Let’s talk about chafing

Ah, summertime – long days, pool parties, vacation…and chafing.

Yeah, you read that right. Chafing occurs when you have repeated skin-on-skin contact (such as your inner thighs) or when your skin rubs against clothing or other material (Some people call it chub rub). It is caused by repeated friction, and is made worse by moisture.

For some, chafing is a regular part of life, especially when summer’s high temperatures cause extra sweat. It can also be caused by intense exercise and clothes that don’t fit properly. It is most common in warm, damp areas such as inner thighs, groin, buttocks, armpits and under your breasts.

Fortunately, this isn’t a problem that will send you to the hospital and is usually easily treatable, but it can be painful.

What does chafed skin look like?

Mild symptoms include a red rash, raised bumps, stinging or burning, itching, tender skin or flaky, dry skin.

If you continue the activity that caused the chafing, symptoms can get worse. Severe chafing symptoms include welts on all layers of the skin, muscle pain, swelling, cracked or broken skin, bleeding, blisters and sores and secondary skin infections.

How do I treat it?

To stop the chafing, stop the activity that caused it. To make your chafed skin feel better, clean the affected area with mild soap and water. After it’s clean and dry, apply aloe vera gel. Then, apply a layer of petroleum jelly to heal irritation and prevent it from getting worse.

If the condition worsens or gets infected, go see your primary care provider. In some situations, you may be prescribed a topical antibiotic or corticosteroid.

How can I prevent it from happening again?

The good news is, you can usually prevent this irritating condition by:

• Wearing loose-fitting clothing

• Wearing 100% cotton fabric because it soaks up moisture and sweat

• Using an anti-chafing cream or anti-chafing stick on easily irritated areas, especially on the thighs

Make sure to see your primary care provider if symptoms of chafing look infected or don’t resolve with home remedies. Need a primary care provider? Visit www.tmcone.com. We have offices conveniently located across Tucson.