How to Prevent Chafing: 5 Expert Tips

It typically occurs on the parts of the body most prone to constant friction and rubbing, such as the nipples, underarms, inner thighs, and the feet and toes, says Karan Lal, DO, a pediatric and adult dermatologist based in New York City. “It happens when people are exercising, running, doing any kind of repeated movement,” Dr. Lal says.

If you have chafing, know that there are ways to manage it or prevent it altogether. These five tips can help you prevent chafing.

For everyday wear, like T-shirts, pants, bras, and underwear, opt for soft breathable materials, such as 100 percent cotton, instead of coarse, stiff fabrics like denim, linen, or leather, Dr. Adigun says.

The fit of your clothes matters too, especially if you’re working out. Clothes and shoes should be snug — but not tight. If you’re shopping for sports bras and running shorts, look for seamless or flat-seamed options that won’t dig into your skin while you’re lifting weights, riding a bike, or doing yoga, for instance, Adigun says.

Also, be sure to give your new gear a test run before you work out, and don’t break in new clothes or shoes during a long activity. “You want to wear tried-and-true outfits that have not given you problems before,” she says.

This applies to your wearables too. Some people experience chafing on their wrist or bicep from fitness trackers, Adigun says. Try swapping out leather or silicone wristbands, which can trap moisture, for cotton or silk instead. And make sure it’s a comfortable fit — not so loose that it’s wriggling around on your arm when you’re running, but not too constricted either, she adds.

Prep your body before exercise by applying anti-chafing sticks, balms, or creams to the areas of your body that are most prone to friction, such as your inner thighs, underarms, nipples, or bra line. These products help create a protective barrier that reduces skin-on-skin or fabric-on-skin rubbing, says Lal.

“These anti-chafing sticks and creams repel sweat and water. They keep skin dry and allow the skin to slide over itself, again decreasing friction,” he says. You can also use these tools if you plan on exercising in wet weather, so that the rain will “bounce off” the skin instead of seeping into it, he adds.

Look for fragrance-free, sweat-resistant formulas designed for athletes, and reapply the product as needed during long workouts, especially in hot or humid conditions, says Lal. You could also try layering a bit of petroleum jelly on top of sensitive areas, dusting anti-chafing powder into your shoes, or using antiperspirant to prevent sweat and armpit chafing, he adds.

Lingering moisture, whether from sweat or wet or humid weather, can irritate skin and lead to chafing, so it’s important to keep your skin clean and dry, Adigun says.

If you feel like you’re chafing, stop the activity you’re doing and assess what may be triggering it. For instance, is discomfort on your heels being caused by new sneakers, or are your cycling shorts irritating your thighs? “We don’t want to dissuade people from doing their favorite activities — it’s just a matter of rethinking the gear they have on and changing into an appropriate material,” Lal says.

As the chafed area heals, be sure to wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing that doesn’t rub against the skin. You can also wear a bandage over the skin if it’s injured. Also, consider taking a break from the activity that was causing the chafing to allow your skin to heal, Lal says.

It’s time to see your doctor or a dermatologist if chafed skin doesn’t heal within a week or two, says Adigun. “Chafing can absolutely be managed in the right conditions, but in some cases, you may need antibiotics or a topical steroid, as there may be something going on with an infection,” she says.

Signs to watch for include:

• Your skin isn’t healing and doesn’t get better after a week of home treatments.

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• Your skin is itchy or painful to the touch.

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• Your skin is showing signs of an infection, such as warmth to the touch, yellow pus, or a foul smell.

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• Your skin develops open wounds, such as blisters and sores that appear inflamed or infected.

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• Your skin develops friction burns, which is a type of chafing that occurs when your skin is scraped off through contact with a rough surface.

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• Chafing is a common condition triggered by repeated skin-on-skin or skin-on-clothing friction.
• It typically happens during exercise when you’re doing a repeated motion, such as running or cycling.
• It’s preventable through strategies like choosing the right fabrics and clothing for an activity, prepping chafe-prone parts of the body with creams, balms, or powders, and changing out of dirty, sweaty clothing quickly after a workout.