Chafing

Chafing

Friction You Shouldn't Ignore

Rub two sticks together and you'll make a fire. Rub two thighs together and you'll get the human equivalent: A patch of skin so red and inflamed that it looks as though it's been badly sunburned.

"Chafing occurs as a result of skin-to-skin rubbing," explains Mary Lupo, M.D., associate clinical professor of dermatology at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans. Heat, humidity and sweat make chafing more likely occur, particularly in moist areas between the thighs, under the breasts and in the armpits of heavier people.

Chafing is more pronounced if you wear synthetic fabrics--polyester pants, lycra bike shorts, nylon panty hose and spandex tights, for example--that trap moisture and reduce airflow to vulnerable areas, says Deborah S. Sarnoff, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at New York University in New York City. And if you've recently been on antibiotics, chafing may make you more susceptible to a yeast infection in the affected area.

SOOTHING RILED SKIN

Women doctors say that, fortunately, chafed skin is easily soothed. Here's what they suggest.

Strip. Ideally, the best way to deal with chafing is to remove your clothes and walk around nude whenever you're at home, says Esta Kronberg, M.D., a dermatologist in private practice in Houston. If modesty or circumstances prevent you from taking that tack, pull on a peasant dress or caftan that allows air to circulate freely around your body. The air reduces excess moisture on the skin that interferes with healing.

Apply a medicated cream. If the chafed area feels really irritated, smooth on an over-the-counter cortisone cream such as Cortaid, says Dr. Kronberg. The cream will stop the inflammation and soothe your skin.

Try an antifungal cream. "If cortisone cream doesn't work, and the redness and tenderness get worse over the next 24 hours, you probably have a yeast infection," says Dr. Kronberg. Apply Lotrimin or Monistat to the area--yes, the same cream that's sold for vaginal yeast infections. Just follow dosage instructions on the package.

Rinse, then rinse again. After you bathe or shower, rinse your body thoroughly so that no soap remains on your skin, says Dr. Lupo. Soap residues can compound chafing by irritating the skin, and they can disrupt your body's natural moisture barriers that normally shield you from at least some of the friction generated by skin-to-skin rubbing.

Turn on your hair dryer. "Once you're out of the shower, put your hair dryer on a low setting and dry all areas prone to chafing and yeast," says Dr. Sarnoff.

"Be meticulous in drying," adds Dr. Lupo. "Lift your belly if it hangs down a bit and dry the skin underneath. Lift your breasts as well. And pay particular attention to your thighs."

Sprinkle on an absorbent powder. Sprinkle a light covering of Zeasorb powder in areas prone to chafing, says Dr. Lupo. The powder, which is available at your local drugstore, will actually absorb at least some excess moisture as you move through your day, and it will zap any errant yeast cells that might have plans for colonizing on your skin.

Use tampons, not pads. Since sanitary napkins prevent the free flow of air and cause a buildup of moisture where crotch and thigh meet, use tampons instead, suggests Dr. Sarnoff. If you can't use tampons, make sure that you change your sanitary napkin frequently and sprinkle a little Zeasorb-AF powder over fresh napkins.

Lose weight. If you're significantly overweight, the best way to prevent chafing is to lose excess pounds, says Dr. Sarnoff. Then you're much less likely to have sagging skin that can rub against the rest of your body.