Okole Rash

Just make sure your hand or the glue stick doesn't stick to your butt. If it does, you're gonna have some explaining to do.

Paddle shorts with the neoprene liners help a lot but may not be enough if your canoe seat isn't padded. I developed a rash while wearing my paddle shorts while stroking in seat one without padding. During the next couple of weeks, I applied a generous amount of petroleum jelly to both cheeks and the problem went away. Now days, if I know I'm going out for a long run, I'll apply PJ as a safety measure. It washes off pretty easily and is cheap to buy.

#1 Tue, 08/24/2004 - 10:26am

i used to use this stuff called Butt'R can get it at a lot of bike shops or at any REI.. it works really well, but i stopped using it when i bought some tight thick biker short things... its the rubbing fabric that does it, and with those tight things it doesnt rub and doesnt make a rash. i also notice that my belly begins to rub when it gets too big and hangs over my shorts, so it's a good indication that i need to start doing more sit ups.. so i do my sit ups and wear my feminine looking tight tight tights, and im rash free.. but if you already have tried the tights and are still getting a rash try find that Butt'R stuff.. dont let anyone see you with the bottle though, it's pretty embarrasing

#3 Wed, 08/18/2004 - 10:47pm

This is a problem with which I am unfortunately very familiar with and so I am happy to be able to offer what I have learned. First, the key is prevention. A large glob of vasoline has been widely recommended, along with neoprene paddling shorts that fit snugly since they loosen when wet. Besides vasoline there are also products like Body Glide and Butt'R found in running and biking stores. Padding the seat itself helps. Duct tape and gardening knee pads found in Wal-Mart or some other kind of rubberized mat cut into seat sized rectangles and taped on also helps. I have known paddlers to do this each practice session. Island Paddler in Honolulu also sells manufactured seat pads made especially for outrigger canoes that strap on and that have an adjustable air cushion. These work but get hot because of the plastic air bladder. Once you get the rash, it's hard to get rid of because if you are like most paddlers, you are always in the water. Best way to get rid of it is to lay off, let it dry and heal up. But since paddlers can't do that, make sure you put triple anti-biotic cream on it and a non-stick bandaid so it doesn't stick to your shorts and so you don't find yourself having to peel the shorts off of your butt. When all else fails and you have persistent sores that aren't healing because you keep taking the new skin off, here's the final solution. Clean and dry thoroughly. Apply a layer of super glue and let dry thoroughly. By the time the super glue comes off, the new skin should have grown in underneath. Suggested by a doctor. Tried and true. It also immediately stops hurting because the raw skin is no longer exposed to air. And it stops sticking to clothing. Only drawback is that rarely people might get an allergic dermatitis to the superglue. The spray on bandage doesn't work mainly because paddlers are getting right back in there and rubbing the whole thing off again. Hope this helps. As long as the surface is clean and dry and the injury is not infected, superglue is great. Any brand....

#5 Sun, 08/22/2004 - 10:42am

two words for you...choke vaseline!!! I've used it for years, and if you buy the scented kind it keeps you baby fresh too :lol:

#7 Wed, 09/01/2004 - 4:42pm