Here are a few tips to prevent and treat annoying chafed skin…

I’ve heard some of my girlfriend call chafed skin, ‘chub rub’…

Whatever you call it, it’s an annoying problem many people face, depending on where you live.

I usually experience this when it’s extra hot and humid, like this month. Must be 41c outside today!

Where does chafed skin usually happen?

For me, it’s the skin on the inner thighs because of constant friction.

This is a bigger problem for my larger friends, but chafing on the inner thighs can happen to all people.

This brings a rash on the inner thighs that may become lumpy, sting, or even bleed.

What can you do if your thighs rub when walking? 

If you experience your thighs rubbing together when walking, you know it can often lead to chafing.

In some severe cases, your skin can swell or even bleed. This can also occur when you wear a skirt, particularly in humid, hot weather. 

Keep yourself clean

Clean the affected area gently with soap and water. Washing the affected area is especially important if you have been sweating or exercising. In such cases, you need to remove the sweat by washing with mild soap and water before you treat the skin.

Soothe and dry the affected area

Next, make sure the area is dry. Use a clean towel to pat until properly dry. Don’t rub the irritated area with your towel.

This could worsen the chafing and lead to further irritation. Leave the area exposed and uncovered so that it gets some fresh air while you are sleeping at night. This can speed up the healing process. 

Moisturizing helps my chafed skin

After cleaning the affected skin, I like to use moisturizer and I often lightly powder using a special cooling talc I borrow from my husband. He swears by it. So I thought I’d give it a try.

It has menthol in the powder that helps.

This helps reduce friction on my skin. Especially when I sleep.

However, if the skin is crusted or bleeding then the menthol might irritate further.

How long does chafed skin take to recover?

Chafed skin will heal within a few days if you solve the thing that’s causing it. If you aren’t able to completely stop the activity that caused the chafing, make sure to take preventive measures. 

While the affected skin is recovering:

  • Don’t clean chafed skin using iodine or hydrogen peroxide, as these chemicals may interfere with healing. Instead, clean using water and mild soap. 
  • Don’t use harsh soaps or shower in hot water, as both may make your skin dry and more prone to damage. 
  • Always pat your skin dry; rubbing can make chafed skin worse. 
  • Use a cold pack or ice for a short time to ease the pain. Make sure to pat your skin dry after you are done. 
  • Give the affected area some time to heal before you are active again. Continuous friction from rubbing legs can worsen the chafed skin and result in infection. 

If your symptoms don’t improve after trying self-care measures, visit your doctor. If there are signs and symptoms of infection, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic cream or ointment. They may also prescribe a steroidal ointment in severe cases to heal and soothe the skin faster. 

How to prevent chafed skin

It is very simple to prevent chafed skin, though it can take time and attention. If you regularly participate in activities that cause your inner thighs to rub together, it may be hard to prevent the occurrence of chafed skin completely. You can take steps to decrease its severity, though. To prevent chafed skin, try to reduce the friction between the skin of your inner thighs. 

Here are a few things you can try to prevent chafed skin:

Anti-chafe stick

Apply an anti-chafe stick or petroleum jelly to the inner thighs for lubrication. Lubricants may help reduce friction on your skin. Petroleum jelly is widely available and inexpensive. Several kinds of lubricants and anti-chafe sticks are available as over-the-counter products. You may need to try a couple of products before finding the anti-chafe stick that works best for you. 

Stay dry

Excess moisture can make chafed skin worse. Before heading outdoors, apply alum or talcum powder to your inner thighs. Powders help wick away moisture from your skin. Remove your swimsuit shortly after getting out of the swimming pool to keep the wet, tight fabric off your skin. This applies to wet clothes of any kind.

Do yourself a favour, wear appropriate clothing

When you exercise, wear clothes that fit you properly. Big baggy clothing can cause friction and could cause skin chafing. The clothes should be moisture wicking if possible. Fabrics such as cotton retain moisture and sweat and may keep the skin damp. This increases the risk of friction.

You should wear clothes that breathe and let the sweat evaporate off your skin.

Never go home from the gym in wet clothing.

If your gym doesn’t have showers or you don’t like using them, at least change into fresh clothes after your gym session.

You can wear sport-specific clothes such as running tights, as they may protect your skin when you are exercising.

You can also wear bike shorts under a skirt to prevent your inner thighs from rubbing together.

You must stay hydrated

Last but not least, you must drink plenty of water before, after, and during exercise.

I know you’ve heard it before. But I can’t stress this enough.

If you can’t bring yourself to drink plain old water, add something to it like a splash of gin!!

Haha, only kidding…

But how about some lemon juice?

Or as I do, half a pack of electrolyte powder.

There are many benefits of drinking water. You’re flushing all the nasties out of your body from the over-indulgent night before. And your skin will love you for it.

I must go through about 4 or 5 x 1.5-liter bottles of water every day.

Plus, when you keep hydrated, you help keep your sweat from drying and turning into crystals of salt, which may worsen the chafed skin condition. 

Hope this has helped…

 

Anyhow, its time for my yoga session…

I hope you enjoyed reading these tips.

You know you love to feel clean,

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