Contact Dermatitis

[gtrchk]

I wind up wearing my body armor 12 hours or more a day for 5 or more days a week. As a result I have developed a red, extremely itchy, unsightly rash on my torso, diagnosed by my doctor as "contact dermatitis."
I've asked several medical professionals about how to alleviate this condition and all have replied with "stop wearing the vest."
Obviously, in our line of work this isn't an option. Not to mention that my department would not permit me to work without it.

I've tried wearing "heat gear" shirts to reduce the dampness under the vest. I've tried washing the carrier daily. I've tried medicated powders, aloe ointments, etc.

Has anyone else run into this problem?
Is there anything you can recommend to help alleviate the condition?
At this point I'll try just about anything.... :(

[Tripwire]

Are you sure it is actually your vest that is causing it and not something else such as a new detergent, perfume/ aftershave, lotion etc?

I have had heat rash problems from wearing sports gear but not contact dermatitis. I would carefully analyze everything that you use on your body such as soaps, creams and your laundry detergent to see if maybe you changed something.

You want to keep your skin dry underneath the vest so keep wearing a wicking type under garment.

Maybe a couple of days of in the sun will clear it up, its a good excuse for a mini vacation.

[gtrchk]

I had gone through my list of detergents, etc. and nothing has changed.
I'm convinced it's the vest and so is my doctor.

But I do like your idea for the mini-vacation. :D

[hiatus619]

i feel you on the dermatitis but i have it on my chin and middle eyebrow. Sometimes i use head and shoulders or nyzoral (sp) OTC and sometimes that helps with the inflammation. Have you though of Nike's Dryfit? I dont know if that acts like under armor wear stuff. good luck.

[tripledouble]

Stop using soap and start using Dove Body Wash - Unscented. It must be the unscented type.

Start using no-fragrance laundry detergent.

Wear 100% cotton clothing.

Don't use aloe or other fragrant ointments. Try over-the-counter hydrocortisone.

If it's still bad, ask your doctor to refer you to a dermatologist. He/she may prescribe a a more potent medication than OTC hydrocortisone.

[BelAir1]

....I've tried wearing "heat gear" shirts to reduce the dampness under the vest...(

Be careful with these types of shirts. They're not meant to wear for more than an hour or two at a time. The 5.11 Tactical Series claims to make a moisture wicking product specific to LE that can be worn all day, but I haven't tried it yet to vouch for it. Otherwise, follow the advice above and try to see a dermatologist if possible.

[Tripwire]

Stop using soap and start using Dove Body Wash - Unscented. It must be the unscented type.

Start using no-fragrance laundry detergent.



You bring up a good point about the soaps. Try using a non soap cleanser such as Dove body wash or Cetaphil, there is another but I can't think of the name right now.

[ame]

I get this on the side of my hand from contact with mouse pads... happens at work as the dispatch side of things is computer driven.

I use Glaxal Base cream, liberally to get rid of the dry,scaly skin. You don't require a prescription for it, it has no scent, and it is the cream they use as a base mixtures when you get a cortisone cream. (ie.. 1% cortisone, and the rest is this Glaxal cream)

I also had success with Cetaphil Cream, (not lotion)

Do you have the option, in your service, to wear your vest in an external carrier?

[gtrchk]

Thanks for the tips. :)

In reference to ame's question, unfortunately, I don't have the option to wear the vest in an external carrier.

[Rookie23]

I had pretty much the same issue while wearing my vest. I didn't develop any skin problem, but the sweat was so bad I was basically on the verge of going nuts. Just recently I have begun to wear the vest a little looser. I have found that the vest still sits where it is supposed to, and my undershirt is much less damp since I loosened the velcro straps around my torso. Hopefully this helps