How to Deal with Chub Rub

By Teen Health Source

It’s summer! You know what that means:

Heat + moisture/sweat + friction = chub rub!

While it’s not only a summer affliction, it’s definitely something that more people experience in these sunny, hot months. Read on for more info on how you can prevent and treat chub rub!

What is Chub Rub?

Chub Rub is that uncomfortable sensation that comes from when you thighs rub together. This condition is often much worse in hot weather. It typically affects people with thighs that naturally touch, but all kinds of people may experience chub rub. Many people notice it during exercise, or while wearing shorts and skirts in the summertime. The chafing, rashes, and bumps caused by chub rub can be painful and stressful. It can be hard to know how to stop it from happening and how to treat it once it has happened. While there is nothing wrong with having thighs that rub together, it’s useful to know how to keep them from getting sore and irritated due to friction.

Preventing Chub Rub

Here are some things you can try to try and avoid getting chub rub:

• Air ’em out! Let your thigh breathe and cool off to cut down on the amount of sweat in the area. You can do this by wearing skirts or shorts, or making sure to spend time in the shade. Let your legs air out and dry off after any kind of exercise.
• Wear Bike shorts! Also called Cycling Shorts, these hug the body and provide a barrier between the thighs. If you’re going for this option, choose a fabric that has ventilation and is made from a moisture-wicking material. Form-fitting boxer briefs may also do the trick, but be sure to pick a fabric that won’t ride up.
• Wear Bandelettes! These are attractive thigh bands designed to stay put and provide comfort and protection against chafing all day long.
• Use Monistat Anti-Chafing Powder Gel and Body Glide! These are two brand name forms of anti-chafing treatment that can stand up to the worst chub rub. If you can’t get an official anti-chafing product, there are other options that may already be in your home: all-natural deodorant, coconut oil, baby oil, Vaseline, and diaper rash creams, like Desitin, can provide protection against inner thigh chafing. Lush also has a product called ‘Silky Underwear’ which is worth checking out.

Ouch! Treating Chub Rub

Oh no! It happened! What do you do to lessen the pain and irritation of chub rub? Here are some options:

• Rinse your thighs with cool water and gentle soap (a moisturizing bar like Dove).
• Use antibacterial cream to clean the affected area, preferably a natural one.
• Apply Aloe Vera Gel to soothe the irritation.
• Cover thighs with gauze and keep legs separated so they don’t make the irritation worse.
• Keep area dry by wearing breathable cotton and/or moisture-wicking, anti-chafing shorts.
• Soaking in a (salt) bath can help relieve inner-thigh soreness, and it also clears the pores.
• Some people find it soothing to place ice packs or cold compresses on their inner thighs.
• Refrain from squeezing bumps on your inner thighs as they can bleed and scar.
• Shaving the pubic area can increase irritation around thighs.
• Keeps thighs moisturized with an all-natural lotion.
• If chafed area worsens, consult a clinician.

Here’s a handy table that breaks down some of the treatments out there. As a disclaimer: This isn’t medical advice or an endorsement! This is just stuff that has worked for people in the past, and that you could consider trying. Again, if you’re really not sure and the chub rub is more uncomfortable or painful than you can handle, check in with a clinician.

First Place	Monistat Anti-Chafing Powder Gel Body Glide
Second Place	Gold Bond Friction Defense (stick or gel – powder is less effective) Silky Underwear Dusting Powder by Lush Cosmetics Lanacane Anti-Friction Gel Fresh Balls (cream) Anti-Monkey Butt Powder Chamois Butt’r 2Toms Sport Shield (liquid roll-on)
Third Place	Deoderant (All natural is best, like Tom’s of Maine. Do not use anti-perspirants.) Coconut Oil Desitin (and other diaper rash creams) Vaseline (petroleum jelly) Baby Oil Baby Powder (Cornstarch-based, not talcum-based. Talcum-based ones are carcinogenic.)
Clothing (to deter chafing)	Bandelettes Cycling/compression/Spandex Shorts Stockings Leggings Undersummers Jockey Skimmies Slipshort Boxer Briefs Lululemon, Underarmour, Nike (with crotch ventilation), Moving Comfort, Dear Kate, Sonsee Anti-Chafing Shorts, Thigh Society Anti-Chafing Shorts – breathable, wicks away sweat
Soothing/Healing	Neosporin Aloe Vera Gel Tea Tree Oil Argan Oil Turmeric Powder/Paste

Resources

For more info on Chub Rub, check out these videos:

• What Is The Best Way To Beat Chub Rub? [YouTube]
• How To: 8 Ways to Beat Chub Rub ||GRACEY MAE [YouTube]
• Tips for dealing with chub rub [YouTube]
• Chub Rub Prevention, Reviews and Faves! [YouTube]

Or you can read these articles:

• IT’S CHUB RUB SEASON: 10 Solutions To Ward Off Inner Thigh Chafing, And I TRIED THEM ALL [xoJane]
• 13 Ways To Deal With Hot, Sweaty Thighs During The Summer [Buzzfeed]
• How To Soothe And Heal Inner Thigh Chafing Because Sometimes Chub Rub Sneaks Up On You [Bustle]
• Rub A Dub Dub, Let’s Talk About Chub Rub! [Bust]

If you have questions about this topic, feel free to contact one of our peer educators. [Link]

Last Updated: April 2020