If you have an aloe plant at home, you can break off a leaf, squeeze the gel out, and apply it to your skin. You can also buy aloe vera leaves at some natural food stores.
5 Home Remedies to Help Soothe Chafed Skin
Chafing happens when skin rubs together and the friction causes redness, irritation, and discomfort.
Common areas for chafed skin include the inner thighs, armpits, buttocks, groin, and even the nipples. Sometimes, chafed skin can be so irritated that doctors call it friction burn.
The good news is that you don’t have to let chafed skin get you down. In this article, we’ll take a look at five simple home remedies that can help ease the pain and discomfort of chafed skin.
Although your skin is tough and can protect you from many things, it can break down if it’s overworked. Repeated friction, especially when combined with moisture, can result in chafed skin. Some of the most common causes include the following:
- Carrying extra weight. Excess weight in the thighs, arms, or abdomen can increase the risk of skin rubbing against itself and causing irritation.
- Breastfeeding. Nursing moms often experience skin chafing due to moisture on the nipples compounded by wearing a nursing bra.
- Running. Chafing tends to be common with distance runners due to the repetitive motion of running, combined with sweaty skin and clothing that rubs on the skin.
- Bicycling. When the thighs and buttocks repetitively rub against a bicycle seat, it can cause the skin to chafe.
- Tight clothing. Clothing that’s too tight, like an excessively tight bra or underwear, can repeatedly rub on your skin and cause chafing.
- Diapers. Chafing can affect babies, too. Diapers that are too small, wet, or tight can cause skin chafing.
These are just a few examples of how the skin can get chafed. Any combination of moisture and your skin rubbing against something can cause chafing.
It’s important not to ignore chafed skin. Inflamed, moisture-laden skin can lead to a skin infection if left untreated.
The first step to treating chafed skin is to cleanse the area with a gentle body wash and lukewarm water. Pat the skin dry, and let the chafed area air out for a few minutes before applying one of the following home remedies.
Aloe vera is a succulent that has a long history of being used for medicinal purposes. The clear gel that’s found inside its leaves has been used for centuries to soothe and treat burned skin and other surface wounds.
It may also help reduce the irritation and inflammation caused by chafing.
If you have an aloe plant at home, you can break off a leaf, squeeze the gel out, and apply it to your skin. You can also buy aloe vera leaves at some natural food stores.
If you can’t find aloe vera leaves or don’t want to extract the gel yourself, you can buy aloe vera gel at a drugstore or online.
According to research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, applying petroleum jelly to chafed skin can help reduce further irritation.
Because it provides a slippery surface and isn’t quickly absorbed into the skin, petroleum jelly may also help prevent chafing.
Creams with zinc oxide are also effective at blocking moisture and preventing chafing.
Research has shown that coconut oil may reduce inflammation, help with wound healing, and kill off bacteria on the skin. Dab a small amount of coconut oil to help soothe any area of chafed skin.
Although coconut oil can help heal raw, irritated skin, it may not remain on the skin for long. This makes it ineffective at preventing chafing.
Cornstarch has the ability to absorb extra moisture from the skin and to reduce itching. It can also create a silky feeling on the skin that may help prevent further friction and irritation.
Cornstarch can be used as an alternative to talcum powders, which have raised some concerns due to their possible link to cancer .
Shea butter is a lotion that’s high in fatty acids and may help soften and nourish the skin. According to a 2012 study , it also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help promote skin healing.
These remedies are typically safe to apply to moderately chafed skin. However, if your skin has blisters or open sores, it’s best to leave them free of powders or lotions until the skin has healed to form a protective barrier.
The one exception to this is petroleum jelly. Apply it to the wound until it heals, and keep the area covered with a bandage.
If home remedies don’t help, or if you want a stronger treatment, you can use a topical corticosteroid cream. You can purchase these topical creams at most drugstores.
Talk to your doctor if you’re not sure what type of cream is right for you.
To help prevent your skin from getting chafed, you can:
- Apply balms or creams to areas prone to chafing. Petroleum jelly, zinc oxide, or other anti-chafing balms or creams (see product recommendations below) can help protect your skin from the friction of repetitive motions.
- Wear protective covers or nipple shields. Whether for nursing moms or distance runners, these protective covers can reduce nipple friction when running.
- Wear protective shorts. Leggings or bicycle shorts can prevent the skin from rubbing against itself. These shorts are usually made of soft elastic materials that can reduce friction.
- Switch to larger diaper. For little ones, using a slightly larger-sized diaper or applying the diaper more loosely can reduce skin chafing. Also, frequently changing the diaper when soiled will reduce chafing and diaper rash.
Anti-chafing products
If you’re prone to chafed skin, you may want to consider using an anti-chafing gel or cream to protect your skin. You can also use these products to reduce friction while your chafed skin heals. Some products that work well include:
- Body Glide Original Anti-Chafe Balm. Made from plant-derived ingredients, you can apply this nongreasy balm on a daily basis to any area that’s prone to chafing.
