It’s such a familiar scenario: After a day of (sweaty!) fun in the sun, your inner thighs are red, raw, and painful. Or when you get back from Zumba class, the skin under your sports bra straps is burning like crazy.
Yes, you’re experiencing skin chafing, a rash-like inflammation (medically known as intertrigo) that happens when moist skin rubs against other moist skin or clothing, and it's “especially heightened during exercise or other activities that require long periods of movement,” says Ope Ofodile, M.D., M.P.H, Cosmetic and Medical Dermatologist at Dermatology and Surgery Specialists of North Atlanta.
It’s common in skin folds where sweat becomes trapped, such as the groin, the armpits, under the breasts, and between the thighs, especially after walking or other forms of exercise. Wearing tight or loose clothing, long-distance running or cycling, hot weather, and having sensitive skin can also increase your risk of chafing.
The most common signs of skin chafing include itching, red and inflamed skin, burning, stinging, and sometimes even bleeding or swelling. And because raw, moisture-laden skin invites microbial overgrowth, a skin infection can follow.
“Abrasion from moisture and friction makes microscopic cuts in the skin, and salt from sweat can exacerbate the irritation,” says Cameron Rokhsar, M.D., an associate clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
In more severe cases, skin chafing can cause painful blisters, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. “If you notice the area is extremely irritated, appears to be infected, or doesn't improve within five to seven days, contact your doctor ASAP,” says Dr. Ofodile.
Want to avoid chafed skin this season, or at least lessen its severity? Follow the dermatologist-approved advice below:
How to treat and soothe skin chafing
Smear on a barrier repair cream.
This skin product pulls double duty, so you can use it to both prevent and treat chafing, and it's something Mona Gohara, M.D., associate clinical professor in the department of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, recommends to her patients who struggle with this issue. It's basically a super-moisturizer that helps prevent the skin from losing too much moisture, and it also helps heal wounds or irritation like chafing. Use it straight out of the shower, Dr. Gohara says, and try her go-to: Avene Cicalfate+.
Cleanse with care.
Wash inflamed areas with a gentle body wash or plain lukewarm water to soothe irritation from dried sweat and help control fungal growth. Pat dry, don’t rub—then, if you can, let the inflamed skin air out for a few moments to make sure all dampness is gone. “You might even dry the area with a fan or a blowdryer set on cool,” Dr. Rokhsar says. Then apply a petroleum jelly or a zinc-based topical, which both help soothe and protect against future irritation, adds Dr. Ofodile.
Calm it with ointments.
Treat chafed skin twice a day with a zinc oxide ointment (often used in diaper rash products) or a balm, such as Aquaphor Healing Ointment or Eucerin Original Healing Cream to soothe the abrasion and restore damaged skin. If you need something stronger for a one-time incident, try applying a topical over-the-counter corticosteroid twice a day for three days, then taper off and quit before the two-week mark. “You don’t want to use steroids long-term due to potential side effects like thinning skin, stretch marks, and spider veins,” Dr. Rokhsar says.
Dove Sensitive Skin Nourishing Body Wash
Aveeno 1% Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream
Eucerin Original Healing Rich Creme
Consider medical options.
If chafing is from excessive sweating, you may have a condition called hyperhidrosis, which can be treated with prescription-strength aluminum chloride antiperspirants, Botox injections in the problem spots, oral meds, or MiraDry, an FDA-cleared treatment that destroys sweat glands in the underarm area. Talk to your dermatologist, who can figure out the best in-office treatment plan for you.
How to prevent skin chafing
Interrupt the friction.
Applying a thick, slippery product like petroleum jelly on chafe-prone areas reduces friction and prevents abrasion. “Products with silicone, beeswax, or shea butter provide the same benefit,” says Temitayo Ogunleye, M.D., an assistant professor of clinical dermatology at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. Don’t rely on oily lotions, which won’t last as long. “You want a product that you have to scoop out of the jar or is specially formulated for chafing,” Dr. Ogunleye says. If needed, reapply after about three hours.
Try an antiperspirant.
“One of the things I recommend to my patients is to use an antiperspirant or deodorant on the inner thigh to both prevent sweating and hyperpigmentation,” says Dr. Gohara. “My favorite is Dove Even Tone, which uses niacinamide to even out the skin.” Hyperpigmentation is discoloration of the skin, and it can occur over time in chafing-prone areas.
You can also try over-the-counter antiperspirants like Certain Dri, which contain the sweat-blocker aluminum chloride, in any moisture-prone skin fold, such as under the breasts or in the inner thigh or groin area—not just armpits! Apply a light layer and let it dry before any activity. Consider adding an anti-fungal powder (like this one) to help further wick away moisture and protect against infections, but avoid putting it on or around orifices meant to be moist, including the vagin*. There are even antiperspirant wipes that you can take on the go and swipe over your thighs or other problem areas, says Dr. Ofodile.
Vaseline Petroleum Jelly
Body Glide Original Anti-Chafe Balm
Wear protective clothing.
Moisture-trapping cotton is not your friend when it comes to chafed skin—instead, choose synthetic fabrics like polyester or Lycra, which aren’t as absorbent. Look for garments that have flat seams or are seamless, and remove any interior tags; this also helps prevent skin irritation. Even when you’re not working out, wearing tight, moisture-wicking athletic gear like sports bras and compression shorts (slip them on under a flowy dress) can reduce friction and create a barrier between two skin surfaces or between skin and clothing.
And when you're able to, be sure to strip out of your sweat-soaked clothing as soon as possible, says Dr. Ofodile, to let your moist skin breathe.
Richard Laliberte
Richard Laliberte is an award-winning veteran health journalist and former senior writer at Men's Health who writes for some of the nation's best-known magazines, blogs for WeightWatchers.com, and has authored several books.
Alyssa Jung
Senior Editor, Fitness & Nutrition
Alyssa is a senior editor for the Hearst Health Newsroom, where she has written research-backed health content for Prevention, Good Housekeeping and Woman's Day since 2017. She has more than 13 years of reporting and editing experience and previously worked as research chief at Reader’s Digest, where she was responsible for the website's health vertical as well as editing health content for the print magazine. She has also written for Chowhound, HealthiNation.com, Huffington Post and more.
Medically reviewed byMona A. Gohara, M.D.
Board-Certified Dermatologist
Mona Gohara, M.D. is a Yale-trained, board-certified dermatologist, Oberlin College-bred feminist, medical media expert, fashion fanatic, mom, wife, and virgo. Mona enjoys educating on skin health, skin cancer, skin of color, and sun protection. She has done this through writing, lecturing on the local, national, and international levels, and by engaging popular media. Mona is an active member of the American Academy of Dermatology, where she chaired the social media task force, The Women’s Dermatologic Society where she serves as president, and The American Society For Dermatologic Surgery, where she chairs the DEI Work Group. She is also a member of Prevention’s Medical Review Board.
