Help - allergic to my riding hat!

[bex1984]

I have, for some reason, developed an allergic reaction to my riding hat - we're talking big bright red band of eczema across my forehead This has been over the last month or so.

Hat is a Champion Ventair skull, I've had it for about 15 months. Anyone else had something similar? Any ideas for how to clean the inside of the hat (without using any chemicals/soaps etc which I will undoutedly also be allergic too...)?

It's bad enough that I am thinking I'll need to buy a new hat

 

[domane]

You cound try this....

http://www.countrysupplies.com/item...es+Owen+Accessories+-+Hat+Cleaner+/Deodoriser

The cleaner, not the deodoriser - the deodoriser may cause more of a reaction! If you can't wear the hat anyway because of the reaction, cleaning it has surely got to be another option??? Sorry to be so graphic, but it may just be a build-up of sweat from over the summer

 

[ThePony]

Do you leave it to air after you have ridden in it? If I leave mine on the shelf then it gets fairly grim and irritates my skin. Now I hang it out of the way by the chin strap and it is heaps better - no yacky forehead spots either! I did try the cleaner, but leaving it to air is much more effective.

 

[Thistle]

maybe use a panty liner inside the hat across your forehead (they sell hat sweat liners - identical but pricey)

You can get hypoallergenic cotton ones.

 

[domane]

maybe use a panty liner inside the hat across your forehead (they sell hat sweat liners - identical but pricey)

You can get hypoallergenic cotton ones.

The "glamorous" side of horse-ownership!!!
(but actually a really sensible idea!!)

 

[posie_honey]

i got that too - i used althletes foot spray in the hat as figured its a fungus - and it worked

*hav i really just admitted that on a public forum*

 

[sillygillyhorse]

Some good tips been given. If you do end up buying a new hat have a look at some of the newer brands on the market, they now have detachable linings that can be put through the washing mashine on a cool wash, you can also buy additional liners. Two brands that spring to mind are KEP and Uvex. Uvex are cheaper than KEP but you may struggle to find Uvex in the UK, they are readily available in Germany via tinternet though.

 

[bex1984]

so basically - put a pantyliner inside my fungid, sweaty hat!

I was thinking it had probably got a bit sweaty (although I do leave it to air-dry). I blame the pony for being such hard work that I get hot everytime I ride!!

Thanks for all the tips, I will have a go at salvaging the hat

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

Every so often my helmets give me a rash across my forehead too, it gets ever so itchy so I started using the Charles Owen hat cleaner and as soon as I use that, the problem goes away. I have sensitive skin, I'm even allergic to my wedding ring!! The CO stuff doesn't bother me.

I put loads on all inside my helmet and give it a good scrub down on the sweatband with the rough side of a washing up sponge.

Your not far from me, I got mine from Hurst Saddlers.

 

[TGM]

maybe use a panty liner inside the hat across your forehead (they sell hat sweat liners - identical but pricey)

I'm just imagining the looks you would get if the panty liner happened to slip out whilst you were riding!

 

[kirstie]

I get exactly the same thing as you. Ditto the above advise, either sweat liners from tack shop or panty liners for the cheaper option. It really does work.
Before I saw the sweat liners, I used to cut long strips off of a soft t-shirt and wear it bandana like across my forehead and tied up under pony tail. Looked really silly but did work!
The thought of putting my hat on now without a sweat/panty liner in it actually makes me shudder!

 

[clopper]

I'm just imagining the looks you would get if the panty liner happened to slip out whilst you were riding!

lol that's just too funny!!!!

I had a fungal thing on my forehead before when I kept y hat in the tack shed. Had to get some cream from doctor & bin the hat. Always keep my hats inthe house now -especially now its getting colder/damper out!

 

[Vodkagirly]

I got that in the summer, was time for a new hat anyway. 8 hour cream did a good of clearing it up.

 

[loopyloop]

I have absolutely nothing constructive to add at all BUT...........:

VERY amused at the thought of you riding with a pantyliner on your head!

I know very immature today, but only you Becky, only you, haha!

Being as Smurf is so gorgeous maybe nobody would notice if it slipped down!

 

[bex1984]

I think that having a pantyliner on my head would basically be jinxing myself to fall off in a public place in a ridiculous fashion (nothing new there...) and end up having to remove my hat, only to reveal a pantyliner stuck to my forehead...it is bound to happen.

Being as I fell off (notice the recurring theme) a few weeks ago and landed on my head, perhaps it is time for a new hat anyway?!

I don't think it's a fungus, seems to be normal excema but flares up everytime I wear The Hat.

 

[Matt-G]

I see this thread is old now but hopefully someone will see this and it may help. I suffered with this very badly but have found a solution that works perfectly for me and doesn't involve having to buy a new hat.

I use micropore tape and just put a strip along the front of my riding hat on the bit which touches where the eczema is. It doesn't leave any kind of sticky residue or anything and because it's paper thin it doesn't make your hat tight. It means your skin is against something clean that be changed as often as you need to change it. If your skin is bad you can change it every time you ride, then once it's settled you can leave it in place and change every few weeks or even every 2 or 3 months (that's all I do now).

It really helps, is just as good as having a brand new non sweaty hat and isn't expensive. You can buy rolls of the stuff from Amazon cheaper than your chemist too.

I hope this helps someone

 

[Jenny Wrenny]

I'm just imagining the looks you would get if the panty liner happened to slip out whilst you were riding!

Hehe! Oh the shame of trying to talk your way out of that one!

 

[lhotse]

You could try wearing a 'Buff' under your hat. They come in all sorts of fabric and can cover your ears too. Easy to wash and shouldn't alter the fut as the fabric is thin. Lots of nice colours too!

 

[Polar Bear9]

Some good tips been given. If you do end up buying a new hat have a look at some of the newer brands on the market, they now have detachable linings that can be put through the washing mashine on a cool wash, you can also buy additional liners. Two brands that spring to mind are KEP and Uvex. Uvex are cheaper than KEP but you may struggle to find Uvex in the UK, they are readily available in Germany via tinternet though.

Samshield also have detachable liners and are cheaper and more available in the UK You could get two liners and alternate them weekly, just bung them through the washing machine

 

[Polar Bear9]

Oops, only just realised that this is an old thread. Sorry!