Swollen Head--Really
 

This may seem like a weird topic but it happened to me. This weekend I participated in a Century ride. I wore the same helmet that I have had for a year and had no issues with.
My forehead was starting to kill me in 2 spots. I took it off and asked a fellow rider if I had a bee sting there. He said that I had two purple whelps but it looked like helmet marks. At that point, I noticed that my helmet was feeling far tighter than normal. (It took 2 days for that swelling to go down. It was 2 dime sized spots).
I did neglect to put on sunscreen. I was cramping a lot during the ride so I was probably dehydrated. I have never had my head swell though. Prior to going to work this morning, I put my helmet on to test my theory. It fit fine and did not rub in that spot.
I am not Barry Bonds so my cranium did not swell to that degree but I was curious if there is enough swelling from heat exposure or dehydration to cause this. Anybody else experience this?

had to mention (just because it struck me so funny) that whelp(s) is a noun that refers to a puppy, or a verb when referring to a female dog's birthing process. i think the OP meant welt.

don't be alarmed OP, it happens to the best of us. :thumb:

OTOH, the 'fellow rider' may have actually said 'whelps'... in which case you're off the hook, and my sincere apologies. :)

Whelp, isn't your helmet adjustable? Sorry, I couldn't help it...

Did you get any compliments before the ride?

This is a common symptom resulting from drafting behind a very cute and shapely female. Stick to the males with a hairy ass and thin bibs and it won't happen again.

This happens to me when I get really hot (dehydrated) - sunglasses, ski goggles and helmet, hats, etc. I try to keep hydrated to beat that, but it does still happen from time to time.

Go Gators!

Yep. Sometimes on a long hot climb it feels like my head will explode. I also think it's dehydration.

hey! i've got enough people tailing me as it is. don't encourage them.

I truly did not realize it was my helmet until the last stage. At that point I adjusted it. The next question is, if it takes me that long to figure it out, why bother wearing the helmet. It clearly isn't protecting much.
I wish. I do have a vivid imagination though.
I will take the blame as I wrote it. You are correct though.
now you are scaring me as I was with a group of men.
Big game this weekend.

Bike curious?

shuffleman, you wrote:

"I truly did not realize it was my helmet until the last stage. At that point I adjusted it. The next question is, if it takes me that long to figure it out, why bother wearing the helmet. It clearly isn't protecting much."

A cycling helmet protects your brain, so I'd say that's a lot. It does so while allowing air circulation and ventilation. I wouldn't ride without one and while mountain biking Sunday, I went over the bars and broke my helmet. I was glad I had it on, it did it's job because it's better to break open the helmet than your skull. I already have a new helmet and will wear it.

Last thought about your original question, I'm thinking maybe your helmet was too loose and moved around ever so slightly?

Only if it is a De Rosa. That may do it.
I was only joking about not wearing a helmet. It was my way of saying that there is not much to protect in the way of a brain since I did not think of adjusting it. I do not think that the helmet was too loose. I honestly think that it may be border line too tight. When I got dehydrated perhaps I bloated a little causing the helmet to dig in to my cranium at those two contact points. Either way, my "horns" are now gone and all is good.

Ah, haha, thanks for the explanation, I get it now.
I said "too loose" thinking your helmet was moving slightly and rubbing on those two spots?
I'm glad your better.

While the view isn't as good, the drafting is normally better.

GH