Chafing

Chafing is soreness and irritation of the skin, caused by friction. It can be the friction of your clothing on your skin, or the friction of body parts rubbing together. 

Chafing is seen on inner thighs, armpits, nipples, and the groin. Chafing means that through some type of friction some layers of your skin have literally been rubbed off. 

This can create a breeding ground for infection, and should be taken care of promptly.

Though anyone can experience skin chafing, it is seen most often in obese individuals, people who have hard, physical jobs causing them to sweat, and athletes.

Of course the best choice is to avoid causes of chafing all together by wearing well fitted clothing and diet if you are overweight.

Home Remedies for Chafing:

Stay Dry:

Try to avoid sweating and friction between your body parts and clothing. To accomplish this, try to stay dry, wear breathable, absorbent clothing made of natural fibers like cotton. 

Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Shower often with antibacterial soaps; dry thoroughly, use talcum powder, medicated powder, or corn starch to stay dry. 

Use petroleum free, non staining lubrication to prevent friction while you are running, jogging, exercising, or playing sports.

Diaper Rash Ointment:

Applying diaper rash ointment, bought over the counter can soothe and heal chaffing, and provide a barrier from wetness and infection.

Tepid Baths:

Tepid baths with colloidal oatmeal is a great home remedy for chafed skin.  Just be sure to dry thoroughly, even if you must use a hand hair dryer set on cool heat. Chafing of the skin thrives on moisture.

After cleaning and drying, applying unscented antiperspirant to the chafe prone area can prevent chafing from occurring.

Vitamins:

People suffering from, or prone to chafing, should add extra foods or supplements of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, zinc, and magnesium.

Antibacterial Soap:

Chafed skin can become infected, so treat it as you would any open wound. 

Wash with antibacterial soap and lukewarm water, dry well, and put antibacterial ointment or antiseptic spray on the affected area, and cover with a band aid, or sterile gauze.

Shark Or Cod Liver Oil:

Shark or cod liver oil can promote healing of skin chafing.

Tea:

Tea made from thyme, garlic, calendula, lavender, southerwood, chamomile, bay, myrtle, horseradish, lemon and water, or sage and used as a cold wash, will heal raw, chafed skin. 

Sourfig, or bulbinella applied directly will heal chafed skin. 

Applying tea tree oil to the affected area promotes healing by preventing infection, and forming a barrier against moisture.