A skin irritation may seem like a minor annoyance, but it can become quite a problem. The skin becomes inflamed when it constantly rubs itself or other materials, such as clothing. Over time, the friction causes the skin to peel or even bleed. If you often experience skin irritation when exercising, or even if it happens only occasionally, learn how to treat your skin and prevent it from becoming inflamed in the future.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Treat Irritated Skin
Step 1. Clean the area
Wash the affected area carefully with a mild soap and rinse. Pat your skin dry with a clean towel. Washing irritated skin is especially important after playing sports or sweating a lot; before treating it, you must eliminate any traces of sweat.
Avoid rubbing dry and peeling skin aggressively with a towel, otherwise you risk irritating it further
Step 2. Apply a powder product
Sprinkle it on your skin. It should help reduce skin friction. You can use baby powder without talc, baking soda, cornstarch, or another product designed for the body. Avoid talc, as some research suggests it may be carcinogenic.
Step 3. Apply an ointment
To reduce friction on the skin, use any type of petroleum jelly, body balm, diaper rash cream, or product designed to protect against skin irritation. Several products are specifically designed to prevent inflammation that primarily affects athletes. After applying the ointment, you can try covering the area with a sterile bandage or gauze.
If the area is very sore or bleeding, ask your doctor to prescribe a medicated ointment. You can apply it on the skin as if it were petroleum jelly
Step 4. Make a cold compress
Refresh irritated skin by applying a cold pack after you finish playing sports or when you start to notice inflammation. Make sure you don't apply ice or pack directly to the skin, as this can damage it further. Instead, wrap the ice in a towel or cloth and hold it close to your skin for 20 minutes. The cooling sensation will give you immediate relief.
Step 5. Apply soothing gels or oils
Massage aloe vera gel extracted directly from the plant onto the irritated area. You can also buy a product that contains this active ingredient, but make sure it is completely natural, or nearly so: it will calm the skin. Another method to soothe it? Pour a couple of drops of tea tree oil onto a cotton ball, then apply it to your skin. It can fight the infection and help it heal sooner.
Step 6. Take a soothing bath
Create a calming solution by mixing 2 cups of baking soda and 10 drops of lavender essential oil. Then, pour it into the bathtub as it fills with warm water. Avoid immersing yourself in very hot water, as it can dry out or irritate your skin even more. Stay in the tub for at least 20 minutes, then go outside and pat yourself dry with a clean towel.
You can also make a soothing herbal tea to pour into the bathtub. Bring 30 g of green tea, 30 g of dried calendula and 30 g of dried chamomile to a boil in 2 liters of water. Leave the herbal tea to infuse until the liquid has cooled, then strain it and pour it into the tub
Step 7. See a doctor if necessary
Irritated skin can become infected and require expert intervention. If you notice an infection or a red, scaly rash, see a specialist. You should also go if the affected area is very sore or sore.
Part 2 of 2: Preventing Skin Irritations
Step 1. Keep your skin dry
If you know you'll be exercising and sweating, be sure to apply a talc-free, rock alum-based powder to the areas that usually transpire the most. Sweating will make the irritation worse, so change as soon as possible.
Step 2. Wear the right clothes
Too tight clothing can irritate the skin and cause skin inflammation. Choose synthetic clothing that fits your body without forcing it. Clothes that line the skin well prevent friction that causes irritation. If you play sports, don't wear cotton and try to dress as little as possible.
Avoid clothes with seams or straps that rub against the skin. If you notice that they scratch or irritate your skin as soon as you put them on, the friction will only get worse after wearing them for several hours. Better to choose more comfortable clothing that does not irritate the skin
Step 3. Drink more water, especially when exercising
Consuming water will facilitate sweating, which prevents the formation of salt crystals. Salt crystals found on the skin can be a source of friction, causing irritation.
Step 4. Prepare a preventative lubricant solution
You will need diaper rash ointment and petroleum jelly. Measure one cup for each ingredient and mix them in a bowl. Add 60ml of a vitamin E cream and 60ml of an aloe vera cream. Mix the mixture well. It will be quite thick, but you can apply it to irritated skin.
Before exercising or sweating, apply the lubricant to areas that are usually irritated. It can also help treat irritation and prevent blisters
Step 5. Try to lose weight
If you are overweight, you may see more irritation. This is especially true if you notice inflammation on the thighs. Losing weight will help prevent excess skin from rubbing against itself in the future.
Start exercising and incorporate healthy food into your diet. You can try sports that don't cause significant irritation, such as swimming, weight lifting, or rowing
Advice
- When the skin becomes infected and starts bleeding, first wash the area with an antibacterial soap. Use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide to get rid of germs from your skin, then apply antibiotic ointment to the affected area. Wait a couple of days before using natural methods, as the bleeding must have subsided and the area must have started to heal.
- See your doctor if the area doesn't heal or gets worse after a few days.
