How to Prevent Chafing in the Groin Area

There are many products on the market that can be used to prevent chafing in the groin area. From specialty anti-chafing underwear to topical treatments like anti-chafe balms and creams, you have a lot of choices.

In this article, we’ll run down some of the most popular products for preventing chafing in the groin area. But, first, we’ll spend some time better understanding what chafing is and why it often occurs in the groin area and inner thighs.

What Is Thigh Chafing or Groin Chafing?

It is called many things: chub rub, thigh chafing, sweat rash, groin rash, etc. But no matter what you call it, chafing of the groin and inner thighs is a painful experience. But what is it, and why does it happen?

Groin and inner thigh chafing occur when delicate skin between the thighs or around the skin folds of the groin rub together, or when other materials repeatedly rub across the skin. These repeated movements can cause the skin surface to become irritated.

Chafing is a common skin irritation caused by something repeatedly rubbing against the skin. This rubbing can be:

• Skin to skin contact: This occurs when skin repeatedly rubs against other skin, like when the inner thighs rub against each other when you walk or run. Anywhere the skin comes in close contact or where there are natural folds in the skin, you can experience skin-on-skin contact and, therefore, chafing.
• Material-on-skin: Chafing can also occur when fabric or other materials rub against the skin repeatedly. This could be an awkwardly placed seam, a too-tight waistband or underwire, or even the stiff leather of a new pair of shoes.

It could be as simple as a dog walk on a hot summer day or as hardcore as competitive running. The repeated rubbing starts to create heat between the skin, which quickly turns to irritation and can even lead to small tears and considerable pain.

But while chafing is caused by repeated rubbing, other things come into play too. These include:

1. Stubble 

Chafing sometimes occurs on areas of the body where you have removed hair, like the armpits, bikini line, or inner thighs. The regrowth of hair (aka stubble) can be coarse, and when that stubble is part of the equation when the skin rubs, it can add to the friction of skin-on-skin chafing.

2. Heat or Humid Weather

When temperatures soar, we all tend to shed some layers of clothing. This might mean that delicate skin that is usually encapsulated in clothes is suddenly exposed. For example, you might wear tights and leggings or jeans all winter, and then suddenly, when the mercury climbs, you shed those layers and opt for floaty dresses or skirts. This means your inner thighs are more likely to chafe when it’s hot out.

3. Sweat or Excess Moisture

Obviously, when the temperature climbs, we all perspire more, and that sticky dampness of the skin or wet clothing can cause ‘drag’ as the skin moves, which results in that friction. But the problem of sweat goes beyond dampness alone. 

Sweat also contains salt, and that salt will further irritate skin that is already getting hot and red. Salt crystals can also cause small micro-tears in the skin. And it’s often the salt in your sweat that will cause that burning sensation (you know what they say about rubbing salt in wounds!)

4. Any Pre-Existing Skin Irritations

If you have sensitive skin, you can react to many things, from ingredients in certain products to the sun. Or you may have dry skin that is itchy, flaky, or cracked and broken skin. Any of these pre-existing irritations can make painful chafing all the more painful. 

Nipple Chafing, Armpit Chafing & More: It Can Happen in Other Body Parts Too!

Chafing can happen almost anywhere on the body, but it will always impact sensitive skin more. Some common areas skin chafing occurs:

• The heels and toes (chafed skin is often caused by stiff shoes that haven’t been broken in)
• Inner thighs (caused by the friction of thighs rubbing together and often exacerbated by groin sweat or stubble from bikini hair removal)
• Beneath the boobs (often caused by too-tight or too-loose underwire bras that rub against the rib cage. Can also be exacerbated by boob sweat)
• Nipple-chafing (often happens to male athletes who may experience chafing when the fabric of their vest rubs against the nipples. Nipple chafing is less common in women as sports bras are usually worn)
• Inner arm or armpit chafing (another area where the skin is delicate and friction can easily happen between the folds of the skin)

How to Prevent Chafed Skin on the Inner Thigh & Groin Areas

The good news is there are many products that minimize skin rubbing and prevent chafing. So, next time the sun comes out and you swap your jeans for a flowy dress, turn to the following products to prevent skin chafing:

Help Protect the Inner Thighs With Thigh Savers

A simple product can prevent thigh and groin chafing. Our Thigh Savers work by creating a physical barrier between your thighs. They’re light, form-fitting shorts, and you can also look for styles (like our Leakproof Thigh Savers and Leakproof High Rise Shaper Short) that absorb moisture, especially in the groin area. 

Prevent Chafing with Anti-Chafing Cream

There are many anti-chafing products that help prevent friction and combat (and treat) skin chafing. These products are designed to create a barrier that sits on top of the skin and helps the skin “glide” past other skin. If you don’t have these products handy, you can even try good old petroleum jelly (aka Vaseline) to create a skin barrier (yes, petroleum jelly is good for both treating chafing and preventing it!)

Minimize Excess Moisture and Sweat With (Non-Talc) Powders

We now know all about the sweat-chafing connection, so it’s also good to think about products that will minimize and absorb sweat, like moisture-absorbing powders. Look for non-talc all-natural products with ingredients like kaolin or cornstarch to absorb moisture. Other ingredients, like aloe and lavender, can cool, soothe and have antibacterial properties.

Try Antiperspirants or Deodorants

Antiperspirants work by temporarily plugging your sweat glands, so they are very effective at preventing sweat. Many of us use antiperspirants for underarm sweat (though people increasingly switch to natural deodorants for various health reasons connected with aluminum — the chief ingredient used to plug those glands). 

