8 Top Natural Cures For Chafing

Chafing is a painful condition when there is soreness of the skin caused due to friction, sweat or irritation of the skin. Through constant friction, some parts of your skin become damaged such as the thighs or armpits. Chafing is a big problem for many people. Regular bathing and good hygiene are some of the ideal natural cures for this condition.

Some of the herbs which can be used to cure chafing include Aloe Vera, Calendula, Marshmallow, Witch Hazel and Barberry. Bacterial infections can also result due to chafing and sweating. Natural cures are very important to prevent further skin complications due to chafing. This article discusses some of the best natural cures for chafing.

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8 Effective Natural Cures For Chafing

Regular Bathing Is A Must

Make sure that you use ample soap and water and that you take regular baths. Baths are soothing for the skin and they ensure that the body remains clean and the skin is soft. Regular baths also prevent the collection of sweat in areas such as the groin and armpit. Sweat in these areas is often a precursor to and a cause for chafing. Chafing can also be cured using regular cold showers which cool the skin and prevent the build up of heat in the body.

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Use Milk

You can prevent dryness and friction which results in chafing by lubricating your skin. One easy way to do this is to apply milk in the areas where chafing occurs most regularly. You can apply cold milk and let it dry on your skin in those parts of your body prone to chafing.

Then, you should take damp cotton swab and dab the milk away. Milk washes away leaving behind a thin coat of protein which protects your skin against friction and consequent chafing. Milk is so effective in healing the skin that it is often used as an ingredient in skin softening and skin cleansing ointments, salves, creams and solutions.

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Wear Light Cotton Clothing

Chafing is more common when the climate is hot. In such conditions, one top natural cure is to wear light cotton clothes. The natural fiber of the cotton relieves body heat and ensures that the body’s pores remain in contact with the air and the sweat dries off fast. As sweat and tight constricted clothing can contribute to the development of chafing, wearing light clothes which allow your skin to breathe is one of the most efficacious natural cures for dealing with this problem. Light clothes which are loose should also be worn as these can ensure that plenty of air circulates through your body parts and makes you more comfortable. This also ensures relief from intensification of chafing in sweat prone areas of your body.

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Tepid Baths

You can soak in a bath tub containing tepid water and colloidal oatmeal. This is a great solution for healing the skin and easing chafing. Chafing in the skin is due to moisture on the skin. The oatmeal in the bath water absorbs the excess moisture from the skin. It is important to pat yourself dry and ensure that you do not experience any stickiness after the bath as it can exacerbate chafing. Tepid baths also allow the pores of the skin to breathe and heal skin which has been damaged due to chafing.

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Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe Vera is anti-inflammatory as well as an antiseptic. Two of these medicinal properties that it possesses make it an ideal natural cure for chafing. You can take the gel from the inner mucilaginous lining of the leaves of this herb and apply it on the skin parts which are beginning to chafe. Glycoproteins and polysaccharides found in this herb soothe the skin, soften it and repair the damage done to the skin due to chafing. Aloe Vera gel extract can also be applied to the chafed parts of your skin for quick relief. Aloe Vera also softens the skin and prevents further chafing. In fact, Aloe Vera is so effective in healing skin conditions that it is part of several skin care and cosmetic products.

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Dab Calendula Infused Oil

Calendula Officinalis is the botanical name assigned to this herb. Calendula is so useful for healing skin conditions such as chafing that it is part of several skin ointments, salves, creams and lotions. Calendula is also commonly known as Pot Marigold. Calendula flowers and leaves can be soaked in a sealed jar containing carrier oils such as Olive oil or Avocado oil and allowed to remain untouched for up to 2 to 3 weeks. During this time, the curative powers of the herb are imbibed by the carrier oil. Calendula infused oil can be applied to the chafed skin for relief from the soreness. It also lubricates the skin and prevents further chafing.

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Witch Hazel Extract

Witch Hazel is botanically known as Hamamelis Virginiana. This herb is known for healing skin conditions such as chafing. Witch Hazel extract can be applied directly on the chafed skin for relief from the soreness and pain.

Witch Hazel covers the layer of the skin with a protective coating and prevents chafing as well as bacterial infections that may result from sweating and friction induced heat in certain parts of your body. Witch Hazel is also used to make skin creams and lotions to heal the skin. Witch Hazel tincture can also be mixed with hot water. A compress can be dipped into the solution and applied all over the body in areas where the chafing has occurred. The softness of the skin is also restored by using this herbal remedy. It is an unbeatable natural cure for chafing.

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Marshmallow Root Paste

Althea Officinalis is the Latin name assigned to this herb. It is a good herbal cure for skin chafing. Marshmallow root contains mucilage which coats the skin in a protective layer that guards it from friction and heals the damage due to chafing.

Marshmallow has been used as a herbal remedy by Arabic people for centuries. Marshmallow root can be boiled and softened. It can then be crushed till you make it paste like. This paste should be combined with some diluted Neem oil and applied on the chafed skin for quick relief. Neem oil is antibacterial and it guards against the development of bacterial infection in the skin and softens the skin as well by lubricating it.