Are you suffering from chaffing in the thighs and looking for ways to prevent it? Learn about some essential oils to prevent chaffing naturally.
What is Chaffing?
The summer season brings the possibility of a number of various uncomfortable and painful physical conditions. One of them is chaffing. Chaffing can happen due to friction between skin and skin, skin and other surfaces, and/or skin and fabric. Walking, running, biking or other such activities cause your thighs to rub against each other. The friction produces heat, and coupled with moist, sweaty skin, it can cause the skin of your inner thighs to chafe. While it subsides with time, it makes it uncomfortable to walk or run. Instead of applying ointments, you can try these essential oils to prevent chaffing in summers.
Symptoms and Causes
Chafing can occur on your neck, shoulders, under your breasts, nipples, underarms, groin, feet, or buttocks. It causes burning pain, irritation, itching, skin redness, and inflammation. Chafed skin appears red with blisters or rashes. Sometimes, it can even result in broken skin and bleeding. Broken skin becomes vulnerable to infection and elevates the problem.
If you are obese, exercise intensely, or are breastfeeding, you are more likely to experience chafing. Tight or ill-fitting clothes and footwear and prolonged use of diapers for babies are some other causes of chafing.
Essential Oils To Prevent Chafing
Essential oils contain the concentrated beneficial phytochemicals of the plants they are extracted from. They help reduce redness, soothe irritation and relieve the pain, itching, and inflammation of chafed skin. They promote healing and help prevent infection. Dilute the essential oil with a carrier oil such as coconut oil or sweet almond oil before applying it to your skin. The usual dilution is 2 to 3 drops of the essential oil in a tablespoon of carrier oil.
Coconut oil is rich in polyphenols and fatty acids and has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, moisturizing, and healing properties. You can apply coconut oil to the affected area twice or thrice a day till the skin heals. In combination with the below essential oils, the benefits of coconut oil increase!
1. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It promotes skin healing and prevents the skin from infections. Dilute two drops of the oil with one tablespoon of carrier oil and apply to the chafed area.
2. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps relieve stress and calms and relaxes your mind. Apply the diluted oil twice a day on the chafed skin. Alternatively, add a few drops of lavender oil to your bath along with 12oz of sodium bicarbonate. Soak in the bath. The lavender oil alleviates the irritation and burning caused by chafing, while the sodium bicarbonate relieves pain and itching.
3. Olive Oil
Olive oil has skin-soothing and moisturizing properties. You can apply the oil to the chafed skin after taking a bath and let it soak in before putting on any clothes.
4. Frankincense Oil
This oil is effective in treating inflammation and healing skin irritation. Take a few drops of the oil on your palms and apply it gently to the chafed skin.
5. German Chamomile Oil and Patchouli Oil
German chamomile oil helps soothe skin irritation and reduces stinging pain. While patchouli oil has antiseptic properties that help prevent infections. Besides, it helps numb the nerves on the skin surface, thereby offering pain relief.
7. Calendula Oil
It has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. It helps soothe and heal chafed skin.
General Advisory and Precautions
Heal chafed skin by keeping the area clean and dry. Avoid any activity that may aggravate the problem. Wear cotton clothes or sweat-wicking fabric. Do a patch test to check for allergic reactions before using any essential oil. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor before using essential oils.