Skin irritation in the inner thigh area is actually quite common. This might happen due to allergies, due to constant contact with damp clothes, specific chemicals and several other reasons. One of the reasons can be skin chafing (chub rub); for people who are overweight, or who exercise a lot. It can also happen in babies whose diapers don’t get changed enough. Rashes due to skin chafing can occur under breasts, groin area, underarms, between buttocks etc. But the most common skin eruption occurs in the inner thigh region, because of chafing thighs.
So here’s a list of the causes, symptoms and home treatment for skin rashes caused due to inner thigh chafing:
Skin rashes, especially in the inner thigh area, are caused by:
- Contact with damp clothes
- Infrequently changed diapers
- Constant rubbing or friction with clothes
- Allergies
- For overweight people, the thighs constantly chafing against one another
- Exercises like running, swimming etc
- Skin perspiration
- Damp or dirty bedclothes
- Reaction to ointments or gels
- Humid environment
Symptoms
Inner thigh rash can take a number of symptoms; like irritation, inflammations, discoloration, eruptions, etc. Thus the symptoms of rash outbreak depend upon the type of skin problem:
Common symptoms in the thigh area are:
- Inflamed, red skin
- Scaly, flaky skin
- Constant irritation and itching
- Weeping rashes, oozing pus
- Blister formation
- Skin ulcer
- Skin discoloration, patching and mottling
- Formation of crusts
- Painful, bleeding skin
- Vesicular rashes
The best home remedies for getting rid of inner thigh chafing rash and heal chafed skin
1. Aloe vera
Aloe vera is an excellent herbal cure for all kinds of skin problems, including thigh rashes. The best option would be to grind aloe vera leaves and apply on affected area directly. However, as virgin aloe vera is difficult to get, you can get the organic paste and apply it. You can also mix the aloe juice (1/4th measure) in one cup of green tea and add four spoons of lavender water. Apply this mixture carefully on affected area; you are guaranteed to feel relief.
2. Neem (Azadiractha Indica)
This plant has been around as an ayurvedic cure for skin problems for thousands of years. Neem is especially good as a medicinal herb for psoriasis, eczema, dry skin and irritation. Mix half measure of neem paste in an equal amount of rose water and gently massage on to the skin. Keep for half an hour or so (till it dries) and then wash it off with cold water. Your skin will turn smooth again within one week.
3. Turmeric
Popularly known as haldi in India, this is also a prominent ingredient in ayurvedic cures. Turmeric may be found raw or in paste form, it is recommended that you only use organic paste. Mix 3 spoons of turmeric with 1 spoon of water and apply over affected area. Let the paste dry and then rinse off. It is the best home remedy for getting rid of inner thigh chub rub rash.
4. Honey
Honey is also a natural curative that can work wonders for your skin rash. Don’t use direct honey, dilute it with lukewarm water and apply using cotton or a clean cloth. Though the cure takes slightly longer, honey ensures that your rashes don’t come back.
5. Use soaks
Soaking the affected area with various healing components is a good way of easing skin irritation. Organic soaks may be made with several ingredients, like calendula flowers, lavender water, rose water, tea tree oil etc. Another good method is to soak a clean cotton bandage with a mixture of lavender oil (two drops) and baking soda (2 cups). Applying over irritated area is guaranteed to bring relief.
6. Oatmeal
Oatmeal contains substances called avenanthramides which are excellent for curing skin inflammation. Use a colloidal oatmeal paste, which may be easily made at home by grinding the oatmeal and mixing it in warm water to make a thick paste.
7. Chamomile tea
Washing affected area with chamomile tea has been a traditional method for curing rash. Soak a clean piece of cloth in chamomile tea and use it as a compress for 5-7 minutes. You will notice an improvement overnight.
8. Clay
If you have a little time on your hands at the end of each day, clay can be a powerful healer. The kind of clay to use for making clay packs is montmorillonite clay or bentonite clay. If you can get your hands on the actual clay, mix it in filtered water to create a poultice. Then simply dab it on to the irritated skin. If you have clay packs, spread the clay on to a clean gauze cloth and apply. You will need to keep still for a little while as it takes time to dry.
9. Peppermint leaves
Peppermint is ideal for a cold compress to sooth itching in affected areas. All you need to do is crush peppermint leaves, spread them on a piece of cloth soaked in cold water (or ice cubes) and apply. It will bring down the inflammation instantly.
10. Basil leaves
Basil leaves are rich in thymol, which is an oily substance that’s great for reducing rashes. All you need to do is grind basil leaves, make a paste in rose/lavender water or glycerine, and apply.
11. Tea tree oil
Although tea tree oil is used mainly for acne, it can be an excellent home remedy for getting rid of inner thigh rash. It has anti-bacterial and antimicrobial properties, so it will stop your rashes from getting worse by septicemia.
12. Olive oil
Another popular home remedy that’s right on top of your kitchen shelf is olive oil. It can reduce the stinging sensation of skin rashes. However, clean the affected area thoroughly before applying it, or else the microbes remain trapped.
13. Margosa leaves and lemon
Lemon has antibacterial properties, but is acidic and hence must be used with a base. A poultice of shredded margosa leaves in lemon is excellent as a cure.
14. Almond oil
Almond oil is the best herbal remedy for toddlers who are suffering from diaper rash. Rub almond oil thoroughly over affected area and watch the rashes disappear overnight.
15. Baking soda
For really bad cases of skin chafing, baking soda can provide instant relief. Never use the chemical by itself, add it to warm water to create a paste. Try not to keep it on the skin for too long, because it might burn the skin and worsen your problem.
16. Herbal soap
Sometimes, using a chemical soap on skin rashes may cause the condition to worsen. Try and use herbal soaps with aloe vera, tea tree oil, calendula flowers etc.
17. Castor oil
Castor oil has excellent healing properties for all kinds of skin/hair problems. Using castor oil over affected area regularly will reduce rashes in no time.
Preventive measures
Skin rashes can easily be avoided if you take certain precautions. These are:
- Get rid of chafing by wearing bandelettes, biker shorts, anti-chafing shorts
- Apply powder on the chub rub affected area
- Keep it dry, don’t go bathing in public pools or water parks
- If your infant suffers from diaper rash, get him diaper rash cream