Here's the Rub: How to Treat (and Prevent!) Chafing

Finally.

We're entering that beautiful time of year when the world has thawed out, the birds greet you each morning, and the air is thick with friction-inducing moisture – wait what?

That’s right! The spring and summer months are a time for getting outside, feeling the warm sun on your skin, and – unfortunately – it's also peak chafing season. While it may be a great time to break out your favorite shorts and dresses, chafing can deter you from enjoying that breeze on your legs because you’re worried about  irritated skin. Let’s not forget how easily chafing can be taken to the extreme and it can happen in more places than you expect.

So – the last words you probably thought you'd read today – let's talk all things chafing! What it is, its causes, and some helpful tips for preventing it! 

What is Chafing and What Causes It?

Chafing is a common skin problem most of us have experienced. It can be caused by friction, irritating fabric, moisture, or any combination of the three. If chafing is not remedied, it can cause blisters – a much more painful symptom where fluid fills up space between layers of your skin. If you’ve ever worn too-tight shoes for a long time, you know what I’m talking about.

5 Ways to Prevent Chafing

1. Wear well-fitting clothes

One of the main causes of chafing is ill-fitting clothing. When your clothes are too tight, they are more likely to have constant contact with your skin, causing friction and, ultimately, skin irritation. Therefore, it’s important to wear clothes that fit right during the spring and summer months. Your clothes will be less likely to stick to you, rub against your skin, and cause chafing. Plus, warmer months are the perfect time to break out those flow-y pants and sundresses, two perfect options for preventing clothes from coming into contact with your skin.

2. Wear moisture-wicking clothes

As mentioned above, moisture is another cause of chafing. This moisture can stem from humidity in the air or sweat. Have you ever gone for a run in the summer and found yourself sticking to your clothes the whole way home? That’s cause for chafing.

To avoid discomfort, consider wearing moisture-wicking clothes. These fabrics are water-absorbent, helping to take the moisture off your body. Athleisure is your best bet for moisture-wicking clothes, so be sure to check how absorbent your leggings are before your next morning run or chill weekend. Additionally, consider trying moisture-wicking undergarments to stop chafing in your most sensitive areas.

3. Protect areas prone to chafing

Two areas most prone to chafing are your thighs and feet. While it can be difficult to go fabric-free in these areas, you can still save your skin! You’ll want to keep these areas smooth and dry to prevent friction caused by rubbing against other skin. For this, consider applying baby powder, or a cream-to-powder lotion like our anti-friction elixir Chafe Escape!

4. Stay clean and dry

This one sounds like a no-brainer but may be an overlooked cause of skin irritation. Throughout the spring and summer months, you’ll find yourself outside a lot more. Whether you’re strolling around the city or doing your favorite outdoor activities, you’re bound to sweat and get dirty. Both sweat and dirt cause friction on your skin. It's important, then, to keep your skin clean and dry. Showering daily and wiping down after exercise are two key ways to abate the chafe this season.

5. Swim suits are meant for swimming

If you plan to hit the beach this summer, you should also plan to bring a change of clothes. While it may be more convenient to simply leave on your dry bathing suit after a long beach day, it may be hurting you more than you think! Sand is bound to get trapped in your bathing suit, no matter how hard you try to keep it out. This sand, like dirt, will stick to your skin, rub against it, and cause chafing – not the way you want to end your beach day. Consider bringing something flow-y and comfortable to change into before you head home. Ensure that your post-beach day woes do not extend beyond religiously applying aloe to your sunburn.

How to Treat Chafed Skin

Ooor maybe you've happened upon this article not because you're trying to avoid chafing...but because you've already made the mistake of not preparing and now that painful burn is your entire world? No sweat 😉 We got you!

Here are the best steps for treating your chafed skin and getting that much-needed relief.

1. Cover the affected area

You want to keep the irritated skin protected from further irritation. One of the best ways to do this is to loosely apply a bandage over the area so it doesn’t come in contact with any other skin or fabric while it heals.

2. Wear loose-fitting clothes

Just like what we said above, tight clothing can cause chafing as the clothing rubs against your skin and causes friction. To ensure that the affected area can heal properly, wear clothes that will let it breathe.

3. Treat it

The same sorts of things that can help prevent chafing can also help provide relief from it! Powders and our Chafe Escape cream can help soak up excess moisture and provide a barrier for additional friction.

But there's another treatment that a lot of folks don't think about: diaper rash cream. Yep, that's right. I mean, think about it: wet skin rubbing up against something and causing irritation? Sounds a lot like diaper rash to me. These thick creams help provide a barrier and soothe your skin while allowing it to heal. If your chafed skin is in a spot that's easy to hide, grabbing a little tube from the baby aisle might just change your entire world.

Beyond that, the best way for your irritated areas to heal is to just leave it alone. The skin is an incredibly resilient organ. If you leave the area be, it should be back to its usual radiant self in a week or two.

With all this information, you’re now prepared to take on the coming months with no fear of chafing! So go ahead, break out the shorts, bikinis, and sundresses and face the coming months with full confidence!