Chafing is characterized by irritated sore skin on the inner thighs and sometimes even blistering caused by the combination of constant friction and excessive sweating. But if you think that chafing is a problem only overweight people can relate to, you couldn’t be more wrong. Even if you’re fit and have slender legs, physical activity like jogging and cycling or a long workout in the gym not wearing the right clothes can get you chafed thighs for sure.
We at Bright Side believe that it’s better to prevent than to cure. Bearing in mind that millions of people have to deal with this problem every day, we decided to come up with this list of simple things you can try to prevent chafing.
And don’t miss our bonus at the end of this article.
10. Vaseline
Not only does chafing cause an annoying irritation on your skin, but it can also be very painful. This is true especially if the skin is already damaged and you keep on walking, creating friction between your thighs. One of the easiest ways to prevent this friction is to lubricate the surface of your skin. This is where remedies, like petroleum jelly, can help you deal with the problem.
9. Slip shorts
Another simple yet very effective way to address the problem of chafed skin is to reduce friction by trying a pair of slip shorts. This type of underwear is a real thigh saver. Its silky fabric protects your sensitive skin from rubbing. They are almost invisible under your clothing and even if it’s super windy and you’re wearing a skirt or a dress, you can avoid that embarrassing “expose your undies to the whole world” situation.
8. Deodorant
Women who have experienced chafing at least once know that the only thing you want to do about the irritation and rash is to somehow make your own legs not touch each other or better glide past each other. Some inventive women came up with a real game changing trick — they simply turn to their favorite stick of deodorant for help.
7. Baby powder
This one is probably the oldest trick your grandmother might have told you about. If baby powder works on diaper rash, it might work on your thighs too. Also, if you’ve just had your bikini line done, the skin on your thigh/bikini area might turn into an itchy nightmare.
Luckily, cornstarch, one of the main ingredients of baby and body powders, helps reduce sweating and irritation acting as a great skin protectant. The main thing here is to keep your skin cool and dry, so in order to get the desired rub-free effect, next time you go out just sprinkle some baby powder on your inner thighs/bikini area.
6. Shea butter
Shea butter is another great moisturizer and natural lubricant. It’s packed with vitamins and contains a number of fatty acids that protect the skin. Apply a thin layer of shea butter to inner thighs and forget about chub rub. It’ll provide a noticeable anti-inflammatory effect and improve the skin barrier.
5. Aloe vera
Aloe vera is truly a magical plant that has a lot of health benefits. It’s been used for years to soothe and moisturize the skin. Pure aloe vera gel and over-the-counter products containing aloe vera can be used for prevention, act as a lubricant, and be used for treating the chafed skin, acting as a soothing agent that also provides an anti-inflammatory effect.
4. Coconut oil
Another way to lubricate a high-friction area like the inner thighs is to rub them with coconut oil. It’ll help reduce friction and keep your thighs slick and smooth. Due to its antibacterial and antifungal properties coconut oil is a great remedy to prevent bacterial infection, especially on a sweaty surfaces like your inner thighs during a hot summer day.
3. Lip balm
Carolyn Bangert, a dermatologist at McGovern Medical School at the University of Texas, suggests using lip balm to keep your thighs from rubbing against each other and creating friction. Most of the over-the-counter lip balms are slick, so you might want to try this simple trick as an emergency way out if you don’t have any other option and your thighs need help right now.
2. Watch the fabrics
It may sound strange, but if you face this problem often one of the best things to do is to ditch 100% cotton items (bottoms, not tops, of course) from your wardrobe, at least while you’re dealing with thigh chafing. Dermatologists say that cotton absorbs moisture (in this case sweat) instead of letting it evaporate which holds the mositure on your body irritating your thighs even more. Synthetic items, on the contrary, are looser and thinner which will save your inner thighs. The same applies to your gym clothes.
1. Bandalette
These anti-chafing thigh bands are designed to save your thighs from irritation and rash while making you look sexy and cool. You can wear them under your favorite skirts and dresses without being afraid that they might slip down. Women who tried them report effectiveness and put this product on their “highly recommended” list of remedies to try to prevent chafing thighs.
Bonus
What to do if you came across our article a little too late and you already have to deal with irritation on your inner thighs? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here’s an action plan for you and your thighs.
If you have ever faced irritation on your inner thighs, please share your own methods on how to deal with the problem. Or maybe you have already tried some of the tips on our list? Tell us in the comments below.
Illustrated by Oleg Guta and Alena Tsarkova for BrightSide.me
