Summer Chafing Sucks – 5 Amazing Hacks to Help with Chafing
Chafing is something most of us if not all have experienced. It’s an annoying byproduct of having a body. Summer chafing is a particular brand of horrible since humidity and sweat make a recipe for disaster: discomfort, irritation, and an overall bad time.
These are five hacks to help reduce chafing. Learn what causes chafing, what hacks you can use to prevent it, and more today!
What is Chafing
Chasing is a form of skin irritation that occurs when skin rubs together. The friction causes redness, discomfort, and inflammation, and can be very irritating and painful. Common places where you chafe include your thighs, groin, armpits, chest, etcetera. Any place where skin is in contact with skin is fair game for chafing. It can even occur when your body rubs against clothing, as is common with runners.
Causes
Chafing is due to friction caused by skin rubbing against skin or your skin rubbing against clothes. This tends to happen if you have ill-fitting clothing, excess skin, or are exposed to hot weather. It also is common when you sweat, making summer chafing one of the worst with the heat and humidity we are exposed to.
5 Ways to Reducing Summer Chafing
Summer chafing is one of the worst things, it’s worse than regular chafing due to the weather conditions, moisture, and heat. Lucky for us, these tips can help reduce or prevent chafing. Best of all, these tips work not only in the summer but all year round.
1. Oil
Using oil is a simple and quick hack to prevent chafing. Oil allows the skin to glide without friction. Many oils, such as coconut oil or rose oil, have anti-inflammatory properties and wound-healing abilities. This makes them a great option to help soothe any skin that is already chafed.
2. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a succulent plant that contains a clear gel-like substance inside of it. It has been used to treat wounds and burns for thousands of years. It can help reduce irritation that is caused by chafing and will allow the skin to form a barrier. This barrier will help reduce chafing and protect the skin from further friction. Aloe vera is also really good at reducing pain or inflammation caused by chafing so it’s a good option to heal it.
3. Petroleum Jelly
Like oil, petroleum jelly allows the skin to glide smoothly, which will prevent friction. Petroleum jelly is not readily absorbed by the skin, meaning it will stay on the surface layer and create a barrier to prevent chafing.
4. Baby Powder
Baby powder is a super option to prevent chafing quickly. It forms a silky feeling on the skin which prevents friction and irritation. It also works by absorbing excess moisture from the skin which will reduce chafing from happening as well. You can also look into using cornstarch if you do not have baby powder!
5. Use Your Deodorant
Certain types of deodorants are a great way to prevent chafing. This is due to the composition of them. Many are made powdery, which can help absorb moisture. The oils and kinds of butter in these sticks also make them a pretty good option to add in other areas you think you will chafe.
Preventing It
Prevention is key to not experiencing your skin being irritated and red. Apply these hacks before any chafing occurs, especially if you intend to exercise or move. If you’re running, consider wearing a protective covering on your chest and protective shorts to reduce friction. Make sure you pay attention to the material as softer elastics can help reduce friction and thereby reduce chafing. If these remedies do not work, there are anti-chafe balms and creams that you can pick up in the store.
Your best bet to prevent skin chafing is to stay dry to prevent making friction worse on the area. Try to change out to wet or sweaty clothing quickly. If you do plan to sweat, then choose to lubricate the area, using an oil or petroleum jelly to make sure the skin is protected and exposed to less friction. Invest in good clothing and try to listen to the body. If you have to stop, stop.
Quick Self-care Reminder
At the end of the day, no matter how big or small you are, you are probably going to experience some form of chafing. Yes, it may be more common if you have more skin or a little more weight. Even extremely fit people will experience chafing. Just think of all those runners needing nipple covers.
Personally, as someone who does not skip leg day, there is no world in which my inner thighs do not touch. My thighs are just going to get bigger, that’s my goal. This can lead to chafing. And that’s okay. I’ll take precautions and do my best to fight against humidity every day. Remember, thick thighs save lives.
The Takeaway
Chafing is normal. Everyone no matter how big or small they are will experience some form of chafing if they do not actively try to prevent it. Summer chafing is a whole nother beast. Due to the increase in humidity, moisture, and heat, this creates a recipe for disaster for the skin. In the summertime, any form of movement no matter how short would give me chafing. It’s important for us to actively attempt to prevent it from happening in the first place. If we do experience chafing, it’s important for us to allow our skin to heal. The good thing about these hacks is that they work as both a preventative option and a healing option. Don’t stress too much about chafing, thick thighs save lives.
Remember that health comes from within. Eat nutrient-dense meals, exercise when you can, at least 3 times a week, and take care of your mental health. Daily habits become the building blocks for emotional, mental, and physical health. Take care of your gut health too! Learn everything you need to know about gut microbiota today for free here.
