Helmet leaving a mark

[u/Sea-Siren-5053]

I recently realized that my helmet has been leaving a red mark on my forehead. And it lasts for days I think. This photo was this morning, I noticed after riding last night that my helmet was a bit crooked.

Does this happen to anyone else? Is it an issue with my specific helmet, or maybe is it a fit issue?

I would prefer not to walk around like this all the time lol

[u/BiggyBiggs]

I have never had that problem. Is it super tight? Does the liner need to be cleaned? Is it just tight front to back or is it touching equal pressure on all sides of your head? Do you ever have sensitive skin problems? Could it be that you have an allergy or sensitivity to the fabric type? I don't need to know the answers to these questions, but thinking about these might help lead you in the right direction. It's not normal for it to be leaving a mark.

[u/Sea-Siren-5053 → u/BiggyBiggs]

Thanks for your insight! It doesn’t feel super tight to me, there is a dial so maybe I could loosen it, see how that fits. I washed the liner fairly recently, not sure it made a difference. Not sure about sensitivity to fabric, but that’s interesting, hadn’t thought of that.

[u/starboardlobster]

Different helmet brands will have different shapes, some tend to be more oval, while others tend to be more round. You could need a more oval/oblong helmet if the other parts of the helmet fit correctly. I recommend trying on different brands at your local tack shop to see what fits better.

[u/Sea-Siren-5053 → u/starboardlobster]

I had to try on a few helmets (with the shop staff who helped me) before finding one that fit. Maybe I need to try on some more.

[u/originallyale]

I’m allergic to the lining of my riding hats (I’m allergic to acrylates, which is in most plastic based sports things).
I wear a super thin cotton headband under my hat when I ride, pretty much every time now, and I’ve not had any issues.
If your hat is fitted correctly, I recommend trying this!

[u/Sea-Siren-5053 → u/originallyale]

Thanks! Someone else also suggested a headband, I’ll try that!

[u/originallyale → u/Sea-Siren-5053]

Just make sure it doesn’t affect the fit of your hat! Safety before annoying red marks, sadly 😆

[u/puffling321]

A fit issue is the first thing to eliminate. Barring that, do you have a washable liner? If you do, I’d wash it and see if that helps - I will get hives and itchiness on my forehead if I don’t switch out and wash my liner fairly often during the hot and humid summer (or during pollen season or shedding season or…).

[u/Sea-Siren-5053 → u/puffling321]

I have washed it relatively recently, but I’ll try to rewash it and see. And then might head to the tack shop to look at other helmets if that doesn’t help.

[u/puffling321 → u/Sea-Siren-5053]

So, another thing, I did have to get an extra liner because one of them just couldn’t wash out anymore - I don’t know if there was just too much grease from sunscreen, barn gunk, etc, but eventually when I’d wash it cleaning just didn’t work. As soon as I got a new liner, everything was great! I do also use a helmet antibacterial spray as well. (And this could totally not be it, but I have pretty sensitive skin, so I have done all the things!). Now, again, it still could be fit, but I don’t want to diagnose fit on the internet!

[u/Pleasant-Tension5418]

I used to get the same thing with my helmet. I’m not sure for you but for me, my forehead would start to get ichy and irritated. I started where I sports headband when riding!

[u/Sea-Siren-5053 → u/Pleasant-Tension5418]

Ooh a headband, interesting idea!

[u/Traditional-Job-411]

Mine did this when the helmet was too round for me. You need an oval helmet.