It may not be an official onomatopoeia, but it's one of those words that makes you cringe and feel uncomfortable when you say it: "Chafed." It's one of those things that doesn't seem like a big deal until it happens to you. And then, oh man, what wouldn't you do to soothe your chapped skin.
Chafing occurs when the skin repeatedly rubs against the skin or another surface - causing friction - and then some type of moisture is introduced. The combination of friction and moisture results in chafed skin that becomes red and irritated and causes a lot of discomfort.
Not surprisingly, the areas most prone to chafing are:
Thigh
Groin area
buttocks
armpits
You don't have to be a detective to find out WHAT is causing the chafing. Some of the most obvious causes of chafed skin include:
Excess weight - extra weight can cause the skin in these areas to rub against itself or clothing, causing irritation.
Exercise - especially jogging, cycling or even swimming, due to the rapid repetitive movements and sweating.
Clothing - Clothing that is very tight can cause the skin underneath to rub and cause this friction to occur.
Diapers - if they are too small and/or very wet, the baby's sensitive skin in the groin or bottom can become chafed and irritated.
If you have a problem with chafed skin, you should not neglect it. It is not advisable to leave it untreated and wait for it to heal as it can worsen and potentially lead to a skin infection.
Step 1 should be to gently clean the affected area, ventilate it a lot and leave it uncovered for as long as possible.
Next, choose one or more of the following simple, affordable, and accessible remedies that can provide relief in no time.
Aloe vera gel is found in the leaves of a living aloe plant and has amazing healing properties. You can simply break open one of the leaves and take the gel directly from the plant if you have one at home, or you can purchase it from a drugstore and gently apply it to the chafed areas.
Cornstarch is a fine powder that, when applied to the skin, can soothe the skin and absorb moisture. Stay away from the “baby powders” that have a lot of added chemicals and fragrances and use simple products as much as possible to avoid further skin reactions.
Shea butter has anti-inflammatory and healing properties and is very nourishing for the skin. A quality moisturizer that contains shea butter works wonders in healing chafed skin and also keeps healthy skin from drying out when used daily.
Essential oils have powerful healing properties. Some have a stronger scent than others, so you can sniff each oil and decide which one appeals to you. Tea tree oil is great for healing many skin problems, but the smell may be too strong for some people. It can also be combined with lavender or calendula oil to reduce the strong smell, and the combination of these essential oils is remarkable.
Give one or more of these options a fair chance to provide some comfort and relief if you have a problem with chafing. If you find that your skin is not responding to these treatment options, you should see a dermatologist for help. He may prescribe a medicated cream to control the situation and prevent infection.
Chafing occurs when the skin repeatedly rubs against the skin or another surface - causing friction - and then some type of moisture is introduced. The combination of friction and moisture results in chafed skin that becomes red and irritated and causes a lot of discomfort.
Not surprisingly, the areas most prone to chafing are:
Thigh
Groin area
buttocks
armpits
You don't have to be a detective to find out WHAT is causing the chafing. Some of the most obvious causes of chafed skin include:
Excess weight - extra weight can cause the skin in these areas to rub against itself or clothing, causing irritation.
Exercise - especially jogging, cycling or even swimming, due to the rapid repetitive movements and sweating.
Clothing - Clothing that is very tight can cause the skin underneath to rub and cause this friction to occur.
Diapers - if they are too small and/or very wet, the baby's sensitive skin in the groin or bottom can become chafed and irritated.
If you have a problem with chafed skin, you should not neglect it. It is not advisable to leave it untreated and wait for it to heal as it can worsen and potentially lead to a skin infection.
Step 1 should be to gently clean the affected area, ventilate it a lot and leave it uncovered for as long as possible.
Next, choose one or more of the following simple, affordable, and accessible remedies that can provide relief in no time.
Aloe vera gel is found in the leaves of a living aloe plant and has amazing healing properties. You can simply break open one of the leaves and take the gel directly from the plant if you have one at home, or you can purchase it from a drugstore and gently apply it to the chafed areas.
Cornstarch is a fine powder that, when applied to the skin, can soothe the skin and absorb moisture. Stay away from the “baby powders” that have a lot of added chemicals and fragrances and use simple products as much as possible to avoid further skin reactions.
Shea butter has anti-inflammatory and healing properties and is very nourishing for the skin. A quality moisturizer that contains shea butter works wonders in healing chafed skin and also keeps healthy skin from drying out when used daily.
Essential oils have powerful healing properties. Some have a stronger scent than others, so you can sniff each oil and decide which one appeals to you. Tea tree oil is great for healing many skin problems, but the smell may be too strong for some people. It can also be combined with lavender or calendula oil to reduce the strong smell, and the combination of these essential oils is remarkable.
Give one or more of these options a fair chance to provide some comfort and relief if you have a problem with chafing. If you find that your skin is not responding to these treatment options, you should see a dermatologist for help. He may prescribe a medicated cream to control the situation and prevent infection.
