With all the nice perks of summer time — seaside days, BBQs, displaying some pores and skin — come some pesky issues, inner-thigh chafing being one in every of them. It isn’t that it would not occur in winter; it is simply that the potential for irritation from legs rubbing collectively is way greater in the summertime. Legs are out, and the warmth and humidity do not assist. So earlier than you let your legs free in that new floral gown you picked up or your favourite pair of jean shorts, heed some recommendation from a prime dermatologist on tips on how to stop chafing and deal with any rashes that happen. Then, it’s possible you’ll wish to replenish on a couple of products for thigh chafing to make sure all the things goes easily this season.

What Is Chafing?

First, let’s clear one thing up: chafing can occur anyplace on the physique the place there’s friction — not simply your thighs. It additionally generally happens from sports activities bras, boots, and even round Apple watches. “Chafing is disruption of the outer pores and skin layer attributable to friction, both from the pores and skin rubbing on itself or clothes,” Joshua Zeichner, MD, an affiliate professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York Metropolis, tells POPSUGAR. In consequence, pores and skin can grow to be infected and even uncooked. Whereas thigh chafing occurs all yr spherical it will possibly grow to be extra of a problem in the summertime since we could not have on the protecting layer of pants. “Chafing tends to worsen in the summertime months, when the climate is humid and the pores and skin produces extra sweat,” Dr. Zeichner says.

How one can Stop Thigh Chafing

Whilst you cannot cease your thighs from bodily rubbing collectively, you may make positive they’re safeguarded. First, attempt to hold your pores and skin moisturized normally, Dr. Zeichner recommends. Meaning do not skip that physique lotion or cream. Subsequent, apply one thing occlusive — a moisturizing agent that creates a barrier layer of safety — to the inner-thigh space earlier than you permit the home. Dr. Zeichner recommends the traditional Vaseline Petroleum Jelly ($5), “which incorporates purified petrolatum to kind a protecting layer over the pores and skin and decrease friction.”

There are additionally numerous thigh chafing therapies in the marketplace, just like the Megababe Thigh Rescue ($14) and the First Aid Beauty Anti-Chafe Stick with Shea Butter + Colloidal Oatmeal ($20). Each thigh chafing cream sticks might be swiftly swiped on high-risk areas as wanted. These merchandise are often some form of slippery end which you could apply on to your interior thighs to tone down the friction and forestall chafing.

In the event you’re sporting a gown, you may also wish to contemplate sporting light-weight bike shorts beneath for added assurance. And if pants are on faucet, a loose-fitting model is your finest wager.

Thigh-Chafing Remedies

“You probably have chafed pores and skin, the purpose of the remedy is to scale back irritation and restore the pores and skin barrier,” Dr. Zeichner says. You may wish to attain for a wealthy moisturizer like Eucerin Advanced Repair Cream ($8) or the Nécessaire The Body Lotion ($28), together with the Cortizone 10 Maximum Strength Plus Ultra Moisturizing 1% Hydrocortisone Creme ($8) to calm issues down.

Dr. Zeichner notes that cortisone lotions shouldn’t be used for greater than two weeks in a row, and when you have patches of open pores and skin that are not therapeutic after a couple of days, take into consideration visiting a dermatologist.