Chafing – What Causes It, How to Treat It, & How to Help Prevent It
What is chafing?
What causes chafing?
How to treat chafed skin
How to help prevent chafing
Aquaphor for Chafing
Skin chafing can quickly go from mildly irritating to downright painful. Learn about what causes chafing, how to help soothe chafed skin with Aquaphor Healing Ointment, and how to help prevent it below.
What is chafing?
Chafing is skin irritation caused by friction, moisture, or irritating clothing or other material. This could be skin rubbing against skin, such as when thighs rub together while running, or when skin is repeatedly rubbed against clothing like a loose tee shirt or the waistband of a stiff pair of jeans.
Signs of chafing
Chafed skin can range from being mildly uncomfortable to very painful and inflamed. Some common signs of chafing include:
Stinging sensation
Tender skin
Mild, red irritated skin
Warm sensation on and near the affected skin
Dry, Itchiness
Flakiness
May progress to blisters, broken skin, and even bleeding and swelling if severe
If you experience significant pain, inflamed skin, sensations of warmth or blisters, be sure to contact a doctor for further guidance.
Where does skin chafing most commonly occur?
Chafing most commonly occurs on areas of the body where friction against another body part or clothing is likely, such as:
Inner thighs
Feet
Buttocks
Under the arms
Groin
Nipples
Under the breasts or bra-straps
What causes chafing?
Chafing is caused by repeated friction against the skin, especially when combined with moisture. Some common causes of chafing include:
Clothing rubbing against the skin
Wearing rough or stiff material can cause chafing or a ‘friction burn’, but even seemingly soft materials can cause chafing with enough prolonged friction. Wearing loose-fitting clothing can create more opportunity for fabric to rub, as opposed to tight-fitting garments like leggings where the skin is protected both from rubbing against both fabric and other skin. Points of contact like waistbands, bra straps, cuffs, collars, rough seams, and accessories like backpack straps, watches, bracelets, or other jewelry can all contribute to chafed skin.
Exercise
Exercising combines all of the elements that contribute to chafing – repeated friction against skin and clothing, plus moisture from sweating.
Skin rubbing against the skin
Aside from vigorous exercise, even just normal everyday movement, such as walking on a warm day and experiencing inner thighs rubbing together, can cause chafing.
Warm, moist areas of skin
Any place that skin folds on itself can be a source of chafing. When sweat gets trapped in the folds, it can lead to chafing from prolonged exposure to moisture, especially if friction is continued after sweat has dried and left salt residue on the skin. Warm, moist areas with particularly sensitive skin, like the groin area, are especially prone to chafing as sensitive skin can be easily irritated.
Diapers
Repeated exposure to prolonged moisture, reduced air flow, and increase in friction against diaper material can lead to chafing known as ‘diaper rash’ in babies. Similar irritation can occur in adults who need to wear incontinence products.
Sand or other abrasive material
Getting sand or other rough particles trapped between the skin and another surface causing friction can exacerbate chafing. Sticky substances can have a similar effect, as the skin can pull or stick when rubbing against other skin or fabric.
How to treat chafed skin
To help soothe chafed skin, try to give your skin time to heal and take precautions if considering resuming activities like exercise, because further friction will make the chafed skin worse, risking infection if skin breaks or bleeds.
Thankfully, chafing treatments are simple. Gently apply a skin protectant like Aquaphor® Healing Balm Stick or Aquaphor Healing Ointment, using as directed. This skin protectant provides immediate relief and protects to help heal chapped, chafed or very dry skin. It provides soothing care for chafing, as well as friction and windburn.
In case a superficial wound was created as a result of chafing, start by cleansing the wound, then smooth on a layer of Aquaphor® Healing Ointment.
Always see a doctor if a wound is deep, bleeds heavily or shows signs of infection like reddening, swelling or warmth. If you have or suspect a health problem, consult a doctor and follow medical advice.