Chafing is very painful, irritating, and feels like the skin is raw, especially in cold weather. A lot of women specifically develop chafing in the inner thigh area, which can cause rashes and fungal growth.
What is Chafing?
When referring to chafing in the physical sense, it means to constantly and abrasively rub against something, resulting in the skin becoming sore. It can also result in the skin becoming raw, and even infected with fungus and/or rashes.
What Causes Chafing on the Skin?
Some of the more common causes of skin chafing may be:
* Wearing clothing that does not fit properly – Whether clothes are worn too tightly or too loosely, both result in the material abrasively rubbing against the skin, especially in the inner thigh area
* Excessive sweat and moisture buildup with no absorption – On hot and humid days where we may wear tank tops can result in chafing very easily. There is not anything to absorb the moisture. If there is no stubble under the arm, there is nothing to capture the moisture, resulting in wet skin rubbing together. This applies to the inner thigh as well. Even if there is hair present under the arms, the moisture is captured by the hair, but then there is the friction of the hair rubbing against the skin.
* Heat and Humidity – When the weather is hot and the humidity index is high everyone sweats. When the skin is wet and soft, bacteria grows quickly and extensively, resulting in skin that is irritated, raw, and possibly infected.
* Synthetic Fabrics – Synthetic fabrics do not allow air circulation for the skin to breathe. The moisture remains on the skin, causing bacteria to fester and grow, which can cause infection.
* Excessive Fat in an Area – REgardless of weight, if there is excessive fat in an area like the inner thighs cause chafing by rubbing against each other with great friction.
How to Prevent Chafing
*Wear Comfortable Clothing that Appropriately Fits the Body – When clothing fits properly, there is no discomfort and the fabric is covering and protecting the skin, rather than rubbing against it. Denim is a popular culprit for chafing, and wearing jeans that fit properly make wearing them a much more comfortable experience.
*Wear Natural Fabrics – While synthetic fabrics like polyester, acrylic, and nylon are stronger and more durable, natural fibers like cotton, wool, silk and flax (linen) allow air circulation throughout the fabric, allowing the skin to breathe. Even natural and synthetic blended fabrics are very advantageous because the fabric will have the breathability of the natural fiber, and the strength and durability of the synthetic one.
*Keep Skin Clean and Dry – Moisture and dirt are breeding grounds for bacteria and fungus. Shower regularly and use a deodorant an antiperspirant with a low aluminum content to minimize perspiration (while the deodorant still allows sweating, the balmy texture will coat, soothe and protect the skin from moisture). Also, when finished with exercising in socks and running or basketball shoes, go barefoot after showering to allow the feet to thoroughly dry.
*Avoid Tight Pants and Underwear – For both women and men, pants and underwear that are tight in the crotch produce a lot of moisture not only in the inner thigh region (which brings on the chafing), but also with the vulvar area around the vagina and around the testicular region in men. The moisture coupled with the constriction of the tight clothing and undergarments leads to severe chafing when walking, sitting or running.
*Use Skin Protectants – Anti-fungal powders and creams are ideal for protecting the skin from chafing. Petroleum Jelly and body butters like cocoa butter and shea butter are widely used for protecting the skin.
Chafing is extremely common, but very irritating and it can be painful. When chafing does occur, make sure to keep the area thoroughly cleaned and protected. Avoid any powder if the skin is already chafed. It will make the skin dry, resulting in more irritability for the area.
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Few days ago I had red rashes on my arm. I was so worried and I ran to visit the Doctor. After that I found out about chafing. It was scary but after proper ointment all good now. Thanks for prevention tips.
I like to run marathons so chafing is very common in between my legs. I should try using a cream!
I’m going to have to try this!! ever time I go to Florida I go alot of places with a really good friend of mine and it never fails we both get super chaffed!
I suffered from Chafing many time in the past. I will follow your prevention tips. Thank you!
I know I get it because of some of the shirts I wear, Often a shirt will fit me every where but around the top of my arms, close to the arm pit and it hurts, I am always having to wear just plain tshirts because of this issue and medication my Dr has prescribed for me.
@tisonlyme143
Great advice! I suffer from chafing often and it can be painful~these are just the tips I needed!
I get some chafing during the summer and it hurts. Thank you for the tips!
I can get chafing under my breasts in the summer. I can avoid it if I wear a bra, but I hate wearing bras.
Definitely some helpful tips! I do have some chafing, and it really gets uncomfortable. While I can’t completely control the too much fat in the area (thats a work in progress!) the other things I can work on by following some of the helpful tips you listed.
Great tips on preventing this! Thank you!
I thought I was just chafing once and it turned out to be a fungal infection. I’d never go a day without my anti-fungal spray now.
Great advice, thanks for sharing!
i get this in the summer.. i hate it!
I often suffer from chafing on my arms in the summer months. These tips will come in handy!
I’ve suffered a stroke. Having a “dead” arm brings chafing to a whole new level. I alternate between an anti-fungal and a “diaper” rash cream.
This happens to me every summer, especially if we go somewhere that involves a lot of walking!
I suffer chafing here often due to heat here in AZ. thanks for the tips here. Not easy !!!
I have horrible chafing under my arms! It really is no fun!
Thank you for the useful information. Chafing is a huge issue for me during the Summer months. I have to be vigilant about prevention or I suffer for it.
i walk a lot at my work chaffing is awful
I use skin protectant a lot.
These are very helpful prevention of chafing tips. I’ve experienced it a few times and it is not fun. My son has issues because he skis a lot and wears tight long underwear in layers. He has come to me often for suggestions, I will be passing this along.
Synthetic fabrics are the worst if you have sensitive skin. I stopped wearing them a long time ago.
these are great tips! thanks for sharing bc it really does make a workout or an adventure miserable to deal with chafing
Luckily I don’t really have a problem with chafing and i use bath creams and ointments.
My skin gets so dry in our Vermont winters my skin just sucks up lotion.
Thanks for the article and the tips to prevent chafing.
Great post and one so many of us will or have experienced at some time. Thanks for sharing!
I like these tips. I employ many of them and find they are effective.
My skin is so dry that I have never chaffed. But I must say, this was a very informative post.
this is great advice, i also work outside in the yard in the summer and it gets bad then too
I tend to chafe in the hot summer time. You made some good points on how I can help prevent it is this year.
I tend to get Charing several times a year so thanks for sharing your tips they sound AWESOME and I will be trying them the next time it happens
You’ve got some really helpful tips listed here! Thanks!
It’s weird that after winter when I start wearing sleeveless tops I get chafing under the back of my arms for the first couple weeks. I tried using sensitive laundry detergent and it does help.
Great article. I know the pain of chafing. I tried putting deodorant in the area and it really helps. I gained weight and have to wear diapers some times and had it bad under my stomach. After I tried deodorant it really helped. I have lost a lot of weight but still stuck with the diapers at times because of stomach problems caused by bad surgery. So I still get it when it’s really hot. Thanks for sharing.
Definitely a problem for me in the summer. the heat & sweat causes chaffing & a rash. thank you for the helpful tips.