This  might seem like a silly question, but it's one I've been pondering for a while.  You see, in the past to avoid painful friction during a run, I used Body Glide everyday on my nipples.  But that stained pretty much every running shirt that I had, resulting in two large discolored circles on my chest, resembling giant areolas.  So for the past six months or so, I've been using Band-Aid brand Clear Spots.  They're about the size of my nipples, waterproof, and seem to adhere really well.  And even though a box of 50 is only like $3 at Walgreen's, they're too expensive to use a new one everyday.  So typically I'll just leave them on for two or three days before changing them.  Genius ... right?  I mean, I usually wear a shirt in public, so who would really know except for my wife.  And on the rare occasion I'm forced into the dreaded outing at our neighborhood pool, I just take them off so my nipples blend in with everyone else.

But here's the issue,  since I basically leave my nipples bandaged all day everyday, they never get any air.  When I finally remove the Band-Aids, on an off day from running for example, the poor little guys looks wrinkled, and pale, and sick.  Like two of those weird white raisins you sometimes have to settle for when the store is out of regular raisins and they're not getting any in until Wednesday.  I really worry about them.  I've been doing this for a while now and there don't seem to be any adverse effects, but I just thought I'd throw it out there for discussion.

So what do you think?  Do nipples need air?  Should I change out the Band-Aids after every run?  What type of nipple protection do you use?  I assume most women just use their bra's because they don't seem to rub like the loose shirt of a guy, but who knows.  Well, that's about tit. (haha ... pun)
... Be Great Today!

24 comments:

  1. Um, as cheap as they are (I use the same ones for the same reason), you should be able to replace them each day. Not only do the girls need air (though I think the bandaids are supposed to breathe), but I wonder if the adhesive is bad for your skin for prolonged periods.

    I don't run every day, so I don't have the same "economies of scale" you have. But maybe you could put these on your wish list so you'd have an ample supply whenever you need them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I'll probably start going with everyday, Paul - they aren't really that much

      Delete
  2. So you know that about half the population's nipples don't really get much air, right?
    And you could always run shirtless every so often to between bandaids to give them a break. Just a thought.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, but I don't think the aforementioned half walks around in neoprene self adhesive bra's either, I mean, I think most of that population removes them before going to sleep, so there's a little break there. I don't know about shirtless, I'm pretty self-conscious of my body and doing that in public, I mean no one's jumping in line to see bare 46 y/o chest.

      Delete
  3. I wouldn't leave bandages on skin for long periods of time. Never know what could start growing. Might have to kick a few more bucks into bandages. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That was kind of my thought Kathee, I wasn't sure if an infection could start under them or something. I think I'll start rotating them more often.

      Delete
  4. I'd say yes if you were nursing a baby and they were cracked and/or blistered. Plus they sound kind of unattractive (pale, wrinkled and sick) so you wouldn't want to put said baby off his/her dinner. But as you'll never breastfeed I don't see that it's an issue.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I would think that keeping the band-aids on them would lead to bacteria build up. Just doesn't sound very hygienic to me.

    This summer I have been having a little bit of that issue -- chafing. Seems like every shirt I wear is irritating me and same with my shorts.

    Sometimes I wish I could get away running naked. At times I've ditched the shirt, but I am no longer twenty-something and my chest doesn't exactly look like a Men's Health cover model either. Oh well... cooler weather is around the corner.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hear ya, I'm not confident enough to go shirtless unless there's no one around

      Delete
  6. I am 43 and I run shirtless if it is over 80 degrees!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish I had your confidence, I see a lot of guys do it, but I just feel more comfortable with a shirt on

      Delete
  7. Yeah, imho change the bandaids out every day. Keep them off when you are not running. That may get a bit annoying to apply everyday but your girls do need air,and you probably don't want bacteria build up....
    and no shame in running shirtless on the hot days!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha, why does everyone keep calling them "my girls" ... so funny

      Delete
  8. As long as it is working for you I say if it ain't broke...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, there's been no issue so far Christy, but I'm just trying to prevent nipple disaster

      Delete
  9. I'm so glad (right now for the first time) for my sports bra.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well with all due respect, I'll deal with the Band-Aids as opposed to what you gals go through

      Delete
  10. Since you haven't had a problem it is probably ok. One of my guy runner friends ended up with mastitis, an infection generally nursing mothers get from cracks around the nipples and benign S. aureus from skin gets in and causes infection. So the only thing I'd worry about would be that... not sure how he got it or why, I didn't ask for details... Maybe your bandaids are preventing nipple disaster? who knows. If it works go with it till it doesn't.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I spend my life trying avoid "nipple disaster" ... I just think it's wise

      Delete
  11. I keep telling my wife her nipples need more air... It hasn't worked yet. I will have her read this blog and I will get back to you.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I left you a comment on this post, but it may have ended in the spam because it had a link in it. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Ririnette - I checked in all my spam folders and couldn't find it, can you email me the link?

      Delete

Thanks for stopping by ... your comment's always welcome!