Beware of Carnival Chafing

It’s a subject that makes most women cringe, even as they prepare their bodies to get into that sexy carnival costume that’s complete with tights, stockings and undies. With all the heat that’s trapped in there, during the jump, jump, jump and wine, wine, wine, soon they will realise that something doesn’t feel so right when they take a few steps. Immediately their walk changes and they move slower and may even start to waddle. It’s a pain that feels fiery and not unlike the heat from a terrible sunburn. The skin itself is raw, raised and slightly puffy and hurts when you touch it. It’s a patch of skin so red and inflamed that it looks as though it's been cooked with a flame fed by Ramco gas. It’s a bad case of chafing. Chafing means soreness or irritation of the skin caused by friction due to rubbing of two body parts or skin against clothing. Heat, humidity and sweat which are part and parcel of the ‘jump up’ are a bad recipe for skin chafing, which happens once skin rubs against skin (seemingly) nonstop, especially in the damp areas of the thighs, under the breasts and buttocks and sometimes in the armpits. As those women among us who play mas each year can attest, the synthetics are often to blame. You hardly hear the men complain about chafing, because they’re not the ones wearing the polyester pants, the cycle shorts and spanx or the nylon panty hose and spandex in the hot sun. We do it to ourselves and set up our nether regions for a world of pain because these materials trap moisture and reduce airflow to the vulnerable areas of the body, i.e. the entire pelvic region. Women can also unintentionally set themselves up for a flare-up from an unwanted yeast infection, worse yet if they’ve been on medication such as antibiotics.  

 

If you can’t change the costume, here’s how to protect your skin.

• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Among other things, staying well hydrated will help prevent chafing by allowing you to perspire freely. 

• Wear looser clothing. Don’t wear tight underwear and select snug fitting (but not tight) clothing. Shorts or jog bras that are too tight or too loose will create friction and rubbing. Skin in the groin area often tends to suffer chafing because of sweat and tight undergarments.

• Choose breathable fabrics Coolmax, Supplex, Polypro, etc. are good choices. Clothing should have fewer seams (especially flat seams) and small flat stitching.

• As a rule, never wear unwashed new clothing, especially underpants. Once the costume pieces don’t have anything stuck on that could be ruined, wash it before you wear it. 

 

Fortunately, chafed skin is easily soothed. Strip. Ideally, the best way to deal with chafing is to remove your clothes and walk around naked if you’re at home. If modesty (or other circumstances) prevents you from taking that tack, pull on a peasant dress or caftan that allows air to circulate freely around your body. The air reduces excess moisture on the skin that interferes with healing. Rinse, then rinse again. After you bathe or shower, rinse your body thoroughly so that no soap remains on your skin. Soap residues can compound chafing by irritating the skin, and they can disrupt your body's natural moisture barriers that normally shield you from at least some of the friction generated by skin-to-skin rubbing. Be meticulous when drying your skin. Lift your belly if it hangs down a bit – don’t laugh – and pat dry the skin underneath.  Pat under the breasts, and gently pat the skin on the thighs. No rubbing. Make it a point to stay dry.

 

Apply a medicated cream. If the chafed area feels really irritated, smooth on an over-the-counter cortisone cream. It will stop the inflammation and soothe your skin. If that doesn’t work, you can try applying Lotrimin or Monistat to the area--yes, the same cream that's sold for vaginal yeast infections. Just follow dosage instructions on the package. Sprinkle on an absorbent powder. Sprinkle a light covering of medicated powder on the above mentioned areas that are prone to chafing. Ask your doctor or pharmacist which kind is best, as there are powders out there that will actually absorb at least some excess moisture as you move through your day, and it will zap any errant yeast cells that might have plans for colonising on your skin. (Ask about Zinc Oxide, powders that contain cornstarch and diaper rash remedies.)

Use tampons, not pads. Since sanitary napkins prevent the free flow of air and cause a build-up of moisture where crotch and thigh meet, use tampons instead. If you can't use tampons, make sure that you change your sanitary napkin frequently. Lose some weight. If you're significantly overweight, the best way to prevent chafing is to lose excess pounds. That way you're much less likely to have sagging skin that can rub against the rest of your body.