Chafing on the inner thighs

Short answer: A layer of fabric between the thighs stops the problem. Underwear with longer legs or hotpants are the simplest solution on warm days, because they remove the skin on skin contact.

Skin on skin is the cause

When the thighs touch and the skin is damp, chafing starts quickly. With every step, skin rubs against skin, and after a long walk the area can be red and sore. A layer of fabric in between removes the contact, so the fabric rubs rather than the skin. See bamboo boxers.

The length has to be enough

The leg has to reach further down than the spot where the thighs touch. If the leg is too short, the edge ends exactly where the rubbing happens, and the problem just moves. Notice where your thighs meet when you walk. See the longer leg styles in bamboo underwear for men.

For women there are hotpants

Hotpants do the same job as underwear with legs and reach over the upper part of the thigh. They work well under skirts and dresses on warm days, when the thighs would otherwise touch directly. Choose a length that covers the spot that chafes. See them in bamboo panties.

The leg has to stay in place

A leg that rides up does not help. It bunches between the thighs and can chafe more than before. The leg should fit close enough to stay in place, but not so tight that the edge cuts in. Go for a walk in them before you decide.

Moisture and warm days

Chafing happens most in summer, because moisture softens the skin and you walk more. A fabric that moves moisture away from the skin keeps the area drier. Change into dry underwear if you have sweated a lot, instead of spending the whole day in a damp layer.

Flat seams and soft edges

The seams on the inside of the leg sit exactly where the rubbing is greatest. A thick seam can cause chafing on its own. Choose styles with flat seams and a soft edge at the leg opening. Turn them inside out and feel them before you wear them on a long day.

Wash and change

Underwear you have sweated in gets stiffer and rubs more as it dries. Change daily, and more often on warm days. Wash with a neutral detergent and no fabric softener, so no residue sits in the fabric against skin that is already under strain. Let it air dry.

When the skin is already chafed

If the skin is already chafed, keep the area dry and avoid rubbing until it has healed. A layer of fabric in between helps here too. If you have sores that do not heal, that keep coming back, or if the skin becomes warm and swollen, see a doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Why does it happen mostly in summer

Because moisture softens the skin, and because you walk more in thin clothing and skirts, where the thighs touch directly with nothing in between.

Does a cream help

Some people use one. A layer of fabric is a more lasting solution, because it does not wear off during the day the way a cream does.

What if the skin is already chafed

Keep the area dry and avoid rubbing until it has healed. If you have sores that do not heal, see a doctor and have it checked.