But whether you are for or against them, antiperspirants can offer an effective solution to sweat. And you can use antiperspirant on other body parts too. That said, the skin around your groin and inner thighs may be more sensitive. You should also avoid putting product around your vulva, where it may cause irritation and even infection.

Dress in Seamless Clothing

Clothes that fit the body snugly (like leggings and other athleisure options) with minimal seams don’t tend to move a lot, so this means there’s less friction of them rubbing against your skin. Our LeakStrong Leakproof Leggings absorb moisture like groin sweat, and can be good for heavy period days and even light bladder leaks!  And because they fit snugly, they also mean your skin is encapsulated, so there’s less skin-on-skin friction.

When It’s Too Late: How to Treat Chafing

Sometimes, thigh chafing sneaks up on you. Perhaps you didn’t realize how hot the day would be, or it’s early in the summer, and you forgot about this pesky irritation altogether! Whatever the reason chafing occurs, take the following steps to treat chafing.

1. Clean the Affected Skin

Sweaty, torn skin can become a breeding ground for bacteria, which could turn that inflammation into a skin infection—you definitely don’t want that! So get out of those sweaty, wet clothes and hop in the shower.

We recommend lukewarm or cold water. Not only will it feel good against the hot skin, it will also start to calm the irritation and redness.

Clean the chafed skin gently with some hypoallergenic, scent-free shower gel applied gently with the hands (no loofahs or sponges as they will cause further friction and abrasion). Rinse well.

2. Gently Pat the Skin Dry

This is not the time for an invigorating towel dry. Instead, pat the chafed skin dry gently. Remember: friction from repeated rubbing got you here in the first place, so you need to avoid anything that creates additional friction, or it will further exasperate and irritate your already sensitive skin.

3. Apply Aloe Vera, Petroleum Jelly, or Another Healing Lotion to the Chafed Skin

A cooling and moisturizing lotion or balm will both offer relief and help the skin start to heal. It will also form a barrier to protect the skin from further irritation. You can choose a number of different products, such as:

• Aloe vera gel (aloe vera is known for its cooling properties, especially when used on sunburn)
• Argan oil (nutrient-rich and has anti-inflammatory properties)
• Coconut oil (coconut oil reduces inflammation and helps heal wounds)
• Shea butter (contains vitamins A, E, and F, antioxidant vitamins that promote circulation and healthy skin cell growth)
• Diaper rash cream (serves as a barrier cream)
• Petroleum jelly, aka Vaseline (petroleum jelly keeps the skin slick to prevent further rubbing)
• Medicated ointment

You’ll want to reapply your chosen product repeatedly while the skin is healing and to prevent further movement from making chafing worse.

Note: While you can use a basic body lotion if you have nothing else on hand, it is best to stay away from products that are highly fragranced, as they may cause further irritation. Similarly, avoid products with acids, like AHAs, fruit acids, or lactic acid, as they may burn the raw skin.

4. If it’s Really Bad: Ice Packs and Painkiller

If your skin chafing is particularly painful, you might want to pop an anti-inflammatory (aspirin) or another painkiller. As always, follow medical advice when taking any medication. You can also try applying an ice pack to the chafed area to help cool the skin and reduce inflammation.

Chafed skin can be exceptionally painful, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to rush to the doctor. Indeed, skin chafing does not usually require a visit to the doctor. If you’re still experiencing pain or irritation days later, or you experience any of the following, it might be worth a trip to the doctor:

• A wound opens up around the chafed area and doesn’t scab over in a few days (assuming it’s not further exacerbated)
• You notice blood or pus coming from a chafing wound
• The skin is very hot or swollen
• Redness spreads beyond the point of chafing

But generally, a little bit of rest and TLC, and you should be back to normal in a few days.

FAQs

How do you stop groin chafing?

To stop groin chafing, apply a lubricating product like petroleum jelly or an anti-chafing balm to the affected area to reduce friction and protect the skin. Try products like our Thigh Savers to minimize skin-on-skin contact in the groin area.

Use powders like cornstarch or talc-free powders to absorb excess moisture and further reduce friction. If the chafing is severe, see a doctor, as they may prescribe a topical antibiotic or corticosteroid to help the skin heal.

Why does groin chafing happen? 

The sensitive skin in the groin area is prone to irritation when it repeatedly rubs against itself or against clothing, especially when sweat is present. The friction and moisture can disrupt the skin barrier, leading to redness, irritation, and pain. Factors that can exacerbate groin chafing include body hair, tight-fitting clothing, and prolonged physical activity.

How do I stop my private area from chafing?

Apply a lubricating product like petroleum jelly or an anti-chafing balm to the affected area to reduce friction and protect the skin. Try products like our Thigh Savers to minimize skin-on-skin contact in the groin and genital area.

Use powders like cornstarch or talc-free powders to absorb excess moisture and further reduce friction. Keep the area clean and dry - take a bath or use a clean damp cloth to cleanse the area after sweating or activity.

Can I use Vaseline for groin chafing?

Yes, you can use vaseline to help prevent and treat groin chafing. 

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We hope you found this post informative — but remember: we’re not doctors and this post is not medical advice! While all posts are fact-checked and well researched, we always recommend you chat with your doctor about any questions or concerns you might have regarding a medical condition. 

We’re here to support and educate, but never with the aim of disregarding professional medical advice you’ve been given. Phew, now that that’s out of the way, you can go on living unapologetically free.