Just got back from a long trip. My wife had a bad reaction to the helmet liner to the point we had to take it out. We tried the do rags, no hair sprays, baseball cap.

I'm asking if anyone knows of a helmet with a liner not made of nylon or anyone thats overcome this problem?

 

Boxer uses cotton as the liner in their helmets.

 

It seems like your wife was wearing a helmet (short ?, 3/4 ?, full ?) during a long ? trip.
At some point in the trip she developed some discomfort.
Was this a new helmet for her?
You report a bad reaction that i will take a guess was itching?
It would seem that she attempted to stop the use of hair sprays and attempted to use a barrier like a baseball cap or do rag between her head and the helmet.
I guess she was thinking it was because of the liner in the helmet.
I would imagine that sweating made it worse.
If it was a contact allergy then the itching would be isolated to contact areas thus the question regarding helmet style.
If this was a new helmet then it is possible that a contact allergy would present anytime from first contact to 2 or 3 days into your trip.
Once a contact allergy is initiated the irritation would continue but it could take several days to a week or two to resolve.
While further exposure might initiate a faster allergy response.
I will take a guess that no allergy medications were initiated (over the counter or other).
You may wish to consider reviewing if she was allergic to the adhesive, nylon cloth or the soft cushion foam in the liner.
A dermatologist would conduct a patch, checker board looking test..It is basically a tiny piece of the suspect material taped to the back shoulder blade area for about two days.
If you obtain a response (rash)... then they confirm the offender...sometimes it is not the item itself but instead how it was processed (chemicals) or what dyes were used to manufacture the product .
I went through such a situation many many many years ago after much frustration.
For example : potassium chromates are used to treat leather... a motorcycle rider would get redness on their hands (unlined leather gloves) and feet (unlined leather boots) very easily.
In this case if the offender was the liner then a chemical or item might be isolated.
You might be able to isolate if it was the soft foam, actual nylon covering the foam or some glue.
Seems like you isolated the problem to the liner..so now you just need to isolate it a little further.
On a side note: Cycle gear is very good about helmet exchange with something like a 7 day policy if one is close to you.
See if they have something with a hypo allergenic liner.
She might be reacting to some anti-stink coating on the liner..wonder if you could get it to wash-out in the washer.
Best of luck.

 

I've been using Barnes-Gibson skull caps under helmet for last 10 years those are made of cotton and also reduce wind noise and helmet goes easy on your head just like putting shoes on with or without sock.Visit their web site they are the major supplier of aviation supplies.

 

I have nice thick hair.
Don't think its the liner...but the hair!
Hair mashed down against the skull is un-natural.
Its supposed to be free!

I also go on long rides and get the itch.
I have a very old helmet that was the worst of the bunch due to it being a cheap helmet w/ not much of a liner or padding.


I have two HD helmets: Full face and half helmet. The half helmet is older and I get the itch. The full face is nice...the padding is great. Doesn't eliminate the itch.


I found...for me...that switching helmets takes the itch out or helps during long rides..
Ill try anything.
Thanks for the skull cap suggestion!

 

What make/model helmet? Cheap crap or a brand-name helmet SNELL helmet without compromises?

Try looking up "The Buff" - not sure what it's made of, but pretty cool.

 

I have had itch from time to time on long rides. I think it is due to sweat, dirt and bacteria accumulating in the helmet liner. My helmet has a removable liner. I take it out, wash it thoroughly with Woolite then RINSE it out completely and let it air dry. That has fixed the problem every time.

 

http://www.comeauxcaps.com i use a welders cap under the helmet. i think they're all cotton.

 

My wife tried everything to cure helmet itch. What we finally realized is that her helmet wasn't a perfect fit. A tiny amount of movement in the helmet fit created an itch that almost seemed like a reaction.
Long story short, a new, different style, better fitting helmet cured the itch.

 

the slightest, constant movement of a helmet can cause irritation over time. Once irritated, removing the helmet for a break will feel good, put it back on and problem comes back fast. can take several days for irritation to go away only to start over again next long ride. a proper fitting helmet, when you try to move it, it moves the skin.
So can dried sweat (remove the liner and wash)