- Chamois Butt’r Original Anti-Chafe Cream. Developed by a cyclist, this anti-chafing cream is a favorite with athletes. It contains ingredients like lanolin, glycerin, and mineral oil that can reduce friction.
- Squirrel’s Nut Butter All-Natural Anti-Chafe Salve. This salve uses natural nut butters to reduce skin friction. It also contains vitamin E oil to help keep skin soft.
Chafed skin is a common issue caused by repetitive friction that can break down the skin and cause redness, irritation, inflammation, and discomfort.
Topical corticosteroid creams can help soothe chafed skin, as can several home remedies, like aloe vera, coconut oil, shea butter, cornstarch, zinc oxide, and petroleum jelly.
If your chafed skin doesn’t improve with home remedies or over-the-counter creams, be sure to follow up with your doctor.
Last medically reviewed on August 23, 2019
How we reviewed this article:
Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
- Aloe vera. (2016).
nccih.nih.gov/health/aloevera - Basler R, et al. (2004). Athletic skin injuries: Combating pressure and friction.
pdfs.semanticscholar.org/48ab/36c2f9633113dbdb1acbe268b59d242d493e.pdf?_ga=2.239149827.1069325518.1565535107-171421998.1532133272 - Lin T-K, et al. (2018). Anti-inflammatory and skin barrier repair effects of topical application of some plant oils. DOI:
10.3390/ijms19010070 - Mailler EA, et al. (2004). The wear and tear of 26.2: Dermatological injuries reported on marathon day. DOI:
10.1136/bjsm.2004.011874 - Sanchez J. (2018). Using aloe vera has multiple benefits.
bcm.edu/news/skin-and-hair/benefits-of-using-aloe-vera - Talcum powder and cancer. (2018).
cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/talcum-powder-and-cancer.html
Chafing
Chafing is a skin condition that occurs when you have repeated skin-on-skin contact or when your skin rubs against clothing or another material. Common causes include intense exercise, ill-fitting clothes, excess skin and hot weather. Prevention includes wearing appropriate clothing and using anti-chafing products or petroleum jelly.
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Overview
The most common chafing areas include your armpits, nipples, breasts, butt, groin and thighs.
What is chafing?
The medical definition of chafing is a skin irritation that happens when your skin rubs against another part of your skin. It can also occur when your skin rubs against clothing or another material. Repeated friction causes the condition, but moisture can make it worse. Chafing commonly occurs in warm, moist areas such as your inner thighs, groin, buttocks, armpits and under your breasts. The condition can be painful but it’s usually mild and easily treatable.
Where can chafing occur?
Chafing can happen anywhere you have skin folds, but it can also occur where any parts of your body rub together or against clothing.
Breast and nipple chafing
The areas between and under your breasts are common areas of chafing. You may experience skin-on-skin or skin-on-clothing friction. Nipple chafing is common among people who breastfeed (chestfeed), as well as among athletes.
Armpit chafing
The combination of dry skin, sweat and friction can cause chafing under your arms. This type of chafing is common among athletes, people with obesity and people who work in hot, humid environments.
Thigh chafing
Thigh chafing occurs when your inner thighs rub against each other through skin-to-skin contact or through your clothing. Chafing thighs may be worse in hot weather. People of all shapes and sizes may experience this type of chafing.
Groin chafing
A combination of friction and moisture causes chafing around your groin area, including your penis or your vaginal area. Your skin around this area is very sensitive, and therefore, easily irritated.
Butt chafing
You can think of buttock chafing kind of like a baby’s diaper rash. This type of chafing can affect the area between your butt cheeks. It may also affect the area along the bottom part of your buttocks where it meets your upper legs.
Feet chafing
Foot or feet chafing typically occurs due to blisters. Blisters are areas of raised skin that bubble and form due to repeated rubbing and pressure. They occur most often when your skin is sweaty and slipping around. That’s why you may get more blisters in the summertime or while exercising.
Symptoms and Causes
What does chafing look like?
Chafing can affect many areas of your body, and symptoms can be mild or severe.
Mild symptoms
Mild symptoms of chafing may be unnoticeable initially. You may only notice the condition when you feel your skin rub against another area. Mild symptoms may include:
- Red rash.
- Raised bumps.
- Hot feeling on and around the affected area.
- Stinging or burning sensation.
- Itching.
- Excessive irritation.
- Tender skin.
- Flaky, dry skin.
Severe symptoms
If you don’t stop the activity that caused the chafing, symptoms may get worse. Severe symptoms may include:
- Welts on all layers of your skin.
- Muscle pain.
- Swelling on and around the affected area.
- Cracked and broken skin.
- Bleeding.
- Blisters or sores.
- Secondary skin infections.
What causes chafing?
