Question: Preventing Frost Bite

[jamesrc51]

Has anyone used kinesiology tape (KT Tape) to prevent frostbite on your face?

I found the following in an article and was looking for real world validation. 

Thanks, 

Jim 

Tape/Vaseline/Dermatone. Exposed skin will freeze quickly in below or near zero temperatures, especially if there is wind blowing or you are moving fast. Your skin on your cheekbones and nose will take the brunt of the wind so it is important to have a layer of something between the air and the skin. Depending how cold it is, a thick layer of Vaseline or Dermatone could do the trick. If you need total protection, for really cold, consider using Kinesio tape or regular athletic tape (duct tape will work too but can be painful to pull off). Put strips on your cheek bones and down your nose. Sunglasses will be key too as your eyes will freeze- it is VERY painful.

[nicholas hardrath]

I've heard the opposite with Vaseline- it can open up your pores and make frostbite more likely. Just cover your skin with warmth like a balaclava, handkerchief or gaiter.  I use this one from Smartwool and rode on my bike today and was plenty warm.  This combined with a pair of ski goggles for the coldest of days is fantastic. 
http://www.smartwool.com/kids-neck-gaiter-2.html

Another question, why on Earth would you cover your face with tape before just wearing something warm!?

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[Anthony Schwaller]

Hi All, 

    I have used Aquaphor to cover skin. This is a very common practice amongst veteran ski racers. I usually use this in conjunction with a buff or balaclava that covers most of my face. I apply it liberally. With the extreme low temps possible this weekend at the Noque, I will likely be using tape on the nose and cheeks. 

Ski goggles, unfortunately, will fog up badly in a XC ski race. The key to avoiding fog is air movement behind the lens. No anti fog material made will work without air movement. 

My experience has been that goggles used at the lower speeds with a balaclava or something over the face will restrict air movement behind the goggle lens and they will quickly fog. Also there is a ton of body heat venting up through a buff, balaclava or whatever and into the goggles which will make this worse. On a bike, motorcycle, snowmobile or Alpine skiing this is a different story. Plenty of air movement. Air movement behind the lenses will obviously add cold air but a ski shield or sun glasses placed a bit away from the face will help protect the eyes from freezing and have a better chance of not fogging and inevitably frosting up. If you end up taking off the steamed up goggles they won't protect you at all. 

My 2 cents. Tony

Anthony Schwaller 

Paceline Construction LLC 

92c Lincoln St 

Elkhart Lake WI, 53073 

Office: 920-876-4025

Fax: 920-876-4020

www.pacelineconstruction.com

visit us on Facebook. 

http://www.facebook.com/PacelineConstruction

[James Broennimann]

Thanks for the recommendations, I’m going up to the Noque w/ all three like Tony suggests and picking up a wool buff. I’ll try them with a pre race ski. Again thanks!!