How to Help: Inner Thigh Chafing

How to Help: Inner Thigh Chafing
by Truly Beauty

Inner-thigh chafing (otherwise known as "chub rub") is a rash-like inflammation that occurs when moist skin rubs against other moist skin or clothing. It typically occurs in the summer months, after a sweaty workout session, or when wearing fitted clothing. 

The good news is, you don't have to live with it forever. There are ways to treat inner thigh chafing and prevent it from ever returning again. 

Read on to find out how you can conquer chafing problems and finally ease the pain of chub rub.

 

Smear On a Barrier Balm

Rubbing -- whether from walking, working out, or wearing skinny jeans -- causes friction on your inner-thigh skin, leaving you with skin irritation and blisters. By applying a barrier balm on your inner thighs, you prevent the skin from rubbing together, and ultimately ward off chafed skin. 

Pineapple Haze Sensitive Skin Body Balm is a great solution. It's a repairing balm made with CBD, pineapple, jojoba oil, and vitamin E to hydrate, health, and soothe skin chafing. It also provides a protective barrier to prevent rubbing and friction from taking place. Apply it before and after walking, working out, and wearing tight clothing to both treat and prevent inner thigh chafing. Of course, you can apply it elsewhere for an anti-chafing effect.

 

Wash With a Gentle Body Cleanser

Using harsh, drying soaps can aggravate your chafed skin and make the situation a lot more uncomfortable. Wash inflamed areas with a gentle body wash to soothe skin irritation and help control fungal growth. 

Moon Jelly Adaptogenic Body Cleanser relies on a soothing blend of ashwagandha, lavender, and chamomile to cleanse the skin while reducing environmental stressors such as UV rays, pollution, and lack of sleep. Use this every time you bathe or shower. If you experience excessive sweating due to living in a hot climate or regular workouts, aim to shower 1-2 times a day. 

 

Bring on the Shea Butter

As effective as petroleum jelly (Vaseline) is for reducing friction and preventing abrasion, not everyone likes the idea of slathering it on their thighs. Don't worry, you have other options.

"Products with silicone, beeswax, or shea butter provide the same benefit," says Temitayo Ogunleye, M.D., an assistant professor of clinical dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. 

Unicorn CBD Body Butter is made with a shea butter foundation infused with CBD, matcha, coconut oil, and acai to intensely hydrate the skin, fix cracks, and soothe irritated skin.

 

Sprinkle on Some Talcum Powder

Moisture can break down the skin barrier's top layer, leaving it chafed and irritated. Talcum powder, or baby powder, does a great job at protecting your skin from sweat and moisture. Dust on a fine layer before getting dressed.

Moisture can break down the top layer of skin leaving it chafed, irritated, and painful.

"If you experience a lot of sweating, ask your dermatologist for a new prescription product called QBrexa wipes," suggests Kavita Mariwalla, MD, Founder of Mariwalla Dermatology. "They are meant for people with excessive sweating."

 

Ditch the Irritating Workout Gear

If you're not wearing appropriate workout clothing, your thighs will really pay the price for all those repetitions. 

Ditch loose fitting cotton pants and opt for moisture-wicking materials instead. Even when you're not exercising, wearing fitted, moisture-wicking gear like sports bras and compression shorts can eliminate friction and create a barrier between skin and clothing. 

When possible, aim to strip out of your sweat-soaked clothing as soon as possible to let your moist skin dry off and prevent chafing.

 

Try an Anti-Chafing Product

Anti-chafing creams and lotions can be helpful for treating chafing. Whether you're dealing with chafing on your inner thighs, armpits, or breasts, you can help treat chafing by applying the product to the chafed area. 

"Anti-chafing produ2cts [form a protective] film on skin that can reduce the friction between touching skin parts, explains Birnur Aral, Ph.D., a senior chemist at the Good Housekeeping Institute.

Aral recommends looking for skincare products formulated with ingredients like waxes, silica, and zinc oxide which impart a silky, non-sticky feeling while warding off fungal skin infections. It's definitely worth using before a big event like a marathon.

 

Apply an Antiperspirant

According to the experts, you may also be to get rid of inner thigh chafing with the help of over-the-counter antiperspirants that contain the sweat-blocker aluminum chloride. You can use it anywhere that's prone to moisture -- inner thighs, under the breasts, or underarms.

Apply a light layer and let it dry before getting dressed. Consider dusting on some antifungal powder to further help prevent chafing and protect again infections. You can even get antiperspirant wipes that you can simply swipe over your thighs for relief.

 

Try an Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera has long been used for medicinal purposes. Thanks to anti-inflammatory properties, aloe vera can help heal diaper rash, dry skin, and even inner thigh chafing. 

If you don’t want to extract the gel yourself, you can easily buy aloe vera gel at your local drugstore. 

 

...Or Cornstarch

Cornstarch is a popular home remedy for treating chafing. That's because of its ability to absorb extra moisture from the skin and reduce irritation. Cornstarch can be used as an alternative to talcum powders. It's great to apply when the hot weather comes to prevent moisture and soothe skin contact irritation.



Inner thigh chafing happens to the majority of us. Luckily, there are plenty of easy fixes to soothe your pain. Plus, it's easily preventable if you switch your wardrobe, avoid getting overly sweaty, and smother on a layer of anti-chaffing cream or balm before getting dressed. 

If you're experiencing redness and discomfort on your inner thighs and our above remedies don't help, speak to a dermatologist. It may be an underlying skin condition like eczema.

 

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