Men's Chafing

Men's Chafing

When you move or exercise, certain parts of your body rub against each other or your clothing. Areas like your chest & nipples, underarms, thighs, buttocks, and feet are all prone to friction, couple this friction with a hot or humid environment or moisture from sweat and these areas will wear down over time causing chafing.

Follow our in-depth guide below to learn what causes chafing, how to prevent and treat the most common forms of chafing in men, and why Body Glide is the perfect solution for any man’s chafing needs. Body Glide Balms create an invisible, hypoallergenic barrier derived from plant waxes attaches to the skin surface, allowing it to stay where needed.  The balm repels water and moisture, as it lets skin breathe and sweat escape. Our reputation is founded on dry, dependable, technologically enhanced skincare protection balms that help prevent rash, chafing, blisters, and raw skin caused by rubbing and friction.

Nipple Chafing

Guys might be surprised to know that it’s not just women who deal with nipple pain. Nipple chafing is common among elite marathoners, body-builders, avid joggers and even surfers and body-boarders who fail to wear their rash guards.

Chafing of the skin is defined as “red, sore skin caused by friction and moisture”.Technically known as a fissure of the nipple, nipple chafing is caused by irritation of one or both nipples due to pressure or friction usually from clothing.

Made up of three distinct layers, the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis, your skin is your body’s largest organ, protecting your body from the elements. Even though it’s relatively strong, it’s also delicate and more susceptible to trauma through moisture or repetitive motion. As your skin is overworked these layers will shed and eventually breakdown, the layer of skin surrounding your nipple is especially thin, making it even more susceptible to chafing and irritation. Sweating only makes things worse as it adds moisture and salt to the equation which increases friction between your nipples and clothing.

You might be more concerned with what it feels like over what it looks like. For one, nipple chafing is painful! But regardless, whether you’re training for a marathon or just getting in some extra cardio at the gym, you might experience chafing that ranges from a slight sunburn feeling to full-on skin breakage and bleeding. You may also experience:

Sore, tender, & red skin.

Pain ranging from discomfort to intense stinging pain.

Cracked or bleeding skin.

Scabbing or a chapped dry texture around the nipple

Always use protection!

A simple solution to avoid nipple chafing is to cover them with band-aids or tape before heading out. One drawback however is that depending on the intensity of your workout and how much you sweat the adhesive will come off and leave you unprotected during your workout.

Use Body Glide®balms.

ApplyingBody Glide® blamsbefore working out adds an invisible layer of protection that stays where you put it. Apply to those hot-spot areas around your chest and nipples to allow your clothing to easily glide over your skin reducing friction and eliminating chafing.

Stay dry.

Wetness and chafing go hand in hand, so slap on some talcum powder or baby powder to absorb moisture while you move or exercise.

If you are reading our guide a little too late, it may be time to treat and heal your nipple chafing, here’s what we recommend:

Nipple Chafing Treatment

Gently scrub your chafed skin to cleanse and remove any debris from the affected area.

Avoid harsh soaps or chemicals that might aggravate the affected area.

Using an antibiotic ointment as well as a band-aid to cover the chafed area to prevent further irritation.

Mild cases of nipple chafing should clear up within a few days but if you see no improvement or the area seems to be infected consult a medical professional.

Underarm Chafing

One of the most common areas for chafing, underarm or armpit chafing is caused by a combination of friction, dry skin and sweat. This type of chafing is caused by irritation of the sensitive skin between your arms and your torso.

Underarm chafing is common among athletes, overweight individuals, those who work in hot and humid environments, and anyone who does repetitive or strenuous motions for extended periods of time (warehouse & construction workers, chefs, firefighters, etc…). Shaving your underarms is also a potential cause for chafing, as your hair slowly grows back it is coarse in the early stages which can cause irritation.

Chafing is a friction-induced skin injury where layers of the skin are rubbed off leaving it red, raw and irritated. Underarm chafing occurs due to the constant and repetitive motion of arms moving against the torso, as well as the moisture and sweat that tends to build up in this area. This combination of friction, moisture and clothing can cause the skin under your arms and in your armpit to become irritated, chafed and sore.

Underarm chafing can range from irritated, dried skin to full on blistering and rash like symptoms.You may also experience:

Sore, tender, & red skin.

Pain ranging from discomfort to intense stinging pain.

Scabbing or a chapped dry texture between your underarms and torso.

