{"id":244,"date":"2022-07-11T14:02:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-11T14:02:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2023-01-10T13:02:06","modified_gmt":"2023-01-10T13:02:06","slug":"5-ways-to-prevent-skin-chafing-this-summer-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/5-ways-to-prevent-skin-chafing-this-summer-2\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Ways To Prevent Skin Chafing This Summer"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Chafing is a common skin condition that happens to people a lot in the summer, and understanding how to prevent skin chafing is much wiser than simply dealing with the issue when it occurs.<\/p>\n<p>Chafing is caused by friction on the skin (such as thighs rubbing together while walking) combined with moisture (such as sweat during the summer months). Chafing can even be caused by irritating fabric.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s go back to the thighs rubbing together example. When you go for a summer walk, run, or hike, you may want to wear shorts that are long enough to cover all of your thighs. This is because prolonged rubbing of the skin (and the skin-on-skin friction) can make your skin sting, burn, or feel raw. If you don\u2019t wear proper clothing to prevent skin chafing, this prolonged friction can cause you to develop a rash on your skin where the chafing occurred, and it can be very painful to endure. Imagine having no choice but to hike back down a trail while you\u2019re chafing (because there\u2019s no gondola or other way of getting down) and you must endure the sting or burn of the chafing the entire time. Doesn\u2019t that sound uncomfortable? That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important to prevent chafing.<\/p>\n<p>If your skin tends to chafe, then anti-chafing strategies should be added to your list for how to <a target=\"_new0.5362287643702969\" href="\&quot;https:\/\/circledna.com\/blog\/6-tips-for-exercising-safely-in-the-summer-heat\/\&quot;" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">exercise safely in the summer heat<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s most common for chafing to occur on the inner thighs, groin, buttocks, nipples and underarms.<\/p>\n<p>In severe cases, chafing could include bleeding, swelling, or crusting of the skin. However, even if it\u2019s just a skin rash, it\u2019s still very uncomfortable.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"who-is-most-likely-to-experience-skin-chafing\">Who is Most Likely to Experience Skin Chafing?<\/h2>\n<p>Below are examples of situations that can lead to chafing<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Exercising in hot or humid weather<\/li>\n<li>Excessive sweating<\/li>\n<li>Those who wear ill-fitting clothing or wear cheap fabrics that don\u2019t wick moisture<\/li>\n<li>Those who have sensitive skin<\/li>\n<li>People who are carrying extra body weight<\/li>\n<li>Those who wear clothing that is not suitable for endurance exercise (such as going for a long walk in a skirt, or going for a hike wearing shorts that are far too short.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.unsplash.com\/photo-1630888500647-870f75f27327?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&amp;ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxzZWFyY2h8MTJ8fGF0aGxldGljc3xlbnwwfHwwfHw%3D&amp;w=1000&amp;q=80\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"circlemagazine-circledna-skin-chafing\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"how-to-prevent-chafing\">How to Prevent Chafing<\/h2>\n<p>Since chafing is so uncomfortable, it\u2019s important to keep reading this article to learn how to prevent skin chafing. If you take the steps to prevent chafing before you go about your activities in the summer heat, you\u2019ll likely be able to prevent having to deal with this uncomfortable and irritating skin condition.<\/p>\n<p>Preventing chafing is mostly about preventing the combination of moisture and friction.<\/p>\n<p>Below are some tips about how to prevent skin chafing this summer.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"1-use-natural-deodorant\">1. Use Natural Deodorant<\/h3>\n<p>Wearing deodorant can help prevent chafing in the armpit and underarm areas. If you have sensitive skin, it\u2019s best to stick to natural deodorant. Even if you don\u2019t have sensitive skin, there are many other benefits of using <a target=\"_new0.5362287643702969\" href="\&quot;https:\/\/circledna.com\/blog\/benefits-of-natural-deodorant\/\&quot;" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">natural deodorant<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Some people also apply their deodorant to their inner thigh area to help prevent skin chafing there, as well. However, there are better products for inner thigh chafing:<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"2-anti-chafe-balm\">2. Anti-Chafe Balm<\/h3>\n<p>Anti-Chafe Balm, such as \u2018Body Glide: The Original Anti-Chafe Balm\u2019 is advocated for by many people who noticed it prevented chafing.