So what is chafing exactly? When your clothes repeatedly rub against your skin in summers your skin starts getting irritated and inflamed. Chafing can be a very painful experience. The more you sweat the worse it gets. The problem may get aggravated if you have excess fat as in this case the friction will be more. The most obvious places where chafing may occur are your thighs. You neck, underarms and groin are also susceptible to this problem. So if your skin is very sensitive or you are overweight then you are at a higher risk of getting this problem.
The symptoms of the following may include burning sensation, rashes, pain and irritation. In order to get the proper treatment, it is important to get into the root cause. Whether it is excessive sweating or your clothes. If it is excessive sweating, then you should ensure that you don’t sweat a lot and if it is your clothes then make sure to switch to fabrics which are apt for the season and don’t irritate your skin. Avoid wearing tight clothes as much as possible. You can also include foods rich in beta carotene in your diet as these might also come as a help. If it gets worse it may even lead to skin infections. It is better to get it treated as soon as possible. You can either see a doctor or you can try out the below-mentioned home remedies to treat it.
1. Tea tree oil- Tea tree oil has emerged out as one of the most potent home remedies to treat skin related problems. From acne to chafing, tea tree oil is the answer to all the skin problems. Tea tree oil has antimicrobial properties which make it the perfect remedy to treat skin chafing. For this remedy, all you need to do is take a damp cotton ball and pour 4-5 drops of tea tree oil on it and dab it gently onto the affected area. Make sure to never use tea tree oil without diluting it as it can cause damage to your skin instead of benefitting it.
2. Turmeric- Turmeric has been used since aged in the Indian household for treating various skin related issues. The reason behind it is that it contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which help in keeping the skin healthy and also helps it in healing. Combine turmeric powder with water to make a thick paste and apply this paste on the chaffed area. Let the paste dry and then wash it off with plain water. You can also use fresh turmeric for this remedy as well.
3. Baking Soda- Baking soda is also considered as one of the most amazing ingredients to treat skin related problems and chafing is no exception. For this remedy, you need to mix 3 tbsp. baking soda with enough water to make a paste. Apply this paste on the affected and leave it to dry. Once dry, wash it off with plain water.
4. Olive Oil- Chafing mainly occurs due to friction which is more common if you have dry skin. Massaging the chaffed area with olive oil will ensure that the friction is reduced plus the olive oil will also reduce the inflammation to a great extent.
5. Oatmeal- It is not only a great option for your breakfast but it also has skin healing properties which make it the perfect remedy for treating skin chafing. Simply add few handful of oatmeal to your bath water and soak yourself in it for at least 15 minutes. Do this regularly for fast results.
6. Aloe Vera Gel- Aloe vera gel also has anti-inflammatory properties thus it helps in reducing the redness and inflammation plus it also helps it in healing. For this remedy, you can either use fresh or store-bought aloe vera gel. In order to extract the fresh aloe vera gel, peel off the green covering from the aloe vera leaf to reveal the aloe vera gel. Collect this gel in a clean bowl and apply it on the affected area. Do this twice a day in order to get faster results.
7. Ice- Now this one is no actually a proper remedy for chafing but it can provide temporary relief from the pain and inflammation.
