Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 2: Treating Chafing Skin
• Part 2 of 2: Preventing Chafing
• Tips

Sometimes even a slight irritation on the skin can cause discomfort. Skin chafing is caused by rubbing the skin against skin or something else, such as clothing. This constant rubbing over time leads to flaking, redness and even bleeding. If you are worried about skin chafing due to sports or other reasons, then read this article and you will learn how to heal your skin and avoid chafing in the future.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Treating Chafing Skin

1. 1 Cleanse the affected area. Wash the affected area thoroughly with water and a mild detergent. Rinse off the remaining product with clean water. Pat dry your skin with a clean, dry towel. Clearing the affected area is especially important if you exercise or sweat a lot. It is very important to wash away any traces of sweat before treating irritated skin.
   • Do not wipe, just dab the skin with a towel so as not to irritate the skin further.
2. 2 Apply some powder. Apply baby powder to your skin. This should help reduce friction. You can use talc-free baby powder, baking soda, cornstarch, or the like. It is not recommended to use talcum powder or products containing talcum powder as it is carcinogenic according to some studies. This is especially true for women and products that are applied to intimate areas.
3. 3 Apply the ointment. Use petroleum jelly, body balm, diaper rash cream, or any other product made to prevent chafing. Some products are specifically targeted to prevent chafing in athletes. After applying the ointment, the affected area can be covered with a sterile dressing or cloth patch, which allows the skin to breathe.
   • If the rubbed area hurts or bleeds too much, ask your doctor what remedy should be applied to the wound in this case. You should be able to apply this remedy all over the affected area.
4. 4 Make a cold compress. Cool irritated skin with a cold compress. This should be done immediately after exercising or when you notice irritation. Do not apply ice directly to your skin, as this will only make your condition worse. Instead, wrap the ice in a towel or cloth and apply the resulting compress to the affected area for about 20 minutes. A cold compress will relieve pain.
5. 5 Apply a soothing gel and oil. For example, aloe vera gel can be applied to the affected area. For this, either a natural aloe gel or a ready-made product sold at a pharmacy or store is suitable (but before buying, make sure that it contains the minimum amount of additives). Aloe vera is excellent for soothing the skin. You can also apply a couple of drops of tea tree oil to a cotton swab and wipe the swab thoroughly with the swab. Tea tree oil has antiseptic properties and can therefore prevent infection and promote faster healing.
6. 6 Take a bath. Prepare a soothing bath by mixing 2 cups of baking soda and 10 drops of lavender essential oil in warm water. Make sure the water is not too hot, as this can cause more irritation. Soak in this bath for 20 minutes and then dry yourself with a soft towel.
   • You can also make a soothing tea and add it to your bath. For a soothing tea, you will need 1/3 cup green tea, 1/3 cup calendula flowers, and 1/3 cup chamomile. Brew all this in two liters of water and let the tea brew well. When the tea has cooled, strain it and add to the bath.
7. 7 See a doctor if necessary. It is very important to see a doctor if the affected area becomes infected. If you notice an infection or a red rash, be sure to check with your doctor. You should also see your doctor if the rubbed area of ​​your skin hurts or bothers you.

Part 2 of 2: Preventing Chafing

1. 1 Keep your skin dry. If you know you are going to workout or will sweat a lot, be sure to apply talcum-free powder to the most sweaty areas of your body. Wet skin is most prone to chafing, so change into dry clothes after finishing your workout.
2. 2 Wear suitable clothing. Clothes that are too tight can chafe the skin. Wear synthetic fabrics with a tight fit. This will help prevent chafing, which can lead to chafing. If you play sports, do not wear cotton clothing and try to dress to the minimum.
   • Do not wear clothing with coarse seams or straps. If, when putting on your clothes, you notice that it rubs or irritates your skin somewhere, then keep in mind that when you wear it, friction and irritation will only worsen. Choose clothing that is comfortable and does not rub or crush anywhere.
3. 3 Drink plenty of water. This is especially important when doing sports. Drinking plenty of water will make you sweat more, and this will prevent the formation of salt crystals on the skin - often salt crystals are the cause of friction and irritation on the skin, which in turn causes chafing.
4. 4 Make your own chafing remedy. You will need petroleum jelly and a diaper rash cream or ointment that contains lanolin. Mix 1 cup of cream and 1 cup of petroleum jelly. Add 1/4 cup vitamin E cream and 1/4 cup aloe vera cream. Mix thoroughly. The resulting product should be thick enough so that you can apply it to the affected area of ​​the skin.
   • Apply the product you made to the areas where chafing occurs most often. Do this before every workout or when you know you are going to sweat. This remedy relieves skin irritation and prevents calluses
5. 5 Lose weight. In people who are overweight, chafing occurs more often, especially in the thighs and buttocks.It is worth getting rid of excess weight, and the problem is gone.
   • Start exercising regularly and eat a healthy diet. Physical activities such as swimming, weightlifting or rowing usually do not cause chafing.

Tips

• If the affected area starts bleeding or becomes infected, wash it with antibacterial soap. Apply Baneocin or another antibiotic and pain reliever ointment to the infected area. Wait a few days for the bleeding to heal and the chafing begins to heal before continuing with the treatment.
• See your doctor if the chafing on your skin does not improve or gets worse.