While most people are always excited to bid farewell to cold winter and welcome summer with open arms, there are some people who get terrified of the idea. For some people, summer isn't all about wearing a dress, planning a picnic or sunbathing, hot weather is a nightmare.
Be it at work, at home or doing chores, you sweat like molten iron gives you a hard time. But do you know what is the main terrifying aspect among this whole ordeal?
Chafing, or the chub rub like we call it in general. Yes, we are all the victims of our thighs rubbing each other in this humidity and prickly heat. As a result we never get to wear our favorite skirts and shorts and always end up wearing comfortable clothes that doesn't make the scenario worse.
What should you do in that case? Is there a natural way to heal chafing overnight? Because summer is almost on the door steps and we want to be wear every trendy clothes without burning our skin, here are a few ideas that can help you illuminate chafing.
So, without wasting any more time, let's find pocket friendly and long term solution to fight the itchy monster!
What is Chafing?
Chafing is a condition that occurs when our skin rubs together and creates friction. This friction causes high discomfort such as redness and irritation.
This condition can happen anywhere in your body but the most common places are groin, buttocks, armpits, and nipple. But chafing is most common and multiple times painful when it hits your inner thighs.
Wondering why? In worst cases, the chub rub can make your skin bleed as well.
What Causes Chafing?
Here are a few things that trigger chafing the most.
Using Diapers or Sanitary Pads
Be it for children or adults, diapers if worn in the wrong size or for a long time can cause friction. Not just diapers, even sanitary pads, women use on their periods gives you rash and redness.
Being Overweight
If you are overweight in general or carry extra weight in the arms, abdomen and thighs, chances are, you will be the prone victim to skin rub.
So, if you are facing the similar problem, try exercising and toning your body to stay miles away from chub-rub.
Wearing Tight Clothes
Some tight fitting pants, dresses or even excessively tight undergarments can repeatedly rub on your skin and cause chafing.
Therefore, you have to understand your body type and always measure yourself before buying figure hugging clothes, especially bras and other intimate articles.
Endurance Exercise
Chafing often affects athletes due to their repetitive movements. Whether cycling or running, those engaged in endurance exercises frequently experience sweaty skin.
This moisture and friction from clothing exacerbate the irritation, leading to discomfort and inflammation.
Breastfeeding
While breastfeeding is a pleasure and a big blessing, nursing moms most often experience chafing around moist nipples compounded by wearing a nursing bra.
New moms are feeding their children or leaking milk so often that they don't get a chance to keep their nipples dry and go through this painful experience while nursing.
How to Heal Chafing?
1. Shea Butter
Heal thigh chafing or chubrub by applying clear shea butter to ease the situation. Shea butter is one of the best lotions what helps chafing by softening and nourishing the skin.
Per some studies, shea butter, high in fatty acid, has anti-inflammatory properties that gradually promotes skin healing.
2. Petroleum Jelly
Thinking what to put on chafing, try lubricating your skin with petroleum jelly. A layer of petroleum jelly can reduce skin irritation keeping chafing at bay.
3. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a great alternative to many chub rub preventing creams found on market. It helps to heal the wound and simultaneously kill harmful bacteria on the same skin.
You can always choose to rub those over the counter lubricants but concerning the health benefits, coconut oil is the best solution to make your skin oily and prevent friction.
4. Cornstarch
Yes, you heard it right. Who knew that one item from your pantry could be the best powder for chafing. As corn starch absorbs extra moisture from skin, it reduces itching which prevents friction and that burning sensation.
You can totally use talcum powder as an alternative, but people usually avoid it due to raising concerns regarding its possible link to cancer.
5. Aloe Vera
Its gel possesses antioxidants that not only boosts your immune system but it also reduces inflammation and more. No wonder, doctors and other medical professionals have been using this succulent for medicinal purposes for centuries.
How to Prevent Chafing?
When thinking about how to stop chafing, it's important to focus on making healthy choices such as-
Keep Moisture at Bay
Preventing chafing is not a one time thing. It is a everyday practice that helps to keep the condition at bay. Therefore, always choose to wear breathable clothes wile working out or doing anything that makes you sweaty.
Deodorants or talcum powder can act as a barrier between layers of skin which further reduces friction. Use them before putting on your clothes to keep the wetness at bay.
Lubricate Daily
Lubricate friction prone areas after showering with coconut oil or petroleum jelly to help the skin glide smoothly without creating friction.
Wear Proper Clothing
If you are an athlete, wear bike shorts or leggings. As these clothes are made from soft elastic materials, they will save your inner thighs and buttocks from chafing.
Apply Anti-Chafing Products
If you are vulnerable to skin rub and thinking about how to heal chafing, keep anti chafing products handy with you. You can keep a small bottle of Vaseline or purchase items specifically designed for chafing like anti-chafing sticks or bands.
There are plethora of anti chafing bans available in the market which you can wear on the thighs to prevent rubbing.
However, if you are not someone who is willing to go through this at day time, you can always apply chafe-healing cream, aloe vera or Vaseline on the affected area before sleep.
Consult a Health Care Professional
If you are more vulnerable to chub rub and get chafing more often or if your skin is burning like a fire and you see our skin breaking, it is the high time to consult a health care professional. Broken skin can harbor yeast or other kinds of bacteria, so see a doctor before the situation becomes worse.
