Preventing Chaffing?

imported
#1

Men! Women! Anyone know how to do this? Seems the first miles are the worst…

In the past I have used baby powder.

Dawg

Dawgtrekker

#2

Nivea moisterising cream works for me. An application in the morning and once before bed. Or vaseline.

Ross

Ross

#3

For the encouragement post you made earlier; I appreciate the evol. Why didn’t you tell anyone about the pre-hike? I did the same trek in the Spring. Off to the Walasa-Yi (sp) center in the mornig for those guys to help my pack weight and then off to the right on the AT for several miles for a cold-weather run…and it’s raining tonight, but should be sunny Fri, Sat and Sun. Are the SOBO’s arriving now?

Dawgtrekker

Dawgtrekker

#4

no underwear or capilene underwear if underwear is a must.

i used running shorts that had a lining thing built in like swim trunks and never chaffed after buying those. its really the way to go.

Big Boy

#5

This is veering away from the afore mentioned subject but…Why did’nt i tell anyone about what pre-hike?? You lost me there dawg man???

Happy thanksgiving to all!! I’m celebrating by working hard…at night…in England…on my own…I think i’ll stop now.

Ross

Ross

#6

Perhaps I’m mistaken…Sorry, buddy! Also sorry you’re at work…alone…

At least you have the forum!!

Dawg

Dawgtrekker

#7

Take a look at Underarmour.com at the heatgear compression shorts. They’re like mtn bike shorts without the padding. They’re skin tight, wicking, and breathable. You can find them at places like Hibbets or Dick’s Sporting Goods stores. I’ve used them and they work great.

Nooga

#8

I’ve heard of people using these…and if I recall, because chronic chaffing pushed 'em to use 'em. Great idea! How many pair or did one work the whole way?

Dawg

Dawgtrekker

#9

Body Glide is an anti chaffing product that you apply to the skin. You apply it much like speed stick to areas that may become chaffed. Im starting to see Body Glide in outfitters along the AT. Good stuff. That and goldbond are what I combat chaffing with…

Heald

#10

I haven’t thru hiked but I’ve hiked aprox 140 miles in them without any visible wear at all. They still look brand new… I’d say one pair should make it the whole way and you definately shouldn’t need more than two.

Nooga

#11

I haven’t had much chaffing, but both time I did, it was solved by increasing air flow to my crotch. opening a zipper works, given the right company. Sometimes I just roll up my short legs some, and that helps. I believe that the salt from sweat is the culprit. Try also rinsing the area with water, to remove the abrasive salt. Works for me, even if it did look like I wet my pants afterward. If you’re secure in your manhood, a skirt or kilt would really help. Just remember to cross your legs when you sit. :lol

Tha Wookie

#12

The rash is caused by bacteria as much as friction. This bacteria grows like crazy in a moist hot enviroment. Much of the bacteria comes from your backside if you do not properly do the paper work before you leave the cat hole. During the day when you sweat the sweat runs down your back to your crotch carring the bacteria with it. I used to get the rash bad until I started the following procedures. I bring baby wipes with me and after evacuating I wipe with TP then clean up with the baby wipe. When I get to camp I walk off in the woods with some soap and water and wash that area and dry as well as I can. Put on some Gold Bond powder and dry underwear to sleep in and I’m good to go. I haven’t had the rash since. This may seem like overkill but I got a rash so bad one day I had to go to the emergency room to get some relief. This could end a hike really fast.

Big B

#13

I work in a hot kitchen all day wearing polyester pants,and what all cooks swear by is corn starch.It absorbs moisture and smoothes friction,cheap and easily available too.

newb

#14

This has been discussed in the forum a time or two. Do a history search for more info and responses on this subject.

Chaffing has ended thru hikes and you can read about it in various hiker journals.

Ways to prevent chaffing in thighs and crotch area: (1)longjohn bottoms with shorts over them (2) Spandex shorts (3) pantyhose with shorts over them (4) any tight fitting absorbent shorts or undershorts (5) various types of lubricatants (vasaline, etc) and powders (Goldbond, baby powder, etc) or (6) a kilt or skirt with nothing underneath or just briefs underneath so you get good air flow and no rubbing.

Chaffing is caused by a combination of friction and moisture and perhaps some other things (salt from sweat and some bacteria perhaps)----keep clean and dry and you’ll have little problem with chaffing. Chaffing result is heat being produced between body parts rubbing together or body part rubbing againt loose fitting clothes, causes skin burning and iritation—and if severe enough, it can put you in the hospital and/or cause you to be unable to walk or walk only with severe pain.

Both men and women experience chaffing of the thighs and crotch area. Women also can get chaffing in their upper body area due to loose fitting clothes, moisture, etc. Also both men and women can get chaffing under the arms in the armpit areas if conditions are right for it.

Best to treat chaffing immediately, because just like a blister forming----if it is not treated immediately, it will just get worse and worse.

See you out there.

:cheers

Maintain

#15

In the hot droughty summer of 2002, there was no getting around this - we all chaffed. It didn’t hit me til NY, but just look at Funky Avo’s journal for some painful descriptions and pictures!!

I have been using wipes (I like the Prep H ones, made with witch hazel, not as heavy as baby wipes and they smell fresh, not babylike) for backpacking for several years now and won’t leave home w/o them. (this is another thing I put in all my drops DawgTrekker) I truly think this helped in this area A LOT. Use as directed from Big B above, after you poop, keeps the butt area from chaffing on itself when you sweat. And you will sweat, A LOT. Underwear is a personal issue, I found going w/o didn’t help in this department. I also hiked in a dress from VA==>VT which was probably helpful.

Most of the guys I hiked with had horrible problems with chafe. Footslogger this year solved his problem by sticked a piece of pack towel down his shorts and solving the problem at origin. Check out his journal and give him a shout on particulars as I think that sounded like it made the most sense, instead of dealing with it after it started. Prevention.

Bluebearee

#16

Chaffing didnt really affect me much. On the rare occasion it did desitin was great(thanks NOID!). Some people seem to really suffer the whole way. One thru in 2003 toyed with the idea of trail name Earl Chaffer after severe suffering early on. Saw him at various point along the way all the way to MD and he always seemed to have MONKEY BUTT

Yo-YO

#17

spandex is a good idea. I hiked the whole trail with a pair of North Face shorts under my hiking shorts. I wish I knew what material they were made out of. Not spandex but something soft and pleasing to the body :slight_smile:

A-Train

#18

spandex made it for me the whole way. just one pair. the ones i had sometimes the stitching came apart, so i had to sew it up. i even turned them inside out when my hip belt in the back would make the shorts rub against the skin.
other parts if they got chafed would get vaseline. id put the stuff on at bed time and id be good in the morning.

leapyear

#19

proper rinsing of the crotch area every day to remove excess salt from sweating.

spandex shorts…

witch hazel…

everything has been said…

after crotch rot set in… lots of Ital herbs soothed the pain…

aswah

Aswah

#20

I free balled the entire 2,173 miles of my SOBO hike, and I didnt get chaffing once. I am a really skinny gusy though, so chaffing usually doesnt plagued me … but I suggest it, plus one less piece of clothign to worry about … be free!!!

Waldo