Health Encyclopedia

Chafing

Definition

Chafing is skin irritation that occurs where skin rubs against skin, clothing, or other material.

Alternative Names

Skin irritation from rubbing

Information

When skin becomes irritated because of something rubbing, there are several things you can try, including:

Avoid coarse clothing. Wear 100% cotton fabric against your skin.
Eliminate friction against your skin by using appropriate clothing for the activity you are involved in (for example, athletic tights or cycling shorts).
Avoid activity that is causing chafing unless it is part of your typical lifestyle, exercise routine, sporting, or other activity.
Wear clean and dry clothing. Dried sweat, chemicals, dirt, and other debris may actually be causing the irritation.
Temporarily use petroleum jelly or baby powder as a lubricant on chafed areas of your skin. You can also use these agents before activity to prevent chafing in easily irritated areas -- for example, your inner thighs or upper arms while running.

References

Pratte M . Common skin conditions in athletes. Clin Fam Pract. 2003 Sep; 5(3); 653.

Review Date:7/18/2007
Reviewed By:Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Associate, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

ADAM Quality A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.