Chub rub? 3 easy ways to stop chafing during summer

Summer is here and so are the skin troubles we despise. Chafing, commonly known as chub rub, is one of them. It is a common yet largely ignored skin issue which is usually caused by repetitive friction, through skin-to-skin or clothing-to-skin contact. It is often associated with pain, stinging, or a burning sensation.

These rashes and blisters are caused by the summer heat, sweat, and frequent rubbing of the thighs and underarms. Chafing feels like you’re holding a ball of fire between your legs and still trying to be comfortable.

To know more about the tips to avoid chafing and common places of its occurrence, Health Shots got in touch with Ms Maharukh T Rustomjee, a skin care expert.

Chafing can occur anywhere on your body but it is more common in these areas:

1. Underarms
2. Thighs
3. Nipple area
4. Groin
5. Shoulders
6. Under breast areas

“These are the target areas for summer skin problems to occur. But it can be easily prevented. In simple words, you must decrease the amount of friction on your skin to prevent chafing. Well, let’s have a look at some of the ways to do this.” says Rustomjee.

4 ways to stop chafing in summer:

1. Stay clean and dry

Wet skin can worsen the condition in summer. Keep your nether regions dry at all times. If you suffer from excessive sweat, then a mild lotion around the area is good to keep you away from sweat. Try wearing loose clothes with rapid dry technology.

2. Use an anti-chafing gel or cream

Using a good anti-chafing cream or a gel not only prevents you from it but also protects your skin for hours against friction and the problems caused by skin to skin friction and skin to clothes friction as well. With a proactive approach, use Anti-chafing gels that can create an invisible barrier gel between skin and clothes.

3. Dress right

Wear clothes made of natural fibers that are comfortable and keep moisture away. Avoid wearing cotton clothes during workouts or sports activities as they can soak up your sweat and act as a breeding ground for bacteria. Thigh chafing can be reduced by using compression shorts, such as those used by cyclists. Wear athletic clothing and bras with smooth seams to avoid bra rash and other frictional rashes.

Quick tip: Allow your skin to recover from it before returning to your normal activities. Friction will simply aggravate the situation and may lead to infection.

They say chafing only happens with obese people. But is that really true? There are many misconceptions and myths related to it that need to be debunked. Despite the fact that this is a widespread condition, there is a scarcity of information on the subject.

Here are some common chafing myths and facts:

MYTH 1: Larger people are more prone to this problem

FACT: Chafing of the thighs or other body parts can happen to anyone. The underlying causes might be anything from excessive sweating to dry skin to clothes that don’t allow air circulation. “Friction is the main problem, but even if you don’t have any of the aforementioned, friction can be generated by clothing rubbing against your skin. Rashes and redness on thigh, underarms can affect anyone of any size, so don’t think you’re exempted if you’re slim,” says Rustomjee, who is also the managing partner at Amaterasu Lifesciences LLP.

MYTH 2: Talcum powder can be used to prevent it

FACT: Talcum powder can be useful since it absorbs moisture; nevertheless, more research is showing that agents like talcum powder and other compounds should be kept away from the groin area because some ingredients may be harmful for intimate areas. Talcum powder is definitely a no-no as a chafing ‘cure.’ It’s not only inconvenient and messy; but also potentially detrimental to human health.

Rustomjee suggests that talcum powder can help to dry off any moisture in the area, the health concerns are generally not worth it. Instead, applying anti-chafing gel or natural creams can be beneficial. It is gentle on your skin and are specially formulated for this skin problem.

MYTH 3: Chafing on the thighs causes you to sweat more

FACT: When it comes to chafing on your thighs and if it causes excessive sweating, the answer is NO. It maybe dry skin that causes the body’s defense strategy is to produce moisture, which may seem like sweat. Thigh chafing can cause your skin to darken in spots, but it doesn’t make you sweat more.

MYTH 4: Only athletes suffer from chafing

FACT: It’s a fact that runners and endurance athletes are more likely to experience chafing due to the physical activity, repetitive movements, skin-to-skin and skin-to-clothing contact combined with sweat and moisture that increases the chances of it. However, any non-athlete or non-sports person can also experience this problem. People prone to it can get this even while doing normal movements like walking or sitting in the same position.

MYTH 5: Thighs are the only part of the body where it occurs

FACT: This is incorrect. Chafing can occur in nether regions of the body, including the genitourinary system of women. The vulva is the most prevalent site for vulvovaginal yeast and bacterial infections, which are caused by friction and perspiration. It can happen anywhere in the body, but it’s most common around the following areas: underarms, thighs, nipple region and groin are particularly vulnerable.

You can only do so much to avoid chafing. If you are involved in sports or physical activity, it’s more likely that this issue is going to be an integral part. No matter how hard you try, it might creep up on you. But don’t let it stop you from playing your favorite sport or achieving your desired goals and performance targets. Follow these excellent ways to prevent it. Also, using silicone based anti-chafing products and barrier gels is the most effective and highly recommended solution to stop it even before it happens!