How to stop thigh chafing when running – what to do?

If you want to go for a run, you put on shoes and sportswear. Outside, the weather is beautiful, you pleasantly slowly trot and run after that you come back and see…chafing on your thighs. This is a very irritating problem that affects many runners. Fortunately, there are easy ways you can easily eliminate this issue and enjoy pleasant running without chafing on your thighs. How to stop chafing when running? Read on, then try it out and choose the best way to deal with tight chafing. Running will be more pleasant. Check it out!

Tight chafing when running – why does it happen? 

It should be said right away that thigh chafing does not only affect people who weigh more or those who do not have a gap between thighs. Chafing also happens to people who are slim and athletic, all because of the material that can irritate the skin while running. Often such situations are caused by the seam in shorts or leggings. 

This is when one experiences burning, redness, and even skin peeling, which is unpleasantly painful and irritating. 

Symptoms of tight chafing – running 

Thigh abrasions are easy to recognize. On the inside of the thighs may appear: 

• redness, 
• burning, 
• pain,
• itching, 
• rash. 

How to stop chafing when running – the easiest way

Can’t deal with chafing on your thighs and don’t know what to do about it? The solution is simple. Invest in buying tight shorts. Fitted shorts will adhere to the body and will not come into direct contact, and the material will not move when you move. As a result, they will not cause redness, burning, or peeling of the skin. 

Many people may not feel comfortable in such a tight outfit. In this case, you can additionally put on another, looser pair of shorts. You can also choose another option, the 2-in-1 shorts – a combination of tight shorts, to which looser shorts are sewn. This way you will be able to feel free and comfortable while running.

What kind of shorts to choose? 

It is best to bet on professional clothing for athletes. Then you will be sure that the material is of the highest quality, and what’s more, it has flat seams that will not rub the thighs. Choose materials that breathe and wick away moisture to the outside. In addition, they should be stretchy and pleasant to the touch. 

Before you buy a sports outfit for yourself, check its composition, as well as the description, which will tell you exactly what properties they have. This is very important so that you feel comfortable and don’t have to buy another garment after a few workouts. 

Compression bands

If you’re not convinced about shorts, why not choose compression thigh bands, which also adhere to the skin and prevent chafing? This is a really cool alternative to shorts, which may not be comfortable for everyone. 

Which option you choose is up to you. Keep in mind your comfort and non-restriction of movement. 

Other thigh chafing protection 

“Tight shorts are not for me, what should I do in this case”

Tight shorts are not the only way to deal with chafing of the thighs while running. You can seal the sensitive areas with a patch. If you’ve been running for a while, you’re sure to know where your skin is most irritated after you’ve finished running. 

This way you will be able to dispense with tight shorts, which are not comfortable for everyone. That’s why it’s always a good idea to look for alternatives. 

How to stop chafing when running – other ways 

Vaseline 

This is an inexpensive but very effective remedy that will protect your thighs while running. In this case, the most important property of vaseline is that it lubricates the skin.  It’s more elastic and moisturized. Therefore, it is less prone to thigh abrasions. 

How does this happen? It’s very simple. Vaseline reduces friction between the thighs and makes them able to slide over each other without any damage. 

Worried that Vaseline might just “run-off” through sweat? Relax! Vaseline is wood-resistant, so sweat is sure to appear after an intense workout.

The best part, however, is that you don’t have to look for Vaseline in a specialized store or online. You can find it in the supermarket and any pharmacy! Effective, easy to apply, and available in a lot of places. What more to ask for? 

Cream/ointment for chafing 

Do you want to enjoy running without skin irritation? If so, bet on an abrasion cream/ointment. Creams just like Vaseline are sweat and water-resistant, in order to protect your skin from irritation. 

How to use it? Very simple. Just apply a large amount of the cream to the skin. This will keep it moisturized. The cream or ointment will also speed up the regeneration of the skin and has a soothing effect on pain.

You can use this type of product not only on abrasions on the thighs but also for other places, for example, armpits, neck, and feet.  

Baby powder 

You read right, for thigh chafing baby powder can help. The body powder makes chafing on the thighs happen much less often – the powder minimizes friction and absorbs moisture. In this way, you prevent chafing. 

Remember, however, to apply baby powder on dried skin. To apply it, use a cotton swab. 

Stay hydrated!

I’m sure you’ve heard this many times before. Anyway, if you’re a runner you definitely make sure to drink plenty of water. 

By staying hydrated you will be able to sweat freely. You probably know that sweat has a lot of salt in it. If it dries out, the salt will stay on your skin and thus you will start to feel a slight pain and your skin will become red. Therefore, it is good to sweat. This will protect your thighs from injury. 

Chafing when running – How to quickly treat thighs? 

You come back from a workout and see irritated thighs. Is it your first run, or did you just forget to lubricate your skin with Vaseline or another product? What can you do in such a situation? 

When you get back from your workout, go for a shower. Not cold, not hot, but a tepid shower. This temperature will ease the pain. In addition, gently clean the irritated area with soap. After getting out of the shower, wipe your body with a towel, but be careful of the reddened areas. Here slowly press the towel against the skin – don’t rub it – you don’t want to damage the skin even more, do you? 

Then lubricate the sore area with wound healing ointment. This way you will avoid infection and the development of inflammation. Until the abrasion heals, use soothing lotions. This will give you a soothing feeling in the sore and very often even burning areas. 

What to do before your next workout? Secure the wounds. Use a special patch or bandage that you wrap around your thigh. 

Despite taking care of your wounds, they don’t want to heal. If so, see a doctor. They will help you deal with the abrasions, tell you how to take care of them and what could be the reason that they are not healing. It is always a good idea to go to a specialist. 

Now you know how to cope when you see chafing on your thighs after a workout. You’ve also learned how to stop chafing when running. If you keep chafing your thighs, you will feel pain, and the redness can turn into a large wound with blood. If you want to avoid this use, for example, petroleum jelly, ointments, or creams will help you.