How to deal with chafing, according to an expert | Vogue India

Anyone with mildly thick thighs will tell you that chafing is a major problem. It’s probably one of the biggest reasons why you’ve bid farewell to your favourite pair of denim shorts. The condition silently creeps in at the worst times (read: beach holiday) and goes unnoticed by those around you…but, only you can feel its wrath. And once you’ve fallen victim the discomfort just keeps rolling in no matter what you wear. Sounds familiar, right? Often a condition that occurs in hot and humid weather—something India experiences for most of the year—chafing is far more common than you think. And it isn’t just limited to your thigh region.

“Chafing is a skin condition that occurs due to constant friction between two skin surfaces of the body or with clothing,” explains Dr Varshini Reddy, cosmetic dermatologist and founder The Glow Clinic. “This is also known as frictional dermatitis commonly and can lead to skin irritation or pigmentation in that area. It can be due to factors like being overweight or obese, pregnancy, intense exercise, tight clothing, and very hot weather and sweat.”

The heat and humidity together is definitely a recipe for disaster for your skin, throw in friction and you’re left with a rather uncomfortable mess. According to Dr Reddy, chafing commonly occurs in the body folds like between thighs, groin, inner arms, buttocks, below the breast, and any other areas that experience constant friction. It presents itself as red, irritated skin, bumps, peeling of skin, and also pigmentation at a later stage.

While the condition isn’t dangerous or harmful, it is very uncomfortable and can be painful. Constant irritation of the skin can eventually aggravate the condition and lead to inflammation, infection, increased sensitivity, discolouration, and even scarring if left untreated—which in general, makes everyday activities a little unbearable to carry out.

Dr Reddy recommends treating chafing, firstly, with lifestyle changes especially if you’re obese or have a history of diabetes. Of course, during this period you also need to let your skin rest to prevent further friction. “Avoid excessively tight clothing while working out, as this can trap heat and sweat, and lead to more chafing that will worsen the condition. Make sure to shower right after any physical exercise and always wear loose cotton clothing—avoid synthetic fabrics.”

Ensure that you shower with lukewarm water around the area and not hot water that will aggravate the inflammation. Use a gentle soap or shower gel to cleanse the area—gentle is the keyword here, as anything with heavy fragrances or harsh ingredients can strip off the natural oils and irritate the area further. Dr Reddy recommends applying ointments that are petroleum jelly based or thicker lanolin-based balms. These will help prevent friction. “Another way to prevent further damage is to use a dusting powder when there is excessive sweat, as that absorbs it.”

Contrary to popular belief, according to the expert, deodorant may not help much to prevent chafing especially if it is aluminum-based or contains synthetic or artificial fragrances. She says, using an organic deodorant stick would be suitable for everyday use.

Body tape is a common hack to prevent chafing, especially when someone has heavier breasts. Dr Reddy says that it’s good to use occasionally, but she doesn’t recommend it for daily use. “The tape can lead to further irritation of sensitive skin and can cause chafing. It isn’t a long-term option.”

Creams like petroleum jelly and lanolin-based ointments help protect and strengthen the skin barrier, and therefore help with chafing. “Homeoplasmine can help with excessive friction and seals out moisture. It even heals chafing in a quicker manner too.”

Used in nappy rash creams for babies, zinc oxide is one of the best ways to treat chafing according to the expert. It provides a suitable environment for quick healing and can act like an anti-inflammatory too.

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