Many a runner has told me that they can’t run in shorts due to thigh chafing. And anyone who has dealt with chafing while running fully understands that fear.
Nothing is worse that feeling that sting mid-way through a run and knowing there is almost nothing you can do about.
Well, it’s possibly worse when you step in to the shower and yelp as water hits a spot you didn’t realize had been rubbed raw. EIIKKKKKKK, if you’ve been there, you know. It’s the worst.
Running is supposed to be fun, so let’s talk about ways to avoid this painful issue and what to do if you’ve already got chafing rash or skin irritation from your workout.
What is Chafing?
Chafing is a skin irritation caused by skin rubbing against skin, fabric or another surface. The repeated friction leads to an inflamed area of skin.
Symptoms of chafing are hard to miss as the area is red, burning, stinging and if it continues bleeding or swelling.
Medically the skin-to-skin rubbing is called intertrigo, but runners who often experience inner thigh chafing refer to as chub rub. Personally, I dislike this terminology because it takes away from our muscled powerful legs that are working hard.
But it’s also not uncommon to find chafing under the armpits, along the seams of a sports bra or heart rate…
