Bra intervention needed

[aliasjoey]

For the past few years every summer I get really bad heat rash between my breasts. Although there is no visible rash, it’s incredibly hot and ITCHY

The doctor couldn’t help. I’ve tried various rash creams and cooling sprays. I’ve searched all over for cotton bras (eventually bought some nursing ones! ) the only thing that helps for about 10 minutes is a wet wipe between my boobs. But I guess it’s a bad idea to keep that area damp...

What I’ve noticed is the bras all push my boobs together, and honestly the heat that comes off there could start a fire. Going without isn’t an option - apart from not wanting to scare the horses, it would only move the problem to underneath instead of between.

I need a bra that keeps them apart. some kind of ‘ventilation’ ? It maybe doesn’t help that I’m quite small, biggish bust yet narrow shoulders...

TL:DR in the words of our wonderful Victoria Wood - a bra to “lift and separate” ??

I meant to write the whole quote from VW - “if God had wanted our beasts to be lifted and separated, he’d have put one on each shoulder”

You don’t say what size you are op but I’m a 32e and wear a balconette bra which does separate really well. It’s a freya one. I imagine that with very large boobs it may be harder to seperate though

I have big boobs (34J) and get the dreaded boob sweat in summer which can often turn red and painful. Balcony bras are the best. Or sports bras as they're more breathable.

Thanks, it looks like balcony bras have wide set straps, so may not work with narrow shoulders? But I will have a look for those, maybe it’s more trial and error

I use a stick deodorant between and under my breasts. It helps to reduce the sweating.

Cuticura talc between and under. Works a treat.

If you are getting red and painful boob rash (I had it a couple of weeks ago and can v much vouch for the pain) what you need is Canesten HC.

It has to be the HC version, not just ordinary Canesten as you have some dermatitis going on that needs calming down.

And possibly a bra intervention for a better fitting bra - which is also what I needed as my bras were much loved but no longer fitting.

Hot and itchy with no rash, don't know - I think you are right in turning to a bra specialist

Second balconette it won't matter if your narrow shouldered, the air can circulate and your boobs will be so grateful.

Like I said, I’ve tried creams and powders... and last year after worrying that I was reinfecting myself I boiled all my bras

Anyway I’ve been and got a couple of new bras... they are a kind of crossover style. I chose a size larger (38 instead of 36) and tried to wear the straps wider on my shoulders... it worked to begin with, but I think after a couple of hours the boobs will start sagging inwards... we’ll see.

I even bought some of those cooling (headache) patches which I will shove inside my bra if necessary.

Hmm, thinking about original problem just a fitting may do.

I am large of cup (J) with sloping shoulders and have new bras courtesy of Bravissimo after said rash disaster.

They are all full cup but lifted and separated - fitter made much fuss about fit over breast bone now I think about it - so not pushed together at all. And sloping shoulders problem has been eliminated as straps are barely doing any of the work.

Crossposted with you - if you are wearing a 36 or a 38 back then the Mumsnet bra interventionists will insist you are in the wrong size and that is half the problem.

Everything is moving about, itching and sweating as you are in the wrong size.

For reference I am 5ft 6, weigh prob 14 st if I could face getting on the scales, wear size 18 (just) and am a 32 J.

No way could I get in a smaller size, I was SO uncomfortable wriggling in and out of tight bras today when I was hot and sticky! I also tried on some balcony styles, but they didn’t help.

I’ve found a bravissimo shop about 10 miles away from me - if the bras I bought today are no good, I may try going there?

Op, do go to bravissimo but be prepared for them to take you down probably 3 band sizes. You say you’re small but wearing a 35 or even 38, that’s way out and will only
Exacibate your problems

My 32FF's lift and separate in my Bravissimo bras, go and get a fitting and tell them what you are looking for. They are so lovely and if you get the bra home, wear it a bit and realise it's not right they will let you change it.

Go to Bravissimo definitely.

A long long time ago I saved up and went to Rigby and Peller - when they only had the Conduit street branch in London. I walked in a 38C and walked out a 34G having been reunited with my waist. I never looked back.

The back sizes are tight but they are meant to be. As they tell you 80% of the support is from the back, 15 from the cups and the rest from the straps.

I squeezed into a 32 back a couple of weeks ago and thought I was being strangled. Having worn the bras a bit now, they have stretched and they are perfect. I dread to think how little support I'd have back in a 38 or 40 which is what I used to be traditional fitted in.

Yes to everything Anna says above

I’ve got an appointment at Bravissimo tomorrow! Am very nervous that they will laugh at me because I’m much smaller than their usual big busty ladies... I need a different kind of intervention (a bra with a built in cooling system?)

Thanks to everyone who gave advice

I made the appointment because yesterday was so warm and muggy. When I left work (20 minute walk uphill in the heat) I realised I should have taken my bra off before leaving work.

After 5 minutes, I stopped and attempted to remove my bra. In the middle of the street. Not easy to do without completely stripping off, having to reach behind to undo the clasps.

That’s when I thought I need —serious help— an intervention...

Aw you poor thing! Dw we've done something similar at some point. Did the appointment go well?

I used to get red rash under boobs and found 2 ways to solve it, firstly medicated talc, secondly antiperspirant. If I don't sweat I don't get the rash.

The appointment was great, the assistant was really professional.

I was so impressed that the very FIRST bra she brought out - without measuring me - was perfect. Not much difference in size, a 36 F instead of 36 DD, but she took one look and said underwire. Yeah I had been wearing non-wired because I thought they were more comfortable and less restrictive. But with the correct sizing, yes it’s not what I’m used to, but I can feel the difference.

I think when M&S measured me, they suggested underwiring & probably I said no - and they didn’t push it. Either this lady was more insistent, or I was more open to listening.