What Chafing Looks and Feels Like
Chafing can happen to anyone.
It’s normal for your thighs to rub together if you’re wearing a skirt, for example.
A chafing rash is often mild.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
it’s possible for you to usually get rid of chafing without a visit to the healthcare provider.
The symptoms of chafed skin can be mild or severe.
More serious cases of chafed skin may be accompanied by small lesions that burn when touched.
Underarm chafing
Frequent motion combined with a build-up of sweat makes the underarms especially prone to chafing.
You may experience underarm chafing when working outside in a humid environment or exercising.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
Mild Symptoms
Mild symptoms of skin chafing may not be noticeable at first.
They may only become obvious when the skin in the affected area rubs against another surface.
A mild case of chafed skin looks like a red rash.
In more severe cases, chafed skin may look swollen, or it may bleed or crust over.
Chafed skin takes one to two days to heal, as long as it is treated immediately.
It may require special care and antibiotic creams or ointments.
Similarly, blisters or sores will require special care.
Intertrigo
Severe chafed skin can lead to a jot down ofdermatitiscalledintertrigo.
It can also lead to other complications such as a yeast or bacterial infection.
Chafing is not a serious condition but it can lead to an infection if there is an open wound.
The skin is a protective organ for the whole body.
It needs to be in an optimal condition to avoid any lasting friction that could lead to damage.
A friction burn is usually both an abrasion and a heat burn.
Friction burns may increase the risk of a skin infection because they often leave an open wound.
They may result in temporary or permanent scarring of the skin.
Signs of infection include discoloration and crusting of the skin.
Chafed Skin Treatment
When it comes to chafed skin, many people opt for home remedies.
Home remedies for chafed skin are easily accessible and effective if the nature of the rash is not severe.
How to Prevent Chafing
Chafing can be prevented by following a series of simple steps.
If you are active, choose breathable workout clothes.
Synthetic fabrics labeled “moisture-wicking,” for example, will carry sweat away from your body.
Wear the Right Clothing
Your clothing may both cause chafing and prevent it.
Clothes with tight seams can rub against your skin, causing irritation.
Clothing with a looser fit won’t create friction.
you might also use products designed specifically for chafing, like natural (non-talcum) powders or anti-chafing sticks.
Anti-chafing bands can be worn on the thighs to help prevent rubbing or friction.
Chafing can also be minimized by applying a chafe-healing cream on the affected area before sleep.
Chronic chafing can occur for a variety of reasons, but it can be easy to manage.
Then plan on buying products and clothes that will be most effective at limiting chafing in your daily life.
Weight management could also be an option if excess weight is the cause of chafing.
Practicing good personal hygiene is another way to prevent chafing from happening.
Keep areas in the body where chafing happens most frequently dry and clean.
A healthcare provider can provide advice on solutions if an infection does occur.
Investing in anti-chafe products can also be a good solution.
Topical steroids reduce the inflammatory response.
Absorbent sports powders or those made with cornstarch can help you avoid getting chafed.
Use it under your arms, under breasts, around the groin, and between any skin folds.
If the area becomes increasingly red and more inflamed, a patch of intertrigo may be infected.
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