The term "nipple shield" is, in my opinion, wildly inaccurate. It actually shields the areola, leaving the nipple itself exposed. Held in place by a bar which pierces the nipple, this so-called "nipple shield" has been reduced to ceremonial value.
I propose something entirely utilitarian - a nipple guard that actually protects nipples (pierced or otherwise) from the curious but strong hands of infants, wrestling opponents, geese, tourists, and the like.
The nipple guard would consist of a gently rounded hard plastic shell with a soft plastic rim. A pack of double-sided adhesive gaskets would securely fasten the guard to your skin, much like the adhesive used in nicotine patches.
Trust me, your nipples will thank you for this.-- justaguy, May 24 2005 Baked. The website for the "Dukes of Havasu" warns us........ http://www.dukesofh...uploads/Pasties.jpg........that we're "going to be seeing a lot of pasties this summer". [normzone, May 24 2005] Nipple Armour http://www.propierc...ipplearmourOSR.html [calum, May 24 2005] Nippits http://www.nippits.comI've tried these. They're ideal as substitutes for bras, rather than as protection, though. And they kinda hurt to remove. :P [XSarenkaX, May 24 2005] Pastease http://www.pastease.comThese are the fun utilitarian version of what you're talking about here. Perfect for sheer tops. Even better as swimwear. The Dukes of Havasu is right. Pastease are everywhere out there in the summer. Theres a guy that drives around a pontoon boat selling Pastease and pizza every weekend. He may have invented the perfect job. [Pastease, Dec 22 2005] Protective pasties.-- krelnik, May 24 2005 That's what I was hoping for, but I haven't seen any yet...-- justaguy, May 24 2005 Just as long as they're for guys.-- bristolz, May 24 2005 I had a girlfriend once that wore Dixie cups at the beach. That was sort of interesting...-- ldischler, May 24 2005 Never have I had an idea so happily baked.-- justaguy, May 24 2005 Would "Nippits" help you out with your problem, [justaguy]? (See link.)-- XSarenkaX, May 24 2005 Who said it was my problem? Cough cough sputter...Nipple rings! Why, I never!-- justaguy, May 24 2005 Definate bun for this one! (+) As a person with my nipple pierced i can see the potential for this. Was cuddling my cat this morning when something startled it, it jumped and caught its claw on my piercing. Needless to say Velcro is lucky he's still alive. I'll take 2.-- gorjabuble, May 24 2005 Handy for marathon runners, who sometimes experience acute discomfort when their running singlets abrade the skin from their nipples.-- UnaBubba, May 24 2005 yooww. I don't want to be around when you actually want to take them off.-- neilp, May 25 2005 I once went clubbing wearing a rough wool shirt (don't ask) and nearly lost my nipples forever. These would have saved much pain.-- wagster, May 25 2005 "Why's [wags] dancing that way?" "Oh, he's wearing his hair shirt today."-- UnaBubba, May 25 2005 I suppose decorative versions could be made as well, or perhaps a Beefeter design might make a good logo.-- justaguy, May 25 2005 I was afraid to click on this idea for about an hour.-- notmarkflynn, Dec 22 2005 Once, when I was a kid I wanted to know if Cats really hated Dogs, so I took my cat downstairs, to my grandparents Dog Buck (now long dead), the cat, clawed me, and actually got it's claw stuck under my skin! I had to wrench it out as the car squirmed to get away! I always get my moles caught on something I don't know why... I've got a mole on my neck that sticks out funny because my little sister yanked it open with her finger nail! Also there's a funny looking mole where the cat got me :P .-- EvilPickels, Dec 22 2005 halfbakery