We have all been there. It’s a regular day, you’re going about your normal business and all of a sudden you start to feel a slight burning between your thighs.
First, you try to ignore it. ‘I am above pain’ you tell yourself, ‘If I pay it no mind, it will go away’ you think. But the burning only gets more intense, and now you’re sweating even more because you’re dreading what you will find when you finally manage to duck waddle your way to a ladies room and survey the damage.
There’s nothing cute about red, aching, blistery thighs, here are my tried and true methods for preventing and treating the dreaded chub rub:
Prevention
These are my two main ways to prevent chafing:
The Deodorant Hack
Amy Schumer changed my life with this Instagram post before the Met Gala in 2016. All you need is stick deodorant. The silky texture acts as a lubricant that allows your thighs to glide off each other cleanly. Simply apply directly to your thighs, making sure to go allll the way up your inner leg. Anyplace your thighs touch should be covered. This is perfect in a pinch or for short trips. I find that the effect does wear off after a few hours with profusive sweating (and I’m always sweating profusely)
The Slip Short
I recently discovered the idea of a slip short and it’s brilliant. These are non-control shorts made of a breathable fabric that act as a physical barrier between your thighs. My personal favorite is Thigh Society. They have a range of lengths, colors, and even a special ‘cooling’ model that helps keep everything ventilated. (See above comment on profusive sweating for why I love these so much.) As a bonus they also help minimize panty lines.
Treatment
It’s too late, you’re in serious pain, now what?
I keep baby powder in my purse for emergencies, it helps a bit to combat chafing as it’s happening, but you do need to reapply often. When I get home, here’s my tried and true method for relieving the burn:
- Take an Epsom Salt Bath. Your thighs will be HOT and the epsom salt helps to cool them down. Soak for around half an hour or as long as you’d like. Be sure to gently pat your skin dry when you’re done.
- Surround your thighs with medicine. Take a fresh clean towel and sprinkle a medicated powder all over it (I like Ammens). Sit on one side of the towel with your legs spread apart and fold up the other side so your thighs are surrounded by cooling powder goodness. You’ll need to do this without any underwear on, so plan to be alone for at least half an hour. When you’re done, crab walk the towel to your bathroom and empty the powder out in the tub.
- Loose fitting pants are your friends. Anything tight will irritate your sensitive skin but you still want to have a barrier. I also find that depending on where the rash is, going commando can make a huge difference. You can also wear a loose fitting short or slip short under skirts/dresses the day after to help prevent the problem form getting worse.
If your rash blisters and opens up, be extra careful to keep the area dry and clean. If you notice swelling, yellow discharge, or any signs of infection see your dermatologist ASAP.
I hope these tips help you combat chub rub and enjoy the summer months chafe free!
Here's to making an Impact together!
