You have been out all day, in a dress, hiking or jogging, and suddenly the skin between your thighs is burning? Then you have most likely got chafed thighs. It is unpleasant, but easy to get under control. Here you will find out what you can do right away, which home remedies really help, what you should avoid, when it is better to see a doctor and how to stop it from happening next time.
The key points at a glance
- Stop the friction immediately: take a break, change your clothes.
- Gently clean the area with lukewarm water and pat it dry.
- Apply a mild, fragrance-free wound and healing ointment from the pharmacy and let the skin breathe.
- If it does not improve after a few days, or if it weeps or festers: have it checked by a doctor.
- To stop it happening again: apply an anti-chafing stick such as SUMMERSAVER before you head out.
What is chafing?
Chafing is skin that has been rubbed sore. It is skin irritation that can develop wherever skin rubs against skin or clothing rubs against skin. In German it is known colloquially as „sich einen Wolf laufen“; the medical term is intertrigo.
The areas most often affected are the inner thighs, the groin, the skin under the breasts and the crease between the buttocks. Friction, sweat and warmth soften the top layer of skin until it turns red, burns and, in worse cases, breaks open. Typical situations:
- a long day in a summer dress, a skirt or short shorts
- walks, hikes, city strolls or festivals
- jogging, cycling or training
- heat and heavy sweating
By the way, it does not only affect people with fuller thighs. Slim women, athletes and men get chafed thighs regularly too.
Chafed thighs: what to do? First aid in 5 steps
1. Stop the friction immediately
The sooner you react, the faster your skin calms down. Take a break, change into wide, soft trousers or loose cycling shorts if you can, and avoid anything that keeps rubbing the area.
Still need to keep going? If your skin is red and burning but not broken, apply a layer of SUMMERSAVER. The protective film lets your thighs glide past each other again instead of rubbing further. Many of our customers do exactly that so it does not get worse. The stick should not be used on open, weeping or bleeding areas.
2. Clean gently
Wash the irritated skin with lukewarm water and, if needed, a little mild, fragrance-free body wash. This removes sweat and salt, which irritate the skin further. Do not scrub.
3. Pat dry, do not rub
Pat the area dry with a soft, clean towel. Alternatively, you can dry it with a hairdryer on the cold setting. Otherwise, moisture in the skin fold keeps the irritation going.
4. Protect and care
Apply a thin layer of a mild, fragrance-free wound and healing ointment. At the pharmacy you can get ointments with panthenol or zinc, for example, along with advice on which one suits your skin. Cover open areas with a sterile, non-adhesive dressing.
5. Give your skin air and time
Over the next few days, wear loose clothing made of soft, breathable fabrics. At night it helps to let the area get some air. Mild redness usually fades within a few days once the friction stops.
Chafing in the groin: what to watch out for
Chafing in the groin or crotch is particularly unpleasant. The skin there is thin, it stays warm and damp, and the leg openings of your underwear rub with every step. This affects women and men alike, for example after long hikes, on the bike or after a run. First aid is the same as above, plus a few extra points:
- Change your underwear: soft, breathable and without thick seams at the leg openings. Take off sweaty underwear straight after sport.
- Pat dry thoroughly, deep into the skin fold too. Moisture keeps the irritation going.
- No intimate sprays, scented lotions or fragranced wipes on the irritated skin.
- Apply an anti-chafing stick to the outside only: on the skin of the groin and inner thigh, not on mucous membranes and not on open areas.
- Watch out for fungal infections: fungi settle more easily in the warm, damp groin. If the area itches badly, has a sharp edge or does not go away, have it checked by a doctor.
For sport, SUMMERSAVER Sport with its fresh mint-bergamot scent is a good fit. It is made for women and men.
What helps fast? Home remedies checked
When it burns, you reach for whatever is in the bathroom. Not all of it is a good idea. Here is what helps with chafing and what you should keep away from.
| Remedy | What you should know | Our verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Cooling | Place a clean cloth dampened with cool water on the area for a few minutes. No ice directly on the skin. | Good against the burning at first |
| Wound and healing ointment | Mild and fragrance-free, for example with panthenol or zinc. Ask at the pharmacy for advice. | The best choice if the skin is already sore |
| Aloe vera gel | Only on red, unbroken skin. Choose fragrance-free and alcohol-free gels. | Pleasantly cooling, not for open areas |
| Vaseline or udder balm | Reduces friction for a short time. Greasy and can stain clothing. | A stopgap, not on weeping areas |
| Baby powder or cornstarch | Only on dry, intact skin as prevention. On damp skin the powder clumps. | Only for prevention and only on dry skin |
| Pure coconut oil | Cares for dry skin. Turns liquid in warmth and is impractical as protection on the go. | Fine for care, impractical against friction |
| Deodorant | Alcohol and fragrance sting on irritated skin. | Not on the sore area |
| Toothpaste, vinegar, alcohol, pure tea tree oil | Irritate the already stressed skin further. | Keep away |
What helps fastest: stop the friction, cool briefly, clean gently, pat dry and apply a mild wound and healing ointment. If you have to keep going and the skin is only red but unbroken, a layer of SUMMERSAVER protects it from further rubbing.
