How to Prevent Chafing Naturally in Six Ways

Updated on February 10th, 2020
chafing

Excessive sweating or moisture due to tight clothes may lead to chafing without us knowing. It may cause annoying itching and irritation on the skin resulting in chafing. In some of the severe cases, it can lead to high irritation and inflammation which may even cause pain and make it difficult for you to walk. Here is how to prevent chafing with natural remedies that work.

What is Chafing?

Chafing takes place due to the prolonged irritation and scratching of your skin due to irritating friction, moisture, and fiber which may lead to stinginess and burning. These skin rashes cause chafing.

Causes 

  • Rubbing of skin against skin
  • Friction with a wet cloth
  • Breastfeeding
  • Tight fitting clothes
  • Athletics
  • Obesity
  • Running and biking

Symptoms

  • Itchiness
  • Inflammation and redness
  • Stinging or burning
  • Swelling
  • Pain
  • Crusting of skin
  • In severe cases, bleeding

Prevent Chafing with Natural Remedies

CURE 1: Foods

Yogurt

Yogurt Benefits
Image:ShutterStock

Benefits of using yogurt: Yogurt has anti-inflammatory properties which help in alleviating the burning of the rashes. It is abundant in probiotics and aids in defeating yeast infections and other microbial infections. If you want to know how to prevent chafing,(1) read on to find out more.

How to use?

  • Make yogurt a vital part of your diet. It can be of the best help if you ingest it
  • You can also apply a thick layer of yogurt on the affected area of your body
  • Continue to do this on a daily basis

Foods to Eat

Foods to Avoid

Spinach Sugar products
Kale Dairy products
Carrots Chocolates
Tomatoes
Fast food and junk food
Broccoli Deep fried food
Cucumber Alcohol
Guava  

CURE 2: Herbal Remedies

Aloe Vera Gel

aloe vera gel for ingrown hair
Image: shutterstock

Benefits of using Aloe Vera Gel: Aloe Vera Gel has an abundance of healing properties. It helps in soothing the skin and alleviates the inflamed and irritated of your body with chafing. Aloe Vera Gel possesses antibacterial and antimicrobial properties which help in killing the bacteria which causes chafing prone skin areas. Read on to find out how to prevent chafing with Aloe Vera Gel.

How to use?

  • Take a spoon and scoop out fresh Aloe Vera gel.
  • Apply the gel on the affected areas of your body
  • Massage gently let it stay for as long as you can
  • Repeat the same five times a day

CURE 3: Essential Oils

Tea Tree Essential Oil

Benefits

Tea tree is an excellent essential oil for chafing. It is widely known to treat numerous skin conditions and improve the health of the skin. It has antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. It also helps in reducing the pain and tenderness of the skin surface due to rashes.

How to use?

  • Add a few drops of the essential oil to the carrier oil and mix well
  • Apply the blend of the oils on the affected areas and let it rest
  • After about fifteen minutes, wash off with clear water
  • Repeat the same two times a day

Frankincense Essential oil

Benefits

Frankincense essential oil has anti-inflammatory properties which helps in reducing the swelling, irritation, and itching of the skin. It also possesses antimicrobial and antibacterial properties which aid in combatting against the bacteria which causes chafing.

How to use?

  • Add a few drops of the essential oil to the carrier oil and mix well
  • Apply the blend of the oils on the affected areas and let it rest
  • After about fifteen minutes, wash off with clear water
  • Repeat the same two items a day

CURE 4: Home Remedies

Apple Cider Vinegar

Benefits

Apple cider vinegar is a powerful antibacterial agent and provides a cooling sensation on the affected areas of the body. It is composed of acetic acid and is a natural healer and disinfectant. Apple cider vinegar is one of the best anti-chafing remedies.

How to use?

  • Add one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in one cup of warm water
  • Take a clean piece of cloth and dip it in the solution
  • Use this cloth to wipe the affected areas of your body
  • Repeat the same two times a day

Coconut oil

coconut oil-min
Image: Shutterstock

Benefits

Coconut oil is one of the best home remedies and also the safest for chafing. The saturated fats in the coconut oil help in keeping the skin surface of the affected regions soft and moisturized and even its antiviral, antibacterial, and antimicrobial properties, protect the skin of the affected areas free from chafing.

How to use?

  • Wash the affected area with regular water
  • Dry completely
  • Apply coconut oil to the area
  • Massage gently on the affected area
  • Continue to do the same as many times as you can daily
  • You can also let it stay overnight

Baking Soda

Benefits

Baking soda neutralizes the acidic and basic nature and also balances and maintains the pH level of the skin. It helps in combatting microbes, bacteria, fungi, and viruses which are common causes of chafing skin.

How to use?

  • Add one tablespoon of baking soda in warm water
  • Mix well to form an unsaturated solution of baking soda in water
  • Use this solution to wash the skin of where it is affected with chafing
  • Allow it to dry on its own
  • Continue to do so once every day

Precaution:

Do not rub off the solution from the skin with a towel. Just pat dry. Make sure you moisturize after the same.

CURE 5: Natural Treatments

Epsom salt

Benefits

Epsom salt has powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties which help in healing the irritated and inflamed skin. It helps in killing the bacteria and fungi which are a significant cause of chafing skin.

How to use?

  • Add half a cup of Epsom salt to your daily water preferably a bathtub.
  • Make sure the water in the bath is warm
  • Allow yourself to stay soaked in the tub for about fifteen minutes
  • Continue to do the same three times a week

Precaution:

Check the temperature of the water with your elbow. Make sure the water is suitable for your body. The water has to be warm and not boiling for how to prevent chafing.

CURE 6: Supplements

Vitamin Supplements

Vitamins
Image:ShutterStock

Benefits

Vitamins are an excellent anti-chafing remedy. Individuals who are suffering from chafing should put them in their diet. These vitamins are rich in antioxidants and benefits the overall status of your health. Also, these vitamins help to boost the immunity of your body and prevents it from various infections and diseases. Vitamins are the way to go if you want to know how to prevent chafing.

How to use

If you want to know how to prevent chafing, here are a few tips to follow:

  • Follow a diet which contains all the essential nutrients your body needs
  • Use a deodorant so that you do not sweat a lot
  • Make sure that you always keep your skin moisturized especially on the areas which are prone to chafing
  • Wear clothes which allow your skin to breathe and do not cause a lot of friction with your skin especially while you are exercising
  • Do not keep yourself wearing wet clothes for a very long time. Change into dry and clean clothes as much as possible as it is one of the leading causes of chafing and the best way to prevent it is to keep dry
  • Always use a gentle detergent for washing your clothes and not a very harsh one
  • Wear loose-fitting clothes
  • Make sure to wash your hands after touching or getting in contact with chafing prone areas or with someone who has the same as these conditions can be contagiously spread

Bottom Line

Clothes for sure are an integral part of everyone’s life but wearing them for the sake of fashion and not caring about the comfort is stupidity. Bless yourself with stylish clothes but don’t forget about comfort. With these natural remedies, home remedies, precautions, and preventions, there is nothing that can stop you on how to prevent chafing. It is an easily curable condition. It can be managed with the above remedies naturally right at your home. Hope the article was of help.

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