How to Prevent Chafing

 

Dear reader, first-hand research was inadvertently acquired for this story. I’ll spare the details, but in short: sun was sat in, sweat was produced, trendy cotton pants were worn on a walk, and thigh chafing was born. I had all the ingredients to whip up a truly awful experience as I waddled in agony toward A.C. Whether you’re looking to prevent chafing while running, or just want ways to avoid chafing in the summer heat, it all begins with fending off these four factors.

 

 

Friction is enemy number one. When skin rubs on itself—especially when sweaty—it increases irritation and leads to chafing.

 

 

Fabric swishing against your skin can cause chafing too—especially if it has annoying, prominent seams. Any fabric made of cotton will be loose and won’t wick moisture away, leading to bunched-up materials abrading your skin. The less fabric movement, the better.

 

 

Summer chafing, we’re looking at you. If you find yourself in hot weather, skin-tight, sweat-wicking base layers can help prevent chafing—and seeking air conditioning whenever possible.

 

 

What does heat cause? Moisture. And although counter-intuitive, water does not equal slickness—in fact it can increase skin friction. Stay cool, avoid sweat, and wear moisture-wicking clothes.

 

 

 

Thighs are a common area for chafing across genders and body sizes—it can truly happen to anyone. The repetitive motion of walking or running has anyone with legs wondering how to prevent thigh chafing. Leave the fire-starting to the matches by wearing compression leggings or shorts. Even if you prefer wearing loose gym shorts, pop a pair of compression briefs underneath so you don’t have loose fabric swishing the chafe into existence.

 

 

 

Just as painful as thigh chafing and much more awkward. Avoid this sensitive region from getting rubbed wrong by wearing compression briefs under your pants. Cosmetic products like athletic powder can also help, so read on to learn more.

 

 

Keep your pits happy by wearing a moisture-wicking fitted tee that covers your armpits so your skin doesn’t rub together. Antiperspirants also help to diminish sweat, so grab a good deodorant to keep you feeling fresh and chafe-free.

 

 

A.K.A. “jogger’s nipple”, something nobody wants. Prevent nipple chafing for women by wearing a properly fitting sports bra. If running is your sport, try a running bra designed with encapsulated cups for extra motion support. For those who don’t need a bra, wear a synthetic T-shirt that’s lightweight, soft, and doesn’t shift excessively across your chest as you run. In a pinch, you can help avoid nipple chafing by putting athletic tape or a bandage over them for extra protection.

 

 

Chafing on your feet and ankles usually manifests into blisters, which take a while to heal. Avoid uncomfortable rubbing by wearing well-fitted shoes and sweat-wicking athletic socks that cover any bare skin against the shoe. Finding the right running shoe is a quest, but ensuring the proper fit will help to avoid blisters on toes, heels and ankles. 

 

 

Feeling hot and bothered in all the worst ways? Hot spots are areas that aren’t quite chafed but are definitely irritated. Avoid this baby chafe by choosing workout clothes designed with flat seams, or completely seamless styles. 

 

 

 

Poof, and all your problems can be gone—chafing-wise that is. Toss a bit of athletic powder or corn-starch onto an irritation-prone area and it not only works to create a buffer to glide across, but also dries out excess moisture (which is a leading cause of discomfort). There are also balm and cream products designed specifically to reduce chafing. Word on the street is that a little spritz of canola oil also does the trick—we’ll let you be the judge of that.

 

 

Didn’t read our tips on how to stop chafing in time? It happens. You can help relieve chafing by washing the area with non-scented soap made for sensitive skin. Pat the area dry and apply soothing aloe vera or unscented lotion. If the area is extremely irritated, a large bandage over the zone could help protect it while it heals. Wear loose, breathable clothes, and if possible, try to avoid moving in a way that could further the chafing. Soon you’ll be back to feeling good, and now you’ll be equipped with the knowledge of how to prevent chafing in the future.