helmet itch

[nightpilot]

I have horrible helmet itch at times. Have real lots of comments that others suffer it too. Has been so bad that have stopped at every rest area and scratched my head so much it bleeds, ran my head under the water faucet and it was good for 15 minutes. It happens at times within seconds of putting helmet on, not due to sweating, dont know what. all helmets are pretty much the same. tried all sorts of do rags also with little or no help.

also cut hair half inch long, seemed to help some. when i am allergic to pollen it seems to make it worse. eating lots of cortisone might help but a little drastic. some other antihistamines have helped some. my bicycle helmet that is very light and open does this very little or none at all. scalpacin has helped.

anyone know why this happens or have a good solution.??

[fredintoon]

I have horrible helmet itch at times. - - - also cut hair half inch long, seemed to help some. Anyone know why this happens or have a good solution.??

Hi nightpilot,
Medical, go see an allergenist.
This list may not be the best place to obtain an informed medical opinion.
Technical, rig a camelback to sluice your head as you ride.
Also adds "wet T-shirt" cooling in hot weather via the "trickle-down" effect.
Practical, go the full Yul with a headshave.
If it don't work to stop the itch, your hair will grow back quick enough.
Geographical, move to a no-helmet-law State.
There, you can wear the bicycle helmet for partial itch relief plus at least a degree of protection.

[yamtom]

Wash the helmet?

You didnt say that youve washed the interior of the helmet, I assume thats been done, if not, I wash my bicycle helmets in the dishwasher, but that may be a bit drastic. You might want to check with the manufacturer on what to use for best results but I just use dish soap and water. For me, the dirtier they get the more they cause an itch.

[CatatonicBug]

I used to have that problem (all the way through school, in fact), even with nothing on my head. At the slightest hint of perspiration, I would itch like crazy! I started using Neutrogena's T-Gel Daily control, and I almost NEVER itch anymore.

[b.walker5]

That looks similar to the Garnier product I use for the same reason. Went through high school with a huge dandruff / dry scalp problem and anything that caused extra heat on my head would cause serious itching and discomfort. 30 years on I still have the underlying problem but I manage it with a good shampoo and a well ventilated helmet.

[TomRodgers]

It sounds crazy, but i have a similar issue. Mine is caused by some genetic oil factory in my head!! 20 minutes out of the shower and my scalp begins producing a never ending supply of oil!!! Sticking a helmet on ( i clean mine twice a week when i use it with dawn dish soap and hot water, rinse and let air dry) makes me want to scratch my eyeballs out!!! SWMBO suggested that i 'dust' my hair with baby powder. so before i go on a haul that requires my helmet, i take a handful of J&J baby powder, and 'grey up'. No more itch.

[thebottle]

You could have someone check you for lice. It is really hard to see on your own accord. Otherwise you could try "Head and Shoulders" or "Selsom Blue" and that should help.

[nightpilot]

Thanks for the thoughts and good info guys. I wish it was a skin condition, lice or maybe even crabs but unfortnately I think it is a systemic allergic response triggered by something about the mechanical environment created by putting the helmet on the head. A search also found that lots of people experience the same thing. Also it varies between nothing and bad enough so that I would shave my head if I could at the moment. Antihistamines will diminish or extinguish the itching. What is unknown is why the response is triggered. Anyway I am hopeful that some of the preparations suggested will treat it rather than having to resort to systemic medication.

[lee_dutcher]

my wifes is a dermatogist and says dandriff/ dry calp is cause by mack of oil in you pores....if its only itchy with the helmet on it could be tha your hair is 'tickling' your scalp causing it to itch...but if itchs all the time try some hydrocodozone cream/ouintment on the scalp after a cool shower...any kind of shapoo with zinc oxide will work well...

[latexeses]

Come to a motorcycle forum for medical advice...????

Rub it with dirt!!

Fred,

That about right?

[GARTHXS]

hmmm

I prefer 20/50

[CatatonicBug]

I prefer 20/50

Ahh! But what brand? And dino or synthetic?

[Jerry]

I have the same problem under certain conditions of heat and humidity. I bought a silk "cap" which looks like the top of a scuba diver's wet suit and wear that from time to time. It helps a lot. It puts a barrier between my head and the helmet liner. Does not get uncomfortably warm.

I have 3 helmets, my trusty Shoei, and HJC, and a MAX (which I don't use much, to noisy) and have had the same issue on all of them.

Interetingly, it seems to happen to me at certain heat / humidity conditions, and lower heat than one might think, generally in the 70 - 75 deg F range. Colder or warmer is not a problem, so I don't need the silk cap in those conditions.