<\/p>\n<p>For example, you can apply an anti-chafe balm like this to your inner thigh area where the chafing normally occurs, and apply it before you take a long walk in the summer. Or, apply anti-chafe balm on your nipples if you\u2019re a runner who finds chafing occurs there due to the friction of fabric while running.<\/p>\n<p>The balm lubricates the area and minimizes skin rubbing that causes irritation and chafing. Think of it as a protective barrier that can prevent chafing even if you\u2019re wearing short shorts or a skirt, because lubricating the area reduces friction.<\/p>\n<p>Some people use petroleum jelly instead of anti-chafe balms, but you may as well get the real product.<\/p>\n<p>Anti-Chafe Balms are inexpensive, ranging from $8 \u2013 $28. A low price tag for a high likelihood that you\u2019ll prevent skin chafing.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"3-use-dusting-powder-or-cornstarch\">3. Use Dusting Powder or Cornstarch<\/h3>\n<p>You should not use talc powder to prevent chafing, but you could use cornstarch or buy a dusting powder product such as the Burt\u2019s Bees Baby Dusting Powder.<\/p>\n<p>Cornstarch and other dusting powders have the ability to absorb the extra moisture from the skin caused by hot weather, humidity and sweat. Applying the powder also creates a soft and silky feeling on the skin that may help prevent friction and irritation.<\/p>\n<p>In general, these powders help keep the skin dry, which can prevent skin chafing from occurring.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"kg-card kg-image-card\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images.unsplash.com\/photo-1428790067070-0ebf4418d9d8?ixlib=rb-1.2.1&amp;ixid=MnwxMjA3fDB8MHxzZWFyY2h8NjB8fGF0aGxldGljc3xlbnwwfHwwfHw%3D&amp;w=1000&amp;q=80\" class=\"kg-image\" alt=\"circlemagazine-circledna-skin-chafing\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/figure>\n<h3 id=\"4-wear-moisture-wicking-fabrics\">4. Wear Moisture-Wicking Fabrics<\/h3>\n<p>The wrong fabrics can cause chafing to occur as well. When you\u2019re exercising, wear moisture-wicking fabrics, such as those made with synthetic fibers, or those sold at athletic stores. Ensure the clothing fits you properly. If it\u2019s too loose on you, chafing could occur.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re prone to chafing, do not exercise while wearing cotton. Ask your local sports or athleisure shop to point you in the direction of moisture-wicking clothing.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"5-dress-appropriately\">5. Dress Appropriately<\/h3>\n<p>If you\u2019re doing a long hike in the heat, or going for a long run outside, consider what you\u2019re wearing. For example, if you\u2019re a man going for a run and you\u2019re prone to nipple chafing from your shirt\u2019s friction against your nipples while you run, consider running without a shirt. (But apply plenty of sunscreen first.) \u00a0If you\u2019re a woman with thighs that rub together and chafe while you hike, consider wearing <em>longer<\/em> shorts that are a moisture-wicking, high-quality fabric.<\/p>\n<p>If certain poor-quality fabrics and poorly-fitted clothing items lead to chafing, it may be time to upgrade your closet with higher-quality fabrics, or start using anti-chafing balms.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"skin-chafing-the-bottom-line\">Skin Chafing: The Bottom Line<\/h2>\n<p>If chafing has occurred, give your skin time to heal before exercising again. If more friction or rubbing occurs on the already irritated areas of the skin, it will just make it worse.<\/p>\n<p>Clean and dry the area, and let the area breathe. Your healthcare provider may suggest a medicated ointment to apply.<\/p>\n<p>Prevention is always better than a cure, so use the tips in this article to help prevent having to deal with skin chafing.<\/p>\n<p>Find out the optimal fitness routine for you, and the best sports for you, based on your genetic makeup through CircleDNA. <a target=\"_new0.5362287643702969\" href="\&quot;https:\/\/circledna.com\/?utm_source=blog&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=bau&amp;utm_format=article&amp;utm_creator=&amp;utm_content=5-ways-to-prevent-skin-chafing-this-summer\&quot;"><strong>Read your genetic sports and fitness reports<\/strong><\/a> after you take your CircleDNA test.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chafing is a common skin condition that happens to people a lot in the summer, and understanding how to prevent skin chafing is much wiser than simply&#8230; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2809,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[80,81,63,53,49],"class_list":["post-244","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-blood-sugar-level","tag-metabolism","tag-pessimism-en","tag-skin-health","tag-teeth-grinding-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/244","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=244"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/244\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2809"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=244"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=244"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magazine.circledna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=244"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}