8 Simple DIY Methods For Soothing Thigh Chafing

Regardless of your size or shape, you may have experienced the pain and annoyance that is chub rub. Especially as the weather heats up, the humidity rolls in, and our legs get more skin-on-skin contact, the effects can be bad enough to require some healing remedies. Good thing there are quite a few DIY methods for soothing thigh chafing. Because sometimes, even when you do your best to prevent it, friction has a way of happening. And the best way to make sure that your chafing doesn't become infected, according to WebMD, is to treat it right away and give it time to heal before causing too much friction again.

I mean, it's one thing when, instead of the knees, all of your jeans wear holes on the insides of your thighs first. (I like to tell myself at least there's an easy guide for where to cut them into shorts when they need to be retired.) But it's another thing when it's your skin that's wearing away instead of fabric. Because even though thigh chafing can start at a mild annoyance, it can quickly become hella painful. And if you don't happen to have the ideal barriers to wear for protection, or your favorite ointments and creams on hand to treat it, there are still DIY ways to handle chub rub. Here are eight home remedies (with only one or two ingredients!) to help soothe your thigh chafing. You know, so you don't have to waddle around anymore.

1. Lavender Oil + Baking Soda

Adding the right ingredients to your bath water can help alleviate the irritation from chafing. Try adding around 10 drops of lavender oil and two cups of baking soda and take a relaxing soak. Lavender oil has antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties while baking soda will help reduce the pain and itching so your thighs will feel back to normal in no time. Other soothing ingredients you could add to a bath include chamomile tea or calendula oil.

Try: Essential Oil Labs Lavender Oil, $12.99, Amazon

2. Turmeric + Water

Turmeric has both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, and can even help reduce the time it takes for wounds to heal. To soothe your skin, make a paste by mixing one teaspoon of water with three teaspoons of turmeric powder. Spread this over the affected area, cover it with a washcloth, and let it sit for around 30 minutes before washing. Just beware that turmeric will stain anything it touches yellow, so choose your covering accordingly, and be careful where you sit.

Try: Starwest Botanicals Organic Turmeric Root Powder, $12, Amazon

3. Oatmeal + Olive Oil

Together, oatmeal helps calm the skin while olive rehydrates. Mix olive oil into oatmeal so that it forms a paste, and then spread it over the affected areas. Let it sit for 10 to 20 minutes before washing off. You can even repeat this treatment multiple times a day, since it's so gentle.

4. Aloe Vera + Green Tea

Two of my personal favorite good-for-skin ingredients, aloe and green tea will both help soothe and heal a variety of skin concerns. Steep a bag of green tea for a few seconds so it becomes saturated, and then lightly dab it against the affected areas for a few minutes. Follow with aloe gel either directly from a plant or a bottle, and spread it over the area. Alternatively, try mixing aloe vera juice with green tea. Fill a spray bottle with the mixture (make sure it's lukewarm or cool), and spritz it over chafing as often as necessary.

Try: Green Leaf Naturals Organic Aloe Vera Gel, $12.95, Amazon

5. Ghee

Ghee not only has moisturizing but also healing compounds. Quickly make it at home by simmering unsalted butter and separating out the clarified butter. Then all you have to do is spread a thin layer over the affected areas once or twice a day. And hey, while you're at it, you can go ahead and apply it anywhere else you need a shot of moisture too.

6. Coconut Oil

By now, many of us probably know the magic that is coconut oil. Apply it anywhere and it will basically transform your life, right? Well chafing is no exception. The anti-inflammatory, healing, and moisturizing properties make it a go-to for quickly soothing and conditioning any chafed areas. Just like ghee, all you have to do is spread a thin layer on the affected areas (or, you know, your whole body) once or twice a day, and let it do its thing.

7. Cornstarch

If too much moisture is exacerbating the irritation of your chafed areas, try sprinkling a little cornstarch over the area, or dabbing it on using a clean sponge (like those eyeshadow applicator sponges you never use). Cornstarch will absorb any excess moisture while also reducing itching and help the healing process along.

8. Tea Tree Oil

With its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, tea tree oil will help prevent any chafing from becoming infected while also speeding up the healing process. Try mixing a couple drops of water with a couple drops of this essential oil on a cotton swab or cotton round and dabbing it over the affected area. Repeat this process everyday until the chafing heals for a faster recovery.

Try: Art Naturals Tea Tree Oil, $12.50, Amazon

If your skin does not improve after treatment, talk to your doctor or healthcare provider about other solutions.

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