whiskers scratching my deltoids!!

RE: whiskers scratching my deltoids!!

lungbuster — Sun, 31 May 2009 07:45:50 GMT

I've wondered about this ever since my coach told me that I better shave. I thought I must have a deficiency in my stroke because I always have stuble on my face but I never get scratched raw shoulders.

RE: whiskers scratching my deltoids!!

Former Member — Sat, 30 May 2009 13:20:22 GMT

I get this occassionally myself....I think it looks kinda cool. my wife wont let me get a tat, so this is like a badge of courage!:banana:

RE: whiskers scratching my deltoids!!

isobel — Sat, 30 May 2009 12:05:52 GMT

I actually thought this meant you were a cool, experienced swimmer, using a really tight, efficient recovery, and that even as a woman, if I were swimming correctly, I too should have red spots somewhere on my upper body. Glad to see that it's a possible flaw. I'm happy to say I don't have whiskers . . . yet.

RE: whiskers scratching my deltoids!!

tjrpatt — Sat, 30 May 2009 11:49:34 GMT

I have to shave before my morning practice or I will get a bruise on my left shoulder. I still get when I do OW swims with the shaving. But, vaseline on the chin, good tip for next OW swim.

RE: whiskers scratching my deltoids!!

srcoyote — Sat, 30 May 2009 08:41:43 GMT

I realized that this wasn't happening as much to me any more so I tried to recreate the conditions of when it did happen. Mine wasn't the breathing. Mine was during the stretch forward right before the catch when I wasn't breathing. I have since widened my stroke which has given me more power and stopped the abrasions.

RE: whiskers scratching my deltoids!!

aztimm — Fri, 29 May 2009 07:25:07 GMT

Having seen this thread yesterday, and swimming last night, I did notice just a little scratching...more off of turns when I took a breath too early. In the past I've noticed it more, but last night just once or twice, so I must be doing something better. When I swim in the morning, I shave at home before so don't notice it.

RE: whiskers scratching my deltoids!!

Glenn — Fri, 29 May 2009 06:55:19 GMT

Thanks Jim. It was a fun meet. Every heat had a start time published in the program and they were right on time!! Unbelievable!! All of my times were my best in 3, 5 or 7 years..........not bad for a GEEZER!

RE: whiskers scratching my deltoids!!

Former Member — Thu, 28 May 2009 14:35:53 GMT

I get the deltoid abrasion too sometimes. Recently I have been focusing on keeping my breathes low, one goggle in the water, and have not experienced the abrasions. There seems to be a connection.

RE: whiskers scratching my deltoids!!

Former Member — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:18:54 GMT

1. let your head roll a little. this will make your shoulder contact your ear instead of your jaw. 2. avoid steroids as they tend to make your jaw protrude 3. shave less often (nobody really cares anyway) 4. bag balm

RE: whiskers scratching my deltoids!!

Former Member — Thu, 28 May 2009 10:22:11 GMT

pwolf had the most accurate answer. The abrasion is caused by breathing too late, leaving your head up and turned as the arm passes ear level. I never had this problem when younger, but since starting training again last summer, my stroke is slightly screwed up, including late breathing on both sides. If I don't shave before swimming, the skin on the front of both shoulders gets pretty chewed up.

RE: whiskers scratching my deltoids!!

Jim Clemmons — Thu, 28 May 2009 09:37:07 GMT

Two solutions: 1. Breathe earlier 2. Grow a beard (works for me):D Hey, good swimmin up at Canadian Nat's, Glenn. Just a comment - not a hijack.

RE: whiskers scratching my deltoids!!

Glenn — Thu, 28 May 2009 09:00:37 GMT

Two solutions: 1. Breathe earlier 2. Grow a beard (works for me):D

RE: whiskers scratching my deltoids!!

Former Member — Thu, 28 May 2009 08:09:43 GMT

I get this mostly on long open water swims. A good shave and some Vaseline on the chin or alternatively on the delt, cures it for me

RE: whiskers scratching my deltoids!!

Former Member — Thu, 28 May 2009 07:16:29 GMT

this used to happen to me, I changed my stroke a few years ago and it hasn't happened since

RE: whiskers scratching my deltoids!!

mctrusty — Thu, 28 May 2009 07:01:52 GMT

When I breathe late or keep my head out too long I get these. Sneak your breath and it shouldn't be a problem. Hmmm, interesting. The beard as a diagnostic tool. I get them. I'll have to play with breathing timing. I *do* tend to breathe a lil late.

RE: whiskers scratching my deltoids!!

Jim Clemmons — Thu, 28 May 2009 06:56:48 GMT

I never had this problem when younger, but since starting training again last summer, my stroke is slightly screwed up, including late breathing on both sides. If I don't shave before swimming, the skin on the front of both shoulders gets pretty chewed up. Heck, when we were younger, there wasn't enuf facial hair anywhere to be a problem. Had to shave a couple of times a month - maybe. Even that was kinda optional.

RE: whiskers scratching my deltoids!!

Former Member — Thu, 28 May 2009 06:46:43 GMT

I get this too. Only if I haven't shaved though. If your form is good looking down and the rotation is good you will "graze" your shoulder a tad. Can only suggest a shave pre practice, check your form with coach too.

RE: whiskers scratching my deltoids!!

smontanaro — Thu, 28 May 2009 04:37:25 GMT

I swam a 5k postal last Friday. I had a nice little beard scrape there the next day. My wife said, "Now you know how I feel..." :smooch:

RE: whiskers scratching my deltoids!!

pwolf66 — Thu, 28 May 2009 04:03:29 GMT

When I breathe late or keep my head out too long I get these. Sneak your breath and it shouldn't be a problem.

RE: whiskers scratching my deltoids!!

orca1946 — Thu, 28 May 2009 03:54:14 GMT

You must turn your head too far or have tender shoulders & tough eyes??!!

RE: whiskers scratching my deltoids!!

srcoyote — Thu, 28 May 2009 03:49:38 GMT

Unless I shave right before, I finish every swim with red crescents on the inside fronts of each shoulder. But then I never get goggle marks, so I'll take it, I guess.

RE: whiskers scratching my deltoids!!

orca1946 — Thu, 28 May 2009 03:46:32 GMT

I have a solution that seems to work for me. Shorter beard & more conditioner!

RE: whiskers scratching my deltoids!!

ande — Thu, 28 May 2009 03:04:00 GMT

first, I hope you're scratching the skin on your deltoid and not your deltiod muscle. I get skin scratches on my right deltiod when I have a scratchy face and swim long freestyle sets in practice. I breathe to my right. I don't get them on my left side. I sometimes I shave the right side of my face before practice to avoid scratching my skin. Need to make it a habit. last time was on Tuesday's workout. Ande