How to beat CHAFING

[Jennasis]

I KNOW I am not the only one who suffers from awful inner thigh chafing after a long day of park touring...especially if my shorts get wet from a water ride. So I thought we could share tips for avoiding or alleviating the pain of chafing.

1. Desitin. Or as I call it...baby-butt cream. The stuff you use to treat diaper rash (which is essentially what chafing is). Apply liberally over areas that may become chafed.

2. Follow with a flurry of baby powder. I guarantee you will remain chafeless!

3. If you develop chafing and haven't been following steps 2 and 3 it isn't too late! Just buy some Desitin and slather it on.

4. If all else fails, wear bicycle short style lycra/cotton underwear (yes women too!). It will keep your thighs from rubbing.

PS...ALWAYS have a change of dry socks/underwear with you. Being uncomfortable is a sure fire way to ruin a vacation.

 

[oogieboogie]

I do step 1 & 2 for DH. This year I bought his some boxer briefs... we'll see if that helps him too.

I love diaper cream... I don't have babies anymore around the house and I still have 2 tubes of them.

 

[dizagain]

O.k. - I'm not sure we have tried Desitin. Isn't that the really thick white stuff that doesn't soak in? I can't see the 10-yr-old DD trying it, but I'll sure have some on hand now. It hasn't started up yet this season, but I'm waiting every day for her to come home in pain! The only thing I have ever been able to put on her legs that doesn't sting (including prespription creams) in cortisone, and I'm not sure it helps. Thanks for the tip!!

 

[TrinaLC]

What a coincidence, DH just came home with some stuff designed exactly for this, for marathoners. I can't find the exact product he got, but here are some others:

http://www.sportslick.com/whatisslick.htm

http://www.ultrafit-endurance.com/bodyglide.html

who knew?

 

[waughzee]

Zinc Oxide ointment works well too. It is basically the same thing as Desitin, but is probably cheaper.

 

[tink2]

DH had this problem 2 trips ago and took steps to prevent it this year. He chose to get the big bandaid bandages and put on the inside of his legs- where he has the most problem. This worked fine- but since men don't shave their legs, getting them off was an issue. I think I would have used desitin- but you know men, he wouldn't listen! I had to chuckle a little when he was tearing up trying to get them off!!! Men, will they ever learn to listen to us???

 

[hipporina]

Another thing that works is good ole vaseline. I have this problem when I run a lot and it works. It feels funny at first, but after a little while you don't notice it. And its less messy than Desitin.

 

[Soupermom]

to prevent this, I use St. Ives Collagen and Elastin lotion. I know it sound really weird, but when I was pregnant with first child, I developed a severe rash on my inner thighs. I tried EVERYTHING to get rid of it, but nothing worked. Finally one day in desperation, I used the lotion to try to soothe the pain, and it actually kept the rash from coming back. I now use it all the time, especially in the cold winter months or when I have new shorts/pants. Not sure why it works, but Collagen or Elastin must really be good for your skin! I always keep a small bottle with my travel bag now.

 

[NotUrsula]

Another thing that helps is spray antiperspirant, just like you use to prevent blisters on your feet. Chafing only happens where there is friction, and friction gets more intense if moisture is present.

If you don't want to ruin your clothing with diaper cream, the absolute key point is to keep that skin *DRY*. Take a spare set of shorts/underwear or swim trunks to wear on any wet ride; go change before going on the ride, then change back to your regular clothes before you leave the area. Bring a lightweight towel to dry off completely before changing. Don't put it off; even walking a few hundred yds. in wet clothing will get it started. Wearing a poncho on something like KRR won't be sufficient; the water WILL get to the backs of your thighs, and you'll be sorry. If the issue is sweat, change shorts and underwear when they get damp.

 

[cymplaya]

I use gold bond. Works like a champ.

 

[Micca]

Good tips, Thanks!

 

[Jordan's MOM]

Stick anit-perspirant works very well too. Just rub on inter thighs or anywhere else that tends to rub. . We also use it on feet and have never had a chaff or a blister.



Jordan's mom

 

[Kitster]

Two words.........Gold Bond. We don't travel without it. Travel size for short trips, full size for trips of 1 week or longer. Both of us use it and neither other of us have a problem while in FL.

 

[jimmalru80]

Another vote for Gold Bond. It works wonders for me.

 

[mamahauldren]

I understand the chaffing issue and so does my husband. He used GoldBond powder last year on inner thights and had an allergic reaction, swelling to lower area if you know what I mean. It was so bad we had to take him to the ER...Dr. said a lot of people are allergic to Gold Bond and unfortunately has to use it before they know. I recommend using it in a less sensative area prior to trip- Probably nothing will happen, however it would be terrible to throw a stumbling block in your WDW plans.

I can just pick up a bottle at the store and shake it at my husband and he turns a pale shade of white...

 

[saymama]

please don't laugh, this is a local product. It's Boudreaux Butt Paste. If anyone has used Dr Talbots cream, it's almost the same thing. This stuff is like a miracle sent from above. It's very thick though. Much thicker than desitin. But it works wonders. I've used it on my kids and it's awesome. My younger son has gotten chaffed from the elastic on his diapers before and this helps by the next changing. It's sold everywhere here, but here's a website.

http://www.buttpaste.com/

 

[lenshanem]

In the past we have used baby powder and have tried vaseline. I saw the stores now have baby powder in a roll on. I was planning on picking up some. It is in the baby care section and is small enough to fit into a fanny pack.

Although, the deodorant spray sounds like a good idea for the feet, too. I wonder if they have travel size bottles?

Last trip both DH and I were TORE UP! We were both walking like we had been riding a horse for weeks.

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

LOL - Here is another vote for Boudreaux's Butt Paste - that stuff works miracles!! I do not go on vacation with out it !!! Way better than Desitin!!

 

[beattyfamily]

I discovered Bodyglide, Blistershield and Avon Anti-blistering balm all here on the Dis and they all prevent chafing.

I have tried Bodyglide already and it works! It's not messy and doesn't stain clothes.

I also bought the other two but haven't tried them yet!

They are all good for blisters and chafing.

 

[Nickunited]

Boxers and some good ol powder does the trick for me! I've suffered in the past though! It can put a damper on your trip