Thigh chafing: what you can do about it

When temperatures rise in summer and people reach for skirts and shorts more often, their bare thighs touch one another. This isn’t necessarily caused by body weight or a large thigh circumference, but can also simply be due to the position of the legs and hips. Body shape and connective tissue can also play a role, as can gender and genetics.

Due to the heat, the body produces more sweat in summer. Therefore, the combination of sweat and friction can chafe the skin and make it sensitive Rubbing your thighs together can cause pain, redness, irritation and, in the worst case, open wounds. Itching, burning and pain are typical signs that you are suffering from chub rub. If the area of skin then swells or secretes fluid, the symptoms get worse.

You can prevent thigh chafing by preparing your thighs in advance. Various cosmetic products and items of clothing will help you to do this, which you can either already have at home or quickly get at the drugstore or online. These various products can prevent thigh chafing:

• Anti-chafing sticks
• Deodorant
• Baby powder
• Vaseline
• Bandelettes
• Cycling shorts

Anti-chafing sticks provide protection against thigh chafing. You can usually find them in sports shops – but drugstores also sell them. They create a protective film on the skin so that it no longer chafes, it glides. This results in less friction.

Pros: You can also use these sticks on other parts of your body, for example on your feet, on pressure points or between your breasts if you have a large bust that rubs together. Thanks to their special formula, they are quite long-lasting and can withstand high temperatures.

Cons: They are a bit more expensive than other products that can protect against chafing on the thighs. You may also need to reapply them during the day, depending on how much you sweat.

It may sound strange, but it works: deodorant not only prevents sweating under the arms, but also on the thighs. It also creates a moist film on the skin, so that the thighs glide instead of rubbing against each other. Sticks or rollers are best.

Pros: You already have it in your home, so you don’t have to buy an extra product. Deodorant is good value for money and also inhibits the production of sweat.

Cons: Depending on the ingredients, deodorant can dry out the skin. If it contains alcohol, it can also cause irritation.

Powder absorbs moisture on the skin, draws out perspiration and thus reduces friction. It is also inexpensive and available in every drugstore.

Pros: Unlike many deodorants, it contains no aluminium salts and is well tolerated by the skin.

Cons: The powder leaves stains on dark clothing, which is why it only makes sense to use it with light-coloured clothing. In addition, the powder does not last as long and needs to be reapplied more frequently.

Vaseline forms a film on the skin and thus also reduces friction. It is available both in pharmacies and in drugstores. It is best to apply it thinly.

Pros: Vaseline is inexpensive and can also be used for other purposes. It also keeps the skin supple.

Cons: Vaseline can stain clothing. It also doesn’t last as long and loses its effect over the course of the day – so you have to reapply.

Tip: rich skin creams have a similar effect to Vaseline. Coconut oil is also suitable, smells good and nourishes the skin.

Bandelettes are not a cosmetic aid to protect chafed thighs, but they do prevent friction in a completely mechanical way. Bandelettes are bands made of a light material that are pulled over the thigh and prevent direct skin contact. The thigh bands look like a wide garter and reduce friction exactly where it occurs.

Pros: They stay put all day, don’t need to be reapplied like cream and don’t show under clothing.

Cons: They are not suitable for wearing under short shorts because they will be visible.

Cycling shorts are not only an effective protection against sore thighs, they are also a fashionable item of clothing. You can let them peek out from under dresses or long blouses and they protect your thighs from friction.

Pros: They are comfortable, don’t slip and give you a good feeling on your thighs all day long.

Cons: Cycling shorts can rub against certain items of clothing. They may be visible under short items of clothing – not something everyone wants. They are also an additional layer of clothing when it is hot.

What’s done is done – you’ve chafed your skin. What can you do now? Don’t worry – not every bit of skin irritation has to end in inflammation. With a little care, your thighs will quickly be feeling great again, because you can treat the sore skin like this:

• Clean the area gently with warm water and mild soap. Pat it dry without rubbing.
• If the chafed area is open or has started to ooze, you can disinfect it to prevent it from becoming infected.
• If you are in pain or your thigh is swollen, you can use ice packs wrapped in cloths to provide relief.
• Applying a healing ointment promotes wound healing and cares for the skin. An anti-inflammatory powder can also help.
• Chamomile tea compresses also have an anti-inflammatory effect and can help the skin to heal faster.
• If it is a larger wound, you can use a plaster to protect the wound and keep dirt out. A large blister plaster can help, for example, as it provides light cushioning and protection against further chafing of the skin.
• Once the open wound has healed, you can continue to care for the skin with cooling aloe vera gel.
• Wear light, loose and airy fabrics made from natural materials such as linen or cotton until the skin has healed. Prevent clothing from cutting into the skin and allow air to reach the wound as often as possible.