I Forgot My Lube
Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 1:23PM It's been a while since I have done any lengthy running sessions. I forgot that augmented training increases the opportunity for heat, friction, and moisture to form their devious collaboration against the inner thighs, not to mention other potential hazard zones such as feet, underarms, and... well, I'll just let you use your imagination.
Chafing, that painful stinging or burning sensation that is followed by redness in the affected area, can be caused by skin rubbing against skin or fabric. Overly loose clothing can be culprit. It is best to wear fitted athletic clothing designed to wick moisture away from the body. Cotton is a no-no. It holds moisture against the skin and is rough when wet. Clothing, however, is not typically the primary problem. Hydration is.
Not being properly hydrated causes skin to become dry. This dehydrated skin creates increased friction, and disaster can strike over the thousands of steps during a longer run [Enter chafing]. The other problem is sweat. When poorly hydrated the body releases a greater ratio of the dissolved solids found in sweat, such as chlorides, rather than water, often leaving a crystalized residue that just loves to wreak havoc in high friction areas.
A great way to prevent the problem is by reducing the friction altogether. There are many products that work, but I have used a silicone spray called Trislide extensively. It's easy to use and convenient for those not-so-eager-to-reach places that are often the most problematic. I also have a couple Body Glide products that I am eager to try. They both boast no mess and no petroleum. They are dry and safe on clothing. Any of these items are a good idea for a race bag, but don't let an anti-chafe product take the place of drinking water.
When chafing does happen, like it did to me today, treat it like an open sore. Clean it, sanitize the area, and apply an antibiotic salve. A protective dressing can protect both the chafed area and your clothing from the applied ointment. I favor a diaper and rash ointment called A&D Ointment, the "Gold Standard of Protection..." If it's good enough for my new-born, it's good enough for me. Actually, I have been using it with great results for years.
Reader Comments (3)
I've used the Body Glide products for years, best product I've found so far - though I may have to try Trislide.
Nathan please please tell me that is just a picture you pulled off the internet. oooooouch!
How'd you guess, Barb. I'm not yet brave/stupid enough to take pictures of some of my more personal chaffing spots yet :-)