You could be travelling or on vacation and you suddenly realise you have a pain in your body. You have been walking, running, wearing tight clothing or cycling and your thighs have been rubbing together. In effect you have been chafing.
It’s Painful To Even Walk
Chafing is when your skin rubs against another part of your skin. It can also happen when your skin rubs against your clothing. It’s happened to me on numerous occasions. It’s painful and it makes it difficult to walk.
On one occasion it got so bad, that I had to get my daughter to come and pick me up in the car because I could feel the raw skin rubbing.
Use Fabrics That Avoid Friction And Irritation
One way to avoid this is to choose clothes made from materials like polyester, nylon, or synthetic blends. These fabrics pull sweat away from your skin, reducing friction and irritation.
Also, avoid tight clothes that rub against your skin. Go for looser-fitting clothing that allows for airflow and prevents chafing.
Go For Looser-Fitting Clothing – It Helps A Lot
Sometimes chafing is known as “chub rub” which implies it only happens to overweight people. Don’t be fooled, it happens to people of all shapes and sizes, men and women.
Seams and tags can act as sandpaper, so look for clothes with flatlock seams or seamless designs. Consider cutting out tags if needed.
Shoes Can Cause Blisters And Chafing
Lastly, shoes can cause blisters and chafing on your feet. Make sure your shoes fit well and provide adequate support.
The simple answer is to avoid doing things where your legs come in contact with each other, like some of the activities mentioned above. But once the damage has been done, what can you do?
I usually clean the area of the body with warm water, pat the skin dry and apply talcum powder on the area before going to bed. That helps to soothe the pain and alleviate the problem by the morning.
But some people warn against this remedy, saying that it can be cancerous, though I don’t believe this has been proven. I have erred on caution and have stopped using this method.
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Here is a List of Other Remedies:
- Petroleum Jelly, Vaseline, Aquaphor helps with chafing by preventing further irritation.
- Cornstarch is good at absorbing extra moisture from the skin and to reduce itching. It can also prevent further friction and irritation
- Aloe Vera reduces inflammation and irritation. You can take a leaf, squeeze the gel out and apply it on your skin. Aloe Vera soothes burns and any other wounds that you may have. You can also get it online or in a pharmacy
- Shea Butter lotion can soften your skin. It also can help heal your skin with its anti-inflammatory agents.
OTHER TIPS
- Stay dry: Keep your skin clean and dry by showering or wiping sweat away regularly, especially after exercise.
- Lose weight: If you’re overweight or obese, chafing is more likely to occur. Losing weight can help reduce friction and chafing.
- Maintain good hygiene: Use gentle, unscented soaps and avoid harsh chemicals that can irritate your skin.
REMEDY
If the skin develops an open sore or blister, it is best NOT to apply any lotion until the skin develops a protective barrier. Otherwise see a doctor.