We're Not Letting Thigh Chafing Ruin Our Summer. Here's How To Treat & Prevent The Annoyance

Thigh chafing is a huge annoyance in the summer, but we're not letting it slow us down. You've been waiting all year to wear shorts, skirts, and summer dresses, but the prospect of sweaty thighs rubbing together is a total bummer. And let's be honest, having thighs that touch is so common, this summer problem concerns many of us.

While thigh chafing is initially annoying, it can also lead to serious skin issues. Dermatologist Deanne Robinson told InStyle, "Thigh chafing refers to the irritation that results from skin on the inner thighs rubbing against each other. The irritation often presents as red, blister-like lesions that might burn, sting, or in general feel uncomfortable." 

It's not unusual if chafing is on your radar. Your skin is perfectly healthy and fine if this occurs to you, but you want to be mindful of avoiding this situation. The good news is that there are ways to prevent it from happening and ways to treat thigh chafing if it does happen. So, don't allow it to slow you down this summer, and wear exactly what you want without worrying about any irritation or discomfort.

The best way to tackle thigh chafing is first through prevention. The first step is taking care of your skin. "Make sure to moisturize the skin regularly, and apply an occlusive product over high-risk areas," dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner explained to InStyle. "Ceramides also help repair the skin barrier." 

There are a few products that can help, should you want to go out in shorts. There's the Anti-Chafe Stick with Shea Butter + Colloidal Oatmeal by First Aid Beauty. There's also the Thigh Rescue Anti-Chafe Stick by Megababe. Apply these on your inner thighs so that they don't rub or stick together. Dusting powders also work well, as they wick away moisture and sweat on the thighs.

Another option is to wear fabric that keeps your thighs from rubbing together. Breezy summer linen pants keep thigh skin separated and cool. There are layering options too. The Canadian brand Thigh Society creates clothes that are all about thigh comfort. They make several kinds of biker shorts that are geared toward wicking swear and reducing irritating moisture. You can wear these under dresses and skirts to achieve peak summer comfort. 

No matter how much you try to prevent it, thighs can still chafe once in a while, leaving you with red, raw, blistered skin. Thankfully, there are ways to take care of the irritated skin. The first thing is to prevent further chafing, so wear loose fabric until your skin heals so that the problem isn't exacerbated. "Skin irritation can lead to discomfort, redness, pain, itching, infection, and scarring with discoloration," dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick told InStyle, noting that it's best to act quickly when it occurs.

Wash the affected area in lukewarm water and gentle, unscented soap. Gently towel dry the skin and apply a repairing product like Avene Cicalfate+ Repair Cream or even a 1% hydrocortisone cream. Following this, routinely apply Vaseline or Aquaphor, to create a protective barrier and keep moisture in your skin. Another great option is the Aquaphor Healing Balm Stick to take care of chafed skin.