According to WebMD, skin chaffing can appear anywhere on one’s body, but most commonly on the thighs, groin, and underarm areas due to repetitive friction. Overweight people and those who have a passion for exercise are afflicted the most, but luckily, there are ways to treat skin chafing naturally from the comfort of one’s own home.
The best part of finding a solution at home is the use of natural sources which are likely to cause less or no harmful effects. Moreover, home remedies generally includes ingredients that are easily available so that you do not have to go through the hustle of finding complex medicines that are hardly available. And as per skin problems it is very difficult to find things while going through irritations caused by skin.
Following are some easy remedies for you in case of skin chaffing:
COLD COMPRESS
The first thing most people do when they are suffering from a skin irritation is apply a cold compress to the affected area. A study that was conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology showed that skin issues, like itching and chafing, can be helped by applying a cold compress or a cloth filled with ice to the afflicted area. This method should be applied when the irritation first appears and continued until it subsides.
Talcum powder or cornstarch
Georgianna Donadio, Ph.D. says that cornstarch helps relieve skin irritations while keeping the affected area dry. She suggests sprinkling some cornstarch directly on the affected skin area or mixing it with some petroleum jelly to increase the lubrication factor.
In case petroleum jelly isn’t something you keep in your cabinets, you can use baby powder instead. According to Dr. Audrey Kunin, baby powder can prevent skin chafing since it lubricates the skin and doesn’t let friction create skin issues. The best way to apply it to your skin without creating a mess is by sprinkling it on a handkerchief and calmly applying it to the affected area.
Mixing water and plain oatmeal
A study that was conducted in 2012 showed that personal care products that contained oatmeal had very low irritant levels and were extremely unlikely to cause allergic reactions. The easiest way to relieve skin chafing and other dermatological issues is to mix 2 cups of ground oatmeal in a bathtub full of lukewarm water and to soak in it for about 20 minutes. Repeating this remedy once a day will help reduce and finally get rid of skin chafing.
Mix calendula oil with dried chamomile, green tea, and water.
A study that dates back to 2009 found that calendula oil has extremely anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties that can prevent and heal chafing due to it being rich in flavonoids. You can either apply a few drops of calendula oil directly on the affected area or boil it with dried chamomile, green tea, and some water; and add it to a bathtub filled with lukewarm water.
Aloe vera gel
A study has shown that the glycoprotein that aloe vera contains helps reduce pain and inflammation and also heals skin wounds. Moreover, it helps the skin grow new cells due to its properties having low toxicity levels. You can use it by either applying the gel directly from the plant or by buying pure aloe vera gel from any pharmacy.
OLIVE OIL
Olive oil is commonly used as an ingredient in many moisturizers to treat dry skin. This choice was made after many studies had strongly indicated its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties. That’s why it’s no shock that this miraculous natural ingredient can actually be beneficial for chafed skin since it promotes wound healing and repairs skin barriers.
TEA TREE OIL
There are various studies indicating the value of using tea tree oil for treating skin conditions, including acne. According to the official Australian Tea Tree Oil website, the product itself has rich antiseptic, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which can soothe and relieve chafing skin. The best way to use tea tree oil on irritated skin is by adding a few drops of it to a wet cotton ball and applying it on the affected area twice a day until the chafing disappears.
TURMERIC
In a study that was published in the book, The Molecular Targets and Therapeutic Uses of Curcumin in Health and Disease, turmeric was found to have rich antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and served as a good fighter against pathological conditions such as cancer and atherosclerosis. For chafing skin, it can be mixed with water until it creates a thick paste. Apply the paste to the affected skin area and let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing off.
Paste made of baking soda and water
According to Dr. Mercola, baking soda has strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that can help people with various health issues. For skin issues including chafing skin, a spoonful of baking soda and some water will create a paste which when applied directly to the affected area, will treat redness and irritation. For even higher detoxifying effects, you can add baking soda and apple cider to a bath and enjoy its healing abilities.
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