Shin Guard irritation on ankles?

[AJA51385]

Hi all, I really wasn't sure which forum this would fit into, but I figured it was more equipment-related than anything else.

For the past couple years as the season has progressed, I have developed a nasty-looking rash or irritation mark on the front of my lower ankle, just above where it meets the foot. The irritation is more pronounced on my left ankle than the right, but it has impacted both. See picture of left ankle below -- not a current photo, but from after the busy spring season. Getting back behind the plate for fall ball the past couple weeks brought the issue back to front of mind.

I know it must have something to do with the way I crouch into position behind the plate, but my question is, has anyone else experienced this? And if so, any suggestions on how to combat it? I'm planning to buy new shin guards for next spring anyway as mine are really showing age, however aside from the specific guards (which, granted, may be something to consider), I was wondering if anyone typically tapes their ankles or engages in some other procedure to protect against this. I've tried band-aids with maybe some success, but limited.

I may also want to re-evaluate the way I crouch into position, but that will take some practice.

Any and all thought/suggestions are welcome -- again, I didn't know where to go with this, but hopefully a forum of fellow umpires can provide some feedback!

[gnhbua93]

What shin guards are you using?

[AJA51385]

A relatively cheap pair of Rawlings guards. See photo attached. I don't even know the model -- I got a terrific deal on them and a couple other items nearly four years ago from a retiring umpire, but they're starting to outlive their usefulness. I'm just getting them through the fall season at this point.

[udbrky]

Wear longer socks. The Force3's are super comfortable. I had some Wilsons and they were too big, so I got the smaller F3's and they're a lot more comfortable. I wear knee high compression socks and they keep my calves tight and provide a layer of protection from the straps.

[Jimurray]

Compression tights might fit the bill if they cover that area, which they should. Aside, compression tights wick moisture, keep you warm in winter and cool in summer and let the plywools slide instead instead of catch and they get the moisture which lets the poly wools go longer without a wash. . Why you would wear long socks instead of compression tights, which have a cup pocket, I don't know.

[udbrky]

I wear compression socks, I tried compression pants, but didn't like it.

 

Does the NB fit in the tights cup pocket? Didn't think it fit well in anything that isn't theirs.

[Thunderheads]

OK, what size are those shin guards and how tall are you??  That SHOULD NOT be happening at all!

[Mister B]

Make sure your shin guards are clean and dry. I've been trying to give my a quick spray of disinfectant and then a couple minutes in the sun after I take them off. Same with my CP. 

[Sut'n Blue]

 

Maybe there's something else going on. Consider calling your doc.

[Mudisfun]

What type plate shoes are you using? Maybe think about changing to a higher top shoe?

I have mid-tops so the bottom of the guards rest on the shoe and not my skin when in the crouch.

[JoHart10]

4 hours ago, Mudisfun said:

What type plate shoes are you using? Maybe think about changing to a higher top shoe?

I have mid-tops so the bottom of the guards rest on the shoe and not my skin when in the crouch.

To piggy back off what he said. Your shoes could be the problem to. For me the recent NB plates rubbed the top of my ankle something fierce. Got rid of those, got rid of the problem. 

[maineump]

22 hours ago, AJA51385 said:

A relatively cheap pair of Rawlings guards. See photo attached. I don't even know the model -- I got a terrific deal on them and a couple other items nearly four years ago from a retiring umpire, but they're starting to outlive their usefulness. I'm just getting them through the fall season at this point.

It looks like the padding on the bottom is dried out and cracked. I would guess the padding on the back is in bad shape too? Time to replace the pads, or wear socks that have some padding. Did those abrasions get infected??

[Replacematt]

2 hours ago, Mudisfun said:

What type plate shoes are you using? Maybe think about changing to a higher top shoe?

I have mid-tops so the bottom of the guards rest on the shoe and not my skin when in the crouch.

Even with lows, this shouldn't be happening. The tongue should be between the shin and the guard.

AJA51385, are you using actual umpire shoes?

[Aging_Arbiter]

IT'S NOT A TOOMAH!!!!!

Edited September 15, 2016 by Aging_Arbiter
edited for spelling. I forgot the apostrophe in "it's"

[JaxRolo]

Never seen that happen to anybody. You need to give up doing the plate. If it happens when you are on the bases then you have bigger issues!