Keep underarm chafing at bay by applying a moisture-rich barrier between you and your skin or clothing. Body Glide®balms are specially formulated to allow your skin to move freely overitself or your clothing, reducing friction and eliminating chafing. Wearing the right clothing also helps. Opt for moisture wicking workout gear or undergarments that draw sweat away from your body and allowing it to evaporate without leaving salty residue on your skin. Keep your skin clean and moisturized. Proper cleaning habits can keep your skin free of debris and healthy.

If you are reading our guide a little too late, it may be time to treat and heal your underarm chafing, here’s what we recommend:

Underarm Chafing Treatment

Gently scrub your chafed skin to cleanse and remove any debris from the affected area.

Avoid harsh soaps or chemicals that might aggravate the affected area.

Use a moisture rich ointment over the affected area.

Allow the area to breathe and wear clothing that will not irritate or rub against the affected area.

Mild cases of underarm chafing should clear up within a few days but due to the potential of yeast and bacteria buildup in this area see a doctor or medical professional if your symptoms worsen or if you see no improvement to the affected area.

Groin Chafing

Along with areas like your nipples and underarms, groin chafing is caused by a combination of friction and moisture.  This type of chafing is caused by irritation of the very sensitive skin between your groin and thighs. Groin chafing is common among runners, surfers, bikers, overweight individuals, those who work in hot and humid environments, as well as many sports enthusiasts.

However, while the most common cause for groin chafing is due to repetitive motions like running or exercise, irritation can develop in this area due to other conditions not related to exercise. Skin with a crusty border may indicate a fungus infection also known as jock-itch. A bacterial infection known as folliculitis may develop in some individuals that is also often mistaken for chafing. As a general rule if the skin irritation is persistent, recurring, or if you notice drainage or persistent itching coming from the affected area, seek help from a medical professional right away.

Due to the sensitive skin in this area groin chafing can occur for a myriad of reasons:

A build-up of sweat after exercise.

Sand in your swimming gear.

Excess rubbing to the area such as through exercise or sex.

Soaps, shower gels, & shampoos.

Disinfectants, antiseptics, and ointments.

New underwearLaundry detergent.

STD.

Jock-itch.

Groin chafing from exercise presents itself in mild cases as red skin abrasions in areas where the skin has been repeatedly worn down to excessive friction and moisture. It may be most noticeable in the creases between your inner thigh and groin, as well as along the scrotum and penis.

Preparation is the most important way to prevent groin chafing.

Underwear

Wear underwear that allows air to circulate around the groin. Avoid natural fabrics like cotton that tend to hold moisture for long periods of time. Instead, choose a more modern synthetic material that will draw moisture away from areas that are prone to sweat.

Lubricate

Keeping your chafe-prone areas lubricated will help reduce friction and irritation. Body Glide®products are recommended the world over. Goes on clear, its non-greasy anti-friction formula provides a breathable barrier on the skin protecting it from irritation and friction.

Don’t shave.

This may sound an odd solution, but hair can act as a natural barrier between skin, wick moisture and help air to circulate. If you shave your body hair, then this could be a factor in the cause of your chafing.

If you are reading our guide a little too late, it may be time to treat and heal your groin chafing, here’s what we recommend.

Ease some of the irritation by using a cold compress or ice pack on the affected area.

Gently scrub your chafed skin to cleanse and remove any debris or sweat from the affected area.

Avoid harsh soaps or chemicals that might aggravate the affected area.

Use a moisture rich ointment over the affected areaAllow the area to breathe and wear clothing that will not irritate or rub against the affected area.

Mild cases of groin chafing should clear up within a few days but due to the potential of yeast and bacteria buildup in this area see a doctor or medical professional if your symptoms worsen or if you see no improvement to the affected area.

*Chafing of the groin can also be mistaken for other types of skin irritations like jock-itch, or STDs that may require antibiotics or medicine. Consult a medical or sexual health professional if your irritation begins to worsen or become more painful.

Bottom Chafing

The easiest way to think about bottom chafing is that it is similar to a rash, like diaper rash that many babies experience. It is a redness of the skin that forms because of constant friction back and forth between two spaces. In this case, it happens to be the space between your bottom cheeks or along the bottom portion of your butt where it meets your upper leg or thigh.

Often referred to as monkey butt or saddle sores, bottom chafing occurs most often in bicycle riders. It can also affect anyone in hot or humid environments during work or exercise activities, as well as those who are overweight.

