7 Best Ways to Prevent Thigh Chafing During the Hot Summer Months, According to an Expert

Ahh summer. It’s the season for shorts, skirts,skorts(thank you Gen Z) and unfortunately…thigh chafing. While rocking your favoritedaisy dukes(ormaxi dress) will have you strutting like Jessica Simpson in 2006, that icky burning sensation will always bring you back to reality. Luckily, Dr. Brooke Jackson, board-certified dermatologist and owner ofSkin Wellness Dermatology Associatesin Durham, North Carolina, is giving us tips for treatment, prevention and more.

“If you notice your chafing is due to a certain cloth that is an irritant, stop wearing it,” advises Dr. Jackson. “For example, some of my teenage patients want to wear these super skinny leggings. Don’t wear the jean fabric, wear the cotton. It’s a lot softer and gentler on your skin.”

If you don’t want to get rid of the short shorts, Dr. Jackson says Vaseline is the way to go. “I call it the wonder jelly because not only is it affordable, but it is the runner’s best friend. You can put just a little bit of Vaseline on the inside of both thighs and that will decrease the friction.” Oh, and unfortunately, regular lotion doesn’t do the trick because it’s so easily absorbed into the skin.

Much likeunder boob sweat、大腿摩擦的方法可以预防moisture in the area. A talc-free powder likeMegaBabe’s Bust DustorBurt’s Bees Baby Dusting Powderwill keep your inner thighs nice and dry.

Powders can easily get messy, so if you’re not one for all the extra clean up that comes with applying an anti-chafe powder, try an anti-chafe balm. Gold Bond’sFriction Dense Stickhas over 1,000 five-star reviews on Amazon and Dr. Jackson recommendsBody Glide for Her, which you can easily apply before a run.

If you’re going to be wearing any skirts or dresses, you can also opt of thigh bands. These nifty under garments will provide a barrier between your thighs, combating friction. Theselacy bands从Bandelettes看起来更像比男孩年代吊袜带horts, and come in a variety of colors.

Anti-chafing bands not quite getting the job done and you need an option that gives you a bit more coverage? Go for slip shorts. ThisEasylite Smoothing Slip Shortfrom Bare Necessities doubles as a thigh shaper and it’s made with moisture wicking fabric. Win-win.

Check out the comprehensive listhere. From biker shorts to running shorts to shorts for any high-impact activity (or just a lazy day of running errands) these picks will let you live your best life chafe-free.

So you forgot to take precautions and now your inner thighs are all bumpy and irritated. Don’t sweat it. First, Dr. Jackson recommends you take note of what made you react in the first place so you don’t find yourself in the same situation. Second, perWebMD, be sure to carefully clean the area with water and dry it thoroughly. And if you're an athlete, it's important to give the area adequate time to heal before you go for another intense sweat session.

If you’ve tried everything and don’t see any improvement, it’s time to see your doctor. “Sometimes the irritation is exacerbated, and you need prescription medication to calm it down,” Jackson says. “Depending on what else is going on [in your body] there is potential for infection. Let’s say you’re diabetic. You’re already prone to infection and if your skin is chafing, you might end up with a [bigger issue] because the skin—which is your barrier—is not intact.”

For most people though, thigh chafing is just an annoying by-product of the hot summer months and nothing to stress over. Just try one of the prevention methods above and you can sip yourtequila cocktailby the pool ortake a hikewithout worrying about it.