[JimKirk]

I'm not sure if this is shin guard or socks related. Never seen rubbing of shin guards in that spot. If it was shin guard related, then definitely you need to get a different/new pair of socks, second pair of socks (or rub some vaseline in that area before putting on your socks) and/or a get new pair of shin guards to cut down on whatever is causing that.

But it could be a medical thing. Possibly eczema...or head-induced eczema...a condition that flares up with me every other year with exercise of long duration in the heat in the ankles and elbows. I would see a dermatologist if there is nothing obvious on the back of that shin guard that would rub in such an extreme way or if the above fixes do not work. For my condition, what works best is to simply keep the area dry (i.e. don't sit around after activity in wet socks and/or use a foot powder such as Gold Bond in your socks before activity.)

I'm just speculating and certainly not giving medical advice via UE but I hope that helps. Not everything is gear related. I wouldn't mind seeing the inside view of those shin guards just to double-check.

[AJA51385]

On 9/14/2016 at 8:01 AM, Thunderheads said:

OK, what size are those shin guards and how tall are you??  That SHOULD NOT be happening at all!

Not sure of the exact measurement but in researching at one point, they are the smaller size out of the dimensions generally offered. I am about 5-8.

[AJA51385]

On 9/14/2016 at 3:49 PM, Mudisfun said:

What type plate shoes are you using? Maybe think about changing to a higher top shoe?

I have mid-tops so the bottom of the guards rest on the shoe and not my skin when in the crouch.

I use the 3N2 low-top plate shoes and love the comfort and ease of mobility in them. Higher-tops might help, but from the responses here I'm thinking the issues have more to do with my shin guard situation as well as perhaps my socks.

[AJA51385]

Thanks everyone for the helpful responses. Taking all the suggestions in the context of my situation, I definitely think there's an issue with my shin guards -- wearing down of the lower padding as well as perhaps their length. I'll definitely be replacing them prior to next spring's season and have a feeling that once I have a new pair, I'll wish I'd done so sooner.

As for socks, right now I use regular long cotton socks pulled up over my shins and knee length compression shorts, which I typically tuck into the top of my socks. Maybe I'll look into another material of sock, too, as I doubt it helps the situation to have moisture building up in that area and rubbing against the skin at the same time as I'm constantly crouching up and down.

To answer some of the other questions, no the area is not infected but yes, I have had small cases of eczema in the past (generally on my hands), so there's that. I may be more susceptible to something like this, but it's clearly equipment/gear-related vs. purely medical since it responds to treatment and mostly clears up over the winter. All that said, will be bringing it up next time I'm at the doctor.

And no, JaxRolo, unfortunately I don't think my assigners would look kindly on a bases-only umpire, so I'll stick with solving the problem!

[Thunderheads]

9 hours ago, AJA51385 said:

Not sure of the exact measurement but in researching at one point, they are the smaller size out of the dimensions generally offered. I am about 5-8.

you need to understand what size you need and size your leg guards accordingly.  My original assumption was that your leg guards are too small for you, and thus, too tight down low....

[JaxRolo]

Shin guards maybe full of bacteria! Hose them down and disinfect thoroughly !

[JimKirk]

8 hours ago, Thunderheads said:

you need to understand what size you need and size your leg guards accordingly.  My original assumption was that your leg guards are too small for you, and thus, too tight down low....

This was Scott Kennedy's initial thought when we discussed this.

Could be a combination of things, as the original poster mentioned (still think there is that eczema issue creeping in and could be that the shin guards are irritating that area just enough to get that reaction out of you and to that degree where someone else it may not...and it may not be so much irritation as it is heat OR both.).

On the socks, something with wicking materials/treatment rather than cotton may also help.

If you are looking for the authority of sizing for umpire shin guards including that you will need an additional 1 1/2" or so for low-cuts....and a buying guide to help decide on the best replacement, see these 2 links:
https://www.ump-attire.com/fitting-room.html#SHIN-GUARDS
http://www.ump-attire.com/Buyers-Guide/Umpire-Shin-Guards-Buying-Guide

Best of luck!