How to Remedy Chafing in the Groin Area

Chafing is painful no matter where it occurs on the body, but the sensitive skin of the groin area is just about one of the worst places it could happen.

Chafing between the legs (inner thighs, groin) is caused by a mix of friction caused by repeated skin-on-skin rubbing and perspiration. Stubble may also exacerbate the irritation. 

But how to treat chafing in the groin area? The good news is there are options. But, first, let’s explore a little more about what chafing is and why it happens ‘down there.’

Skin Chafing Happens When the Skin Rubs Against Itself

You can experience chafing almost anywhere on the body, but there are some body areas where it’s more common than others. 

Chafing can be:

• Skin-to-skin contact: Usually occurs where there are skin folds, such as beneath the breasts or around the groin or the armpits, or where one body part comes into frequent contact with another part, like the inner thighs rubbing against each other when you walk.
• Material-on-skin rubbing: Chafing can also be caused by materials, like a starched stuff collar chafing your neck or a shoe chafing your heels. It can even be a thick seam chafing delicate skin.

Chafing Can Be Exacerbated by Any of the Following

While skin rubbing is the major cause of chafing, sweat definitely is its partner in crime. Sweat makes us sticky and creates ‘drag’ as the skin rubs, making 'friction burn' even worse.

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!)

But it’s not the only thing that exacerbates chafing. Watch out for:

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. 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. 

Is it Normal to Sweat ‘Down There’?

Now that we understand the role sweat plays in chafing, you may be asking yourself if it’s normal to sweat in your groin. Yes, it is. We all sweat wherever we have sweat glands, which include the vulva and inner thighs. Of course, we don’t all sweat the same amounts. Indeed there is no rule about how much sweating is ‘normal.’ 

Factors that impact how much you sweat include:

• How many sweat glands you have (the average person has 3 million, but it can range between 2 million and 4 million. The more glands, the more sweat).
• Gender
• Genetics
• Age
• Fitness level

And because we all sweat, we can all experience chafing. It’s also worth noting that a person of size and shape can experience thigh chafing. But if you are a larger person, you may have more skin-on-skin rubbing, and that can make chafing worse. Perhaps, for this reason, chafing is sometimes called ‘chub rub.’ But it is an experience that many people, from pro athletes to every shape and size, may have.

How to Treat Chafed Skin

If your skin is chafed, you’re probably in quite a bit of pain or discomfort, so it’s worth following these steps to allow the skin to heal as quickly as possible.

Step 1: Try to Restrict Movement

If you can rest up and minimize movement, that will reduce or eliminate the recurring friction which has caused the chafing. Now, we get it: this may not be possible. If you’re mid-hike or out-and-about, you have no choice but to keep moving. But once you get home, try to give yourself a rest and let the skin cool and relax, at least overnight.

Step 2: Into the Shower, You Go!

You’ll want to wash away sweat which can become a breeding ground for bacteria, which can cause skin infection. Make sure those wet and sweaty clothes go straight in the laundry hamper.

A cool shower will probably feel good right about now. Don’t go full blast on the water pressure, though. Let the water gently run over the area of chafed skin, and you should feel immediate relief. Choose an unscented, hypoallergenic shower gel (no harsh soaps) to clean the area, but stay away from loofahs, sponges, and scrubs. 

When you step out of the shower, don’t be tempted to rub yourself dry vigorously. Instead, gently pat the skin dry with a clean and soft towel. 

Step 3: Soothe Chafed Skin With Balms, Oils, and Creams

A cooling and moisturizing lotion or balm will both offer relief and help the skin start to heal. It will also form a protective 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

Generally, you can use whatever you have on hand, even a regular body lotion, but stay away from heavy scents and lotions with acids (AHAs, lactic acid, or fruit acids.)

You should reapply whatever product you choose a few times throughout the day while you’re healing. 

Note: The vulva is a sensitive area, so apply creams sparingly here and do not allow creams to enter the vagina unless they're designed for this area.

Step 4: Stay Hydrated

Chafing usually occurs when your body is hot and perspiring, so you may have lost a lot of water while chafing was occurring. Make sure to replenish that hydration by drinking lots of water. This will help your body cool, regulate its temperature and heal.

Step 5: Rethink What You Wear to Reduce Friction

After you have treated your skin, think about using clothing to form a physical barrier to protect yourself from further skin irritation. 

Here are some suggestions for chafing in different body parts:

• Thigh Savers, Leakproof Thigh Savers or leggings can protect the inner thighs from rubbing together
• Socks can prevent shoes from rubbing your feet (band-aids can help too!)
• Longer, fitted sleeves can protect the inner arms and armpits from chafing
• Changing into a wireless bra or a bra with wider straps (or a better-fitting bra) can minimize chafing around the bust area
• Changing out of any too-tight clothing for something that fits you better will always help

Step 6: Use Ice Packs on Chafed Skin

If your skin is really chafed, an ice pack can bring relief to irritated skin. Now’s a good time to marathon something good on Netflix and let an ice pack cool and reduce swelling. Note: You should never apply an ice pack directly to the skin. Instead, wrap it in a soft cloth and press that gently against the skin. 

Step 7: When to See a Doctor About Chafed Skin

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!

Going Forward: Prevent Chafing from Recurring or Worsening

Now that you’ve survived chafing, why not prevent it from happening again? Here are some tips.

Prevent Chafing of the Inner Thighs With Thigh Savers

You can prevent thigh chafing and groin chafing with a simple product. Anti-chafing underwear works by creating a physical barrier between your thighs. Usually, they’re light shorts that are form-fitting, and you can also look for styles (like our Thigh Savers or Leakproof Thigh Savers) that include moisture-wicking properties to help manage sweat. 

Explore Anti-Chafing Cream to Prevent Chafing

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 and help prevent chafing. Look for non-talc all-natural products with ingredients like kaolin or cornstarch to absorb moisture. 

Dress in Sweat-Wicking Leggings or Bottoms

Look for clothing that wicks moisture and sweat from the skin surfaces to prevent skin chafing. You’ll usually find most athletic or athleisure clothing has some degree of moisture-wicking these days.

However, if your clothes are too tight, those tight seams and bands (like waistbands or bra bands) can dig into the skin and cause irritation. So look for products with that perfect second-skin feeling.

Preventing chafing does require a little bit of forward-thinking, but it definitely pays off!

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.