Chafing affects all runners, women and men. But —that's typically a guy thing. When it happens, it’s usually painful, embarrassing, and hard to hide. Just ask Dunder Mifflin's Andy Bernard.
We asked runners to share photos of the times their nips turned to drips. Here are several photos of bloody nipples, stains and all. (Thanks to all who shared their nipple photos. If you have a photo you would like to share, please do so here. )
Oh, and PSA: See our chafing page for tips on how to prevent chafing and treat irritated skin.
Brian Jett
“My finish line photo at the 2015 Los Angeles Marathon.”
Joe Schule
“I was running at the National Mall, when I stopped to use a public restroom and noticed I was already bleeding—a lot. I got an Uber ride home so I didn’t make it worse.”
Noah Morris
“My cousin and I thought it would be a great idea to run my first marathon as Steve Prefontaine. I may have beat the marathon, but I had to bleed to do it.”
Kenny Janosick
“On this day, I broke the old adage ‘don’t do anything new on race day.’ I gave my friend Pete a new singlet to wear, and this was the result. The good news is it all washed out and he hasn’t had a problem since.”
Paul Davies
“This picture was taken after a hot and wet 20K race—my singlet felt like sandpaper on my nipples. After this, I started using nip guards.”
Matt Tartar
“I ran 16 miles in a drizzle without protection. Afterward, I came into the house and was greeted with a shocked look on my wife’s face. I didn’t realize why until I looked down.”
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David Parsons
“This picture was taken at the Chicago Marathon. I didn’t use Band-Aids.”
Joe Schule... again
“I was doing some triathlon training—I had run five miles and followed it up with a 30-mile bike ride. I pulled over near a shop to grab some water, and I realized I was bleeding. They kindly provided me with some ointment.”
Nick Knowland
“Proudly displaying what I go through for my love of running.”
Andres Cervantes
“Here I am finishing the Med City Marathon in Rochester, Minnesota. This was not my best race as you can see by my facial experession. I was bleeding on my country’s flag, and it was the most painful marathon I’ve completed so far. The funniest part is that my nipples were super painful for more than a week after the marathon.”
Chris Wayman
“Here I am with my number one supporter and loving girlfriend after the 2015 London Marathon. What a day.”
Don Barrington
“I’m on the left in this picture sporting bloody nipples after the Bakersfield Bud Light Triathlon in 1986.”
Ben Bates
“This picture was taken at the finish line of one of my marathons.”
Benjamin Quick
“This picture was taken post half marathon on a humid morning in December 2015. Let’s just say I was not expecting that level of wetness.”
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Book Chrobak
“This was right after I finished running in a downpour—it looks like my nips have tears of blood.”
Brooks Cotton
“Here I am at the Hot Chocolate 15K finish line—I was confused why there was blood on my hand until I looked down as I crossed the finish line.”
Scott Jones
“This picture was taken post London Marathon 2017—nipple explosion.”
Adam
“This was after my first race ever at the Utah Valley Half Marathon. It hurt like hell. Lesson learned.”
Frank Valdez
“Eleven miles down and just say no to cotton.”
Christine McNelly
“My husband, Andrew, after a half marathon in Montclair, New Jersey.”
