Groin chafing in men: why it happens and how to prevent it

Chafing is the sting you feel at the top of your thighs halfway through a long walk on a hot day, or the morning after a run. It happens when skin rubs against skin or fabric, and sweat makes it worse. A few changes to what you wear and how you dry off make it less likely.

What is chafing?

Chafing is irritation from skin rubbing against skin or clothing. NHS guidance says it can cause redness, bumps, itching and burning, and that keeping the skin clean and dry is important to prevent it.

Damp skin is easier to damage. DermNet, a dermatology reference, notes that friction blisters form more quickly when the skin is damp, and that heavy sweating softens the skin so it splits more easily.

Why does chafing happen in the groin and between the legs?

Your groin crease and inner thighs are where skin meets skin, all day. The Primary Care Dermatology Society says friction rashes in skin folds are helped along by moisture trapped where air can't circulate, and that the groin is one of the commonest places for them. A few things make it worse:

• Exercise. Long walks, runs and other activity mean a lot of rubbing, plus sweat.
• Heat and humidity. DermNet notes that skin-fold rashes happen more easily when it's hot and humid.
• The wrong fabric. DermNet notes that rough or hard fabrics can cause friction blisters in the groin, and the American Academy of Dermatology says cotton soaks up sweat during exercise, which can lead to chafing.
• Staying in damp clothes, such as sweaty gym kit or swimming shorts, for hours afterwards.

How to prevent chafing

Keep the skin dry and cut down the rubbing. In practice:

• For exercise, wear loose, moisture-wicking kit. The American Academy of Dermatology says moisture-wicking fabric pulls sweat away from your body and reduces friction, and suggests avoiding cotton during physical activity because it soaks up sweat.
• Day to day, choose light, loose, absorbent underwear that doesn't dig in. For skin folds, the Primary Care Dermatology Society suggests avoiding nylon and other synthetic fibres.
• Shower soon after exercise and dry the creases completely. Pat, don't rub, and give the groin crease an extra moment with the towel.
• Change into clean underwear after a workout, and wash gym kit after each wear.
• Reduce friction on the spots that always rub. Dermatologists suggest a little powder or petroleum jelly on problem areas.
• Stop when it starts to sting. The American Academy of Dermatology advises stopping your activity if you feel pain or discomfort, or if your skin turns red.

How to stop chafing on a long run, ride or hike

Plan for it before you set off. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests paying attention to your skin and taking precautions when you know you'll be doing a lot of walking, running or other physical activity:

• Prepare the spots that always rub with a little powder or petroleum jelly before you start, rather than after they sting.
• For inner thighs that rub, dermatologists suggest adhesive moleskin or other soft bandages, applied securely.
• If a piece of kit rubs, place clean, soft padding between the equipment and your skin.
• Try new shorts or underwear on a short outing first, so a seam that rubs shows up early.
• Pack a dry change of underwear, and get out of wet kit as soon as you stop.
• Check your skin when you stop. If it's red or sore, rest it before you go again.

There's more on washing and drying in what is men's intimate skin care?, and on sweat in sweaty balls: how men can stay fresh below the belt.

How do you look after chafed skin in the groin?

Take away whatever is rubbing and let the skin rest.

• Give it a break from the run, ride or walk that caused it until the skin has settled.
• Clean it gently with warm water, then pat it completely dry.
• Skip anything perfumed on the area while it's sore. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that products such as perfumed soaps and wet wipes can cause a reaction in anyone.
• A thin layer of petroleum jelly can cut down friction while the skin settles.
• Wear loose underwear and trousers so nothing presses on the sore patch.
• Leave any blisters alone. Dermatologists advise against popping them, as this can lead to infection; cover a blister loosely instead.

Leave-on products, including ours, are for clean, unbroken skin only, so wait until chafed skin has fully healed before using any.

Sore bum crack? How to stop chafing between the buttocks

Bum chafing works like chafing between the legs: the crease between your buttocks is a warm fold where skin rubs on skin and sweat can't dry off. DermNet names it as one of the places a skin-fold rash (intertrigo) can appear. To make it less likely:

• Wash with water only or an unscented soap, then pat dry rather than rubbing, as the NHS advises for an itchy bottom.
• Wear loose-fitting cotton underwear, and moisture-wicking kit for exercise.
• Shower soon after a workout and put on clean underwear.
• Keep perfumes and powders away from your anus, as the NHS advises.

See a pharmacist if the soreness doesn't settle in a few days, or a GP if it keeps coming back. A small lump at the top of the crack that's painful, bleeding or leaking pus needs an urgent GP appointment or NHS 111: that's the NHS advice for a pilonidal sinus, a small hole or tunnel there.

Is it chafing, intertrigo or jock itch?

Chafing, intertrigo and jock itch can all make the groin red, itchy and sore, but they have different causes, so each needs slightly different care.

Chafing, intertrigo or jock itch?

	What it is.	What it looks like.	What usually helps.
Chafing	Irritation from skin rubbing against skin or clothing	Redness, bumps, itching or burning where it rubs	Stop the rubbing, keep the area clean and dry, give the skin a rest
Intertrigo	Inflammation in a skin fold, like the groin crease, from skin rubbing on skin with trapped moisture	Red, sore skin in the crease that can turn moist, cracked or peeling	Keep the crease clean and dry, light loose clothing; a pharmacist if it doesn't settle
Jock itch	A common fungal infection (a type of ringworm) in the groin	A rash, often ring-shaped, red or darker than the skin around it, that may be scaly, dry, swollen or itchy	See a pharmacist, who can look at the rash and recommend what to use

Skin that is painful, hot and swollen, pus, or feeling unwell can be signs of infection: see a GP, or get help from NHS 111.

Intertrigo is a rash in a skin fold caused by skin rubbing on skin, helped along by trapped moisture. The Primary Care Dermatology Society lists the groin as one of the most common places for it, and says the damaged, moist skin is easily infected by fungi or bacteria. DermNet adds that a bacterial infection can give the area a bad smell.

Jock itch is the name for ringworm in the groin: a common fungal infection, not a worm. The NHS describes the rash as usually ring-shaped, red or darker than the skin around it, and scaly, dry, swollen or itchy. The American Academy of Dermatology says the fungus thrives on warm, moist skin covered by tight clothing, which is why it's common in athletes. It can be passed on through towels and bedsheets, so don't share them.

If the soreness started after shaving rather than after exercise, it may be razor burn: see razor burn, bumps and rash after manscaping, and our manscaping guide for men for grooming with less irritation.

When should you see a pharmacist or GP about groin chafing?

Speak to a pharmacist if the redness, itching or soreness doesn't settle within a few days. They can also look at a rash you think might be jock itch, and tell you if you should see a GP.

See a GP if:

• a rash keeps growing or spreading, or doesn't improve after following a pharmacist's advice
• the skin keeps cracking, weeping or coming back however careful you are
• you have blisters, sores, lumps or a discharge that weren't caused by rubbing (a GP or an NHS GUM clinic can check these; GUM clinics are free, confidential clinics for genital health, and you don't usually need a GP referral)

Ask for an urgent GP appointment, or get help from NHS 111, if the skin becomes painful, hot and swollen, if you notice pus, or if you feel unwell or feverish. These can be signs of a skin infection, which can be serious if it isn't seen to quickly.