What you should avoid with chafed skin
- Alcohol, deodorant or scented lotions on the sore area. They sting and irritate the skin further.
- Powder on weeping areas. It can clump and rub even more.
- Carrying on without protection. Every step rubs the area open again.
- Scratching or pulling off flakes of skin.
- Applying an anti-chafing stick to open or weeping areas. If the skin is only red, you can use SUMMERSAVER to stop further friction. If it is open, let it heal first.
When should you see a doctor about chafing?
Chafing usually heals on its own. However, have the area checked by a doctor if
- it does not improve after a few days or spreads,
- the skin weeps heavily, festers, smells unpleasant or you develop a fever,
- a sharply defined, itchy redness with scales or small dots at the edge appears (this can indicate a fungal infection),
- you have diabetes or a weakened immune system,
- you keep getting sore in the same place even though you take precautions.
How to prevent chafed thighs
The good news: in most cases, chafing can be prevented. These three things make the biggest difference.
1. Apply an anti-chafing stick before you head out
An anti-chafing stick puts an invisible protective film on your skin so that your thighs glide past each other instead of rubbing. You apply it like a deodorant, directly onto clean, dry skin. That is exactly why founder Denise developed SUMMERSAVER, after chafing so badly on holiday that the beach and summer dresses were out of the question.
So it does not happen again
SUMMERSAVER Woman
- Invisible protective film against friction on thighs, bra line and feet
- With coconut and almond oil, delicate peach scent
- Dermatologically tested and vegan
- As seen on the German TV show „Die Höhle der Löwen“ (Dragons' Den)
Do you run, cycle or hike? Then SUMMERSAVER Sport, with its fresh mint-bergamot scent, is the better choice. It is made for women and men.
2. Choose the right clothing
For everyday wear, airy, soft fabrics feel comfortable. Under dresses and skirts, thin cycling shorts or a thigh band help. For sport, functional clothing with flat seams is better than cotton because it wicks sweat away faster and rubs less.
3. Reapply on long, hot days
If you sweat a lot or are out for a very long time, apply the stick again in between. That is easiest if you always have one with you. Our tip: With the SUMMERSAVER Woman set of 3 you have one stick in your handbag, one in your gym bag and one at home. Athletes go for the Sport set of 3.
Frequently asked questions about chafing
What helps fastest with chafed thighs?
Stop the friction immediately, calm the area briefly with a cool, damp cloth, clean it with lukewarm water, pat dry and apply a mild, fragrance-free wound and healing ointment. After that, your skin mainly needs air and rest. You can see which home remedies make sense in our home remedies check.
What should I do about chafing in the groin?
Proceed as for the thighs: stop the friction, clean gently, pat dry thoroughly and apply a mild ointment. Soft, breathable underwear without thick seams also helps. If the area itches badly or has a sharp edge, a fungal infection may be behind it. Then have it checked by a doctor.
How long does it take for chafed skin to heal?
Mild redness usually calms down within a few days if there is no new friction. If open or weeping areas have developed, it takes longer. If the skin does not improve, have it checked by a doctor.
Can I apply SUMMERSAVER if my skin is already irritated?
Yes, as long as the skin is not broken. If it is red and burning, the stick puts a protective film over it so that it stops rubbing. Many of our customers use it exactly this way so it does not get worse. Do not apply it to open, weeping or bleeding areas. Let them heal first and then protect your skin every time before you head out.
Does Vaseline help with chafing?
Vaseline can reduce friction in the short term, but it feels greasy and can leave stains on clothing. An anti-chafing stick is cleaner to apply and absorbs without leaving an oily film.
Can men get chafed thighs too?
Yes, very often, especially when running, cycling and hiking. SUMMERSAVER Sport was developed as a unisex version for exactly that.
Where else can chafing occur besides the thighs?
Anywhere skin rubs: in the groin, under the breasts, along the bra line, under the arms and on the feet. You can find out more about using it on different areas under Where to use SUMMERSAVER.
Read more
- Sore thighs in summer: causes, tips & quick help
- How to avoid chafing and sore spots during sport
- The story behind our SUMMERSAVER
This guide does not replace medical advice. If your symptoms are severe or persistent, please consult your doctor.