Your skin can withstand only so much friction. When it repeatedly rubs against other parts of your body, clothing or other surfaces, chafing may occur. When combined with moisture, your skin becomes even more susceptible to damage. Causes of chafing may include:
- Exercise: Repetitive motions like those made through intense exercises such as running or biking can cause friction against your skin or clothes. Sweat combined with friction can lead to a worsening condition.
- Clothes: Poorly fitting, restrictive clothing can rub your skin in uncomfortable ways. In addition, certain fabrics can cause irritation. Wet clothing can bunch up or stick to your skin as well, which causes friction.
- Shoes:Shoes that are too tight or too big can rub against your feet. This can cause blisters and make it uncomfortable to walk.
- Body weight: People with obesity have more skin folds, which are common areas where chafing occurs.
- Breastfeeding (chestfeeding): If you breastfeed (chestfeed) your infant, the process can irritate your nipples and lead to chafing. In addition, nursing pads and bras can also cause friction.
- Diapers: If your baby sits in a wet or dirty diaper for a long period of time, they can develop a kind of chafing called diaper dermatitis.
- Weather: Hot and humid weather can cause excess sweating (hyperhidrosis). This can lead to inflammation and rashes on certain areas of your body.
Diagnosis and Tests
How is chafing diagnosed?
You usually don’t need to see your healthcare provider for mild cases of chafing, and you can probably diagnose the condition yourself at home. The condition is easy to distinguish from other rashes because of the location on your body. The rash also comes on slowly and may gradually worsen as more skin chafes.
Management and Treatment
How is chafing treated?
Chafing treatment typically includes home remedies for mild cases. To help stop chafing, discontinue whatever activity caused the condition. If you don’t avoid the situation that caused the infection, you’ll make your symptoms worse. By simply eliminating the irritant, you should be able to get rid of chafing.
To heal chafing at home, first, clean the affected area completely with mild soap and water. After you’ve cleaned and dried the infected area, apply an aloe vera gel. Aloe vera may help relieve any pain and prevent further infection. Then, apply a layer of petroleum jelly to help heal irritation and prevent the chafing from getting any worse. To treat chafing in your groin area, you may try applying cornstarch to help absorb excess moisture.
Chafing may not heal overnight, but you should be able to get rid of it within a few days. Avoid the activity that caused the chafing and wear well-fitting clothing until your skin heals.
You should see your healthcare provider for medical treatment of chafing if the condition worsens or gets infected. In certain cases, your healthcare provider may prescribe a topical antibiotic or corticosteroid.
Prevention
How can I prevent chafing?
There are many steps you can take to prevent chafing. These steps include:
- If something starts hurting and feels like it’s chafing your skin, stop what you’re doing. Continuing may worsen the condition.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing. Check labels, and make sure to wear 100% cotton fabric. Cotton soaks up moisture and sweat. Seams and tags can also cause irritation. Keep your clothing clean and dry. Dried sweat, dirt and other debris can cause irritation.
- Use petroleum jelly, an anti-chafing cream or an anti-chafing stick to prevent chafing in easily irritated areas. This tip may be especially useful to help prevent and stop thigh chafing.
- Wear moisture-wicking socks to protect your feet from blisters. Also, wear properly fitting shoes.
- Apply soft, flexible bandages to areas such as your feet or nipples, which are especially prone to chafing.
Outlook / Prognosis
What can I expect if I have chafed skin?
Chafing is an annoying skin condition, but most of the time, it’s harmless. Stop or avoid activities that cause chafing, and use the tips above to prevent the condition.
If you do experience chafing, clean the area and apply a lubricant to protect and heal your skin. Within a few days, the wound should heal. If the condition worsens, see your healthcare provider.
Living With
When should I see my healthcare provider?
Mild cases of chafing can get worse if you don’t stop whatever caused the condition and treat it. If you experience worsening symptoms such as discoloration or crusting, see your healthcare provider. You may need an antibiotic or antifungal medication. You may need to wrap blisters or sores to ensure they don’t pop or burst. If you don’t seek treatment, you could develop complications such as:
- Intertrigo:Intertrigo is a kind of dermatitis caused by skin folds rubbing up against each other in warm, moist areas. Intertrigo is more severe than chafing. It can cause an oozing rash and lead to yeast or bacterial infections.
- Infection: Severe chafing can cause severe damage to your skin, including open wounds. These sores can leave your body exposed to further infection.
- Friction burns: A friction burn is a severe type of chafing that can occur when your skin is scraped off through contact with another surface. Friction burns may increase your risk for an infection.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Chafing is an annoying condition that can happen to anyone. The best treatment for the condition is prevention. Wear properly fitting clothing, avoid activities that you know cause chafing and use an anti-chafing stick or cream. If you develop the condition, you should be able to easily treat it with aloe vera and petroleum jelly. If the condition worsens, see your healthcare provider for further treatment.
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