One of the most common complaints that you will get to hear among the athletes is chafing while running. Besides that, chafing can be a very crippling thing for runners. Chafing is of two types – one is skin-to-skin chafing and the other is fabric-to-skin chafing. Skin-to-skin chafing occurs when while running your thighs or underarms rub together. Fabric-to-skin chafing is when your bottoms, sports bras, or shirts rub on the skin and make it worse, causing rashes and others. There can be several reasons for chafing, some of them are loose-fitting clothes, an extra bodyweight, non-breathable fabrics, sensitive skin, hot or humid weather, and large muscles.
Minor chafing may not seem like a big issue, but it can turn out to be very painful and can block your progress and overall performance. It can force you to stop running in some situations. Plus, if you are running and chafing then it will get worse and it can also be that you may need time or take time off to heal yourselves. But there is nothing to worry about because here are some tips that will help you to prevent chafing while running. Let’s just have a look at it –
Wear Skin-Tight Layers –
If you want to stop the chafing then you should wear skin-tight layers. One of the best methods to avoid chafing is to reduce the friction that comes on your skin. Tight clothes which you wear can work like a barrier preventing the rubbing of the skin against each other. As Dr.DendyEngleman from Manhattan Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery and Director of Dermatologic Surgery at Metropolitan Hospital, a well-known dermatologist has opined that you should not wear clothes of cotton which are loose or ill-fitting as it can trap moisture, instead you should wear clothes from synthetic materials like tops and bottoms that will stick to your body and will prevent chaffing of the skin.
Wear Thigh Bands that are Anti-Chafing –
One of the best choices for preventing the chafing of things is the thigh bands. While running it helps a lot. If you want to know which is one of the best brands for thigh bands then you should choose Banelettes. These thigh bands are made so that you can wear them high on the thighs so that you can avoid groin or thigh chafing. The anti-thigh chafing is made from synthetic microfibers and silicone that are non-slip, so due to this, there is no sliding down of the bands from the thighs.
Apply a Good Lotion –
Many people think that applying lotion can encourage chafing of things, but the fact is that it is quite opposite. If there is a little bit of lubrication then it stops the friction that can lead to chafing. To avert the rash from running, Dr. Dendy suggests using a Vaseline body glide which is specially made for runners, or a hypoallergenic balm for the sensitive area before beginning. You should apply the lotion properly in your thighs and armpits and groins and other areas necessary, Nutra Charm
Switch to Powder Job –
Once you notice the chafing then you should use powder. The powder is the only thing that can work very nicely. Before you start running apply the powder to your thighs and armpits. But it is recommended that you should use a medicated powder so that the chaffed area is dry. You can also use corn-starch powder for stopping the sweating in the problems.
Make Sure that Your Gears Do Not Cause Chaffing –
Many times it happens that people use various kinds of equipment like heart rate monitors, armbands, hydration packs, and belts for their phones and these things also cause chafing. Before you start running make sure that you do not have such accessories and even if you use the same then tighten your straps, so that your gears are not moving. And, lubricate the areas where it can touch.
Staying Hydrated –
Prevention is one of the best things that you can do when it comes to any sports-related ailments and this applies to chaffing also. Keeping oneself hydrated while running will lower the sweating and will stop the friction that occurs when running. One of the best ways to avoid chafing is to take water properly. Chafing while running is possible anywhere where you have clothes rubbing against your body or when the body rubs against your body. Some of the common areas where there is chaffing are thighs, groin, nipples, and armpits.
Preventing Chafing in Certain Areas –
Thigh Chafing –
Chaffing in the thighs is one of the things that affect the running and also the performance. It is bad and it can affect your daily life and sometimes it can cause rashes and injury on the skin, redness which can make you stop running and exercising till the time it heals. If you are suffering from the same then these can help you –
You can keep your thighs dry by using a non-talcum body powder or you can even use a sports powder before you think about running. This will ensure extra protection. Besides that, you can also choose to wear spandex or compression shorts that are light. Spandex and compression shorts are breathable and runner-friendly fabrics. Make sure that the shorts are long enough to cover that particular area that has chafed in the past. If you are wearing a loose garment then you can choose to wear under the garments some shorts or leggings. Make sure that it is comfortable what you wear to avoid chafing, and layer the bottoms.
Groin Chafing –
This type of chafing is also very common among men and women. It can become an extremely painful issue. If your groin is chafing then you should follow the following – You should apply a lot of lubricants. Like that of A&D ointment or Vaseline which will stop your skin from becoming too dry and rubbing together. If you are a long-distance runner then it is important to keep reapplying in the areas where there is chafing. Another thing that you can do is to apply lotion to your upper things if you are running in a bikini or underwear or briefs. This is important because such types of underwear and briefs can irritate the area. Plus, wear snug shorts for workouts as seamless shorts are good for groin chafing. It will be good if you avert wearing shorts that bunch up near the groin area.
Armpit Chafing –
Armpits are also one of the areas where chafing is very common. Here are some tips to keep your armpits from chaffing. It is better to keep your armpit hair long or to make sure that it is clean and shaven. Applying lotion is another way to prevent the problem in the area. Use a silicone-based lubricant or use an antiperspirant that dries into a powder. Your shirts should also fit well under the armpits, if shirts are tight in your armpits, then it will cause chafing.
Conclusion –
One of the best ways to prevent chafing is to use powder and lotion. But most important is to do exercises which help in reducing the weight or fats in the areas like under the armpits and around the thigh’s areas. Apart from running, you should also exercise especially for your arms and things, because chafing mostly happens due to excess fat or weight in the area.
