Why Do I Get Chafing When I Run or Work Out?

If you have ever finished a long run and thought, 'Why does walking suddenly hurt?', you already know what chafing feels like.

It rarely starts dramatically. First there is a little rubbing. Then some heat. Then, somewhere along the way, that tiny irritation becomes the part of the workout you cannot stop thinking about.

Chafing is really a friction story

At its simplest, chafing happens when skin repeatedly rubs against skin, clothing or another surface. Running, cycling and other repetitive activities can make the same movement happen again and again.

Sweat can make the situation more uncomfortable because moisture changes how the skin and fabric move against each other. That is why a route or workout that felt fine last week can suddenly cause trouble when the weather is hotter or the session is longer.

Where does it usually happen?

Inner thighs are a common one. So are underarms, waistbands, groin areas, feet and other places where skin and clothing keep moving.

exact spot is different for everyone. The useful part is knowing your own friction zones.

The biggest mistake is waiting for the burn

If you know that your thighs chafe on long runs, prevention should happen before the run. Not after the first painful few kilometres.

Moisture-wicking clothes, a good fit and reducing repeated rubbing can all help. A glide product can also be used on areas that regularly chafe before activity.

And if your skin is already irritated, stop the friction and let it settle. Do not keep rubbing or aggressively scrubbing the area.

Where No Rub fits

No Rub Glide Cream was built for that exact moment before the session. Apply it to friction-prone areas before running, cycling, long walks or other repetitive movement.

The idea is not complicated. If friction is the problem, deal with the friction before it becomes a problem.

That is one of the things we mean when we say SkynFit is built around training moments. Some products belong after the workout. No Rub belongs before it.

A few questions people ask

Why do my thighs chafe when I run?

Repeated skin-on-skin or skin-on-fabric friction can irritate the skin. Sweat and moisture can make it worse.

How do I prevent chafing during a marathon?

Plan before the race. Protect known friction zones, wear suitable clothing and use a glide product before the activity if needed.

Does sweat make chafing worse?

Moisture can make friction more uncomfortable and can increase the chance of irritation.

Keep reading

Know your friction zones? Protect them before the session with No Rub Glide Cream.

Editorial source note: Cleveland Clinic: 8 Tips To Prevent Chafing; American Academy of Dermatology: How your workout can affect your skin.