What Can I Do to Prevent and Treat Chafing?

Ah! It’s the sticky time of summer here in WV.  Unfortunately, a lot of our fun summer pastimes are accompanied by sweaty, sticky bodies, which can lead to a lot of chafing of skin.

Chafing is the irritation of skin that occurs when moist, sticky skin either rubs or lays skin on skin.  It can be solely from friction, but also can be accompanied by a rash called intertrigo which involves yeast or fungus.  To learn more about intertrigo, see our post below.  Today we’ll focus on how to reduce chafing by reducing friction and how to treat chafing once it’s occurred.

Tips to Reduce Chaffing:

1. Avoid skin on skin.  Any situation where we have skin rubbing on skin can lead to chafing.  This is most commonly seen under arms, inner thighs, and under women’s breasts.  I strongly recommend wearing clothing that eliminates skin on skin in these areas.  Loose fitting cotton shirts, tank tops, and baggy shorts are common culprits and should not be worn for exercise or other activities where there will be a lot of movement and friction.  Instead, I recommend a more fitted, moisture wicking garment that fits closer to the skin in these areas.  If you feel self-conscious about wearing these fitted garments, wear them under those big, baggy clothes.
2. Wear undergarments.  Now, to me this seems elementary.  However, most women’s first step when they are chafed is to remove their bra.  This always makes things worse.  If a tight-fitting bra is too uncomfortable, I often recommend a sports bra or soft bra in its place.  For men, a more form fitting boxer brief is recommended.  Again, a moisture-wicking material is helpful as well.
3. Use a glide enhancer.  The traditional recommendation is Body Glide.  However, in a pinch I have personally used deodorant and a zinc stick sunscreen.  Powders can also both reduce friction and improve glide, but they are a messier choice.  The most common powder I recommend is Zeasorb AF Powder. 

Tips to Treat Chafed Skin:

In addition to the tips above, once skin is already chafed, there are a few things that can get your skin back to normal.

1. Use a Zinc Oxide cream.  I most commonly recommend A&D Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Cream.  The Zinc helps with skin healing, and the other ingredients are great at protecting the skin.
2. Use Rx Mupirocin antibiotic ointment on any raw areas.  Raw areas can easily get infected.  Mupirocin helps things heal well and prevents open areas from getting infected.
3. If Not Improving Within a Week or Two See a Dermatologist. Sometimes what starts as chafing can develop into intertrigo which often involves yeast or fungus that needs additional treatment. 

Hope these tips will keep your skin smooth, dry and chafe free this summer. If you have additional tricks that you have found helpful, comment below or share with us on social media.  

Here are my references in case you want to learn more.  

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