Common Reasons for Skin chafing and How to Prevent it      

Chafed skin is a temporary condition wherein there is the occurrence of rashes on the skin. It is caused by friction as anytime your skin rubs against a piece of clothing or even your skin, the friction causes rashes, redness, irritation and discomfort. 

This may restrict your movements and cause discomfort even while doing the bare minimum. Certain areas of the body such as the groin, inner thighs and underarms are more prone to chafing. In some severe cases, it can also be seen in between the fingers.

While many home remedies and over the counter remedies for skin chafing are effective, prevention is still the best option. 

Alternatives like sweat-wicking clothing or anti chafing thigh bands prove beneficial to prevent your skin from chafing or any other irritation caused by repetitive movements. People who lead an active lifestyle or precipitate more than normal are prone to chafed skin, making investing in preventive clothing more critical for them.

Here are some common causes of chafing and some preventive measures.

Causes of chafing

1) Obesity or overweight

Excess weight increases the chance of a chafed skin due to more rubbing of extra skin in the sensitive areas.

2) Sports

Sports activities that require a person to make repetitive movements may cause clothing to rub against a particular area of skin. This repetition increases the friction, and with added heat and sweat from the activities, it worsens the risk of chafing. 

3) Clothing

Certain items of clothing such as bathing suits, skirts, or ill-fitted clothing can cause chafing. In addition, wearing tight or ill-fitted clothing in hot weather further worsens the condition, especially near the inner thigh area. 

If you suffer from such rashes and redness in the summers, it is best to wear anti-chafing thigh pads to prevent any rashes from building up. 

4) Diapers

When wet diapers are left unchanged for prolonged hours, it may cause rashes and irritation to the skin. 

5) Sweating

Sweat can irritate the skin, and even dried sweat can leave a layer of salt, making the friction worse. 

How to prevent chafing

As a general rule, eliminating the friction eliminates any skin chafing. Here are some tips to aid your efforts in preventing friction.

1) Choose your clothing carefully.

Cotton is not the best option to wear when engaging in physical activities. Instead, opt for synthetic or sweat-wicking materials. These clothing materials will help you keep your body dry. In comparison to synthetic clothing materials, cotton takes up much more time to dry. So, the cotton soaks up the sweat and exposes your skin to moisture for prolonged hours. 

Anti-chafing thigh bands and sweat-wicking underwear are a great option if you suffer from chafing around the inner thighs. 

2) Reduce friction

Apply moisture-absorbing talcum powder or petroleum jelly to chafing prone areas to reduce friction and eliminate any chance of rashes. 

3) Keep cool

Excessive sweating and heat can worsen the symptoms of chafed skin. So, as a preventive measure, exercise in the colder hours of the day or in an indoor gym. 

4) Cover up

You can also use ultra-soft bandages or adhesive moleskin to add an extra layer of protection. Apply the bandages on an area where you often suffer from chafed skin.

Chafed skin usually heals on its own, but it can cause tremendous discomfort and irritation. The irritation goes away as soon as the upper skin layer has healed.