"Jogger's nipple" (more correctly known as a fissure of the nipple) is the name applied to a condition of soreness, dryness or irritation to, or bleeding of, one or both nipples during/following running or other physical exercise.

Cause

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Caused by friction, due to the repeated rubbing of a t-shirt or other upper body clothing against the nipples during a prolonged period of exercise.

The condition is suffered mainly by runners. Long-distance runners are most prone, because they are creating the friction on the nipple for so long.

Prevention

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The condition is easily preventable, such as by sticking a small piece of sticking plaster (an adhesive bandage, or "Band-Aid" in the U.S.) over each nipple before the commencement of exercise, to act as a barrier between skin and cloth, or applying petroleum jelly to the area prior to exercise. This will prevent chafing.

External links

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• Ask The Doctor : Jogger's nipples at BBC Health

Overuse injuries