Bottom chafing often looks and feels like a bad case of sunburn or in more extreme cases road rash. Depending on how deep the wound is, bottom chafing may turn into sores or even scab from the cracked and broken skin on your buttocks.

Lubricate

Preventing friction from occurring is the first step in preventing bottom chafing. Athletes and weekend warriors around the world turn to Body Glide®balms to prevent a gnarly case of monkey butt from flaring up after a long bike ride or hike. Cycle Glide® balm works great for bikers looking to avoid saddle sores, while Body Glide®s original product is perfect to use in any situation where chafing might be a problem. Simply rub some on in your problem areas and go! Its that easy to prevent chafing when you use Body Glide®balms.

Cotton is rotten

Find underwear made of synthetic materials that help keep moisture away from sensitive areas that not only cause butt chafe but can make a bad case of butt chafe worse. A synthetic material that wicks moisture away from hot spots and problem areas makes it easier to stay dry and thus reduces redness and irritation in the buttocks.

Size does matter

A pair of underwear that is too small will dig into your butt crack and thighs and not allow air to flow through. Too baggy of underwear will bunch up in areas as well as ride up your backside giving you a wedgie and a bad case of monkey butt after. Make sure your underwear is comfortable and right in that Goldilocks zone between too tight and too loose. You want it to be just right.

Prevention is the best cure but if you made it this far you may need to treat that case of bottom chafing so you can get back out on the trails or in the saddle.

Butt Chafing Treatment

To allow your body to completely heal, take a break from the activity that caused the chafing in the first place. (Bikers may also consider adjusting or altering their riding style or type of saddle they use. Poor seating position or an improperly sized saddle are major culprits in butt chafing.)

Try easing some of the inflammation and pain by using a cold compress or ice pack on the affected area.

If you have broken skin or sores apply antibiotic ointments to the affected areas.

Allow the affected area to “breathe” by avoiding clothing that is tight or constricting.

Feet Chafing and Blisters

A blister is a small pocket of fluid that forms on your feet either due to excessive walking, exercise or improperly fitting shoes.

Blisters, just like chafing occur due to two factors: friction and moisture. In areas known as hot spots, sections of your foot that constantly rub against your shoe or another area of skin, friction and moisture from your sweat build up then team up to slowly traumatize your skin. The constant pressure and irritation is what forms this blister or chafing on your foot.

Lubricate

Using a lubricating substance on your foot like Foot Glide®balm will help prevent hot spots from occurring keeping you blister and pain-free all day. Just one application of this balm is all it takes to keep blisters and chafing on your feet at bay. For those that compete in long events like marathons or triathlons, Foot Glide®balm prevents hot-spots that normally would have to be wrapped with a blister bandage, keeping you on your feet longer and pain-free.

Right Gear

Socks that are seam free and wick away moisture are your best friend if you have issues with foot blisters or chafing.Properly sized and fitted shoes ar

e your best friend and make your running life immensely easier. Improperly sized shoes are the number one contributor to hot spots and by extension- blisters and chafing.

If you are looking to heal your foot blisters you are in the right place.

Foot Blister Treatment

Clean the area with mild soap and water and allow it to dry.

Cover the blister with a bandage.

You may want to make a donut area around the blister to protect it further, cutting strips of a product like moleskin makes it easy to protect it.

Check your footwear and switch to shoes or sandals that won’t rub against the blister area.

Use this as a chance to avoid getting a blister in the future. Analyze what you did (or didn’t do) that led to getting the blister then seek out proper attire and equipment to prevent it from happening again.

In severe cases, a blister may be quite painful and could even prohibit you from wearing any shoes at all. If you feel the need to drain the blister, consider contacting a health professional. If you are unable to and feel you really need to drain it (which should be your last resort!) here’s how to do it safely.

Wash your hands and the blister with warm water and soap.

Swab the blister and area with an antiseptic like iodine or rubbing alcohol.

Sterilize a clean and sharp needle by wiping it with an antiseptic.

Gently puncture the blister in a few spots near the blister edge. Let the fluid drain (applying very gentle pressure if necessary) and do not remove the overlying skin.

Immediately apply an antibiotic ointment to the area and cover with a bandage or gauze.

Consider avoiding the activity that caused the blister in the first place – in order to allow it to heal properly.

After several days, you can cut away the dead skin using sterilized scissors and tweezers.

Apply more ointment and a bandage or gauze.

Seek medical advice immediately if you notice redness, pus, warm or inflamed skin or increasing pain as these could all be signs of a serious infection.