Taking steps to prevent chafing can help make your runs much more comfortable and pain-free. Try some of these products to help prevent and treat chafing caused by running.
BodyGlide
Photo by Christine Luff
BodyGlide is a lubricant that's designed to prevent blisters and/or chafing in vulnerable areas, such as your feet, inner thighs, sports bra lines and underarms. It comes in a stick and is applied like a deodorant, leaving no sticky, oily or powdery mess. To avoid chafing, I never do a long run or race before applying some BodyGlide.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment
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Aquaphor is a great alternative to BodyGlide, and unlike BodyGlide, it's available in most drugstores. You can also use it to prevent chapped hands and other body parts. I've gotten some travel-size tubes of Aquaphor in race goodie bags, and they're convenient and small enough to carry in your running pack or hydration carrier, so you can reapply on the run.
Hydropel Sports Ointment
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Hydropel Sports Ointment protects the parts of your skin that are prone to chafing and blisters. This maximum strength skin protectant is great to use on your feet, underarms, chest and thighs. The ointment also doubles as a natural barrier to harmful irritants including poisonous plants and chemicals.
Vaseline Petroleum Jelly
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Petroleum jelly is another great chafing prevention product, although it can be a bit messier and stickier than Body Glide. It's also useful to prevent wind burn and chapping on your face when running in the winter. You can often find petroleum jelly at the medical stations of major road races, such as marathons, so that you can reapply in the middle of a race.
NipGuards
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Although they probably don't want to admit it, most male runners have suffered from painful nipple chafing or bleeding at some point. Preventing that problem is as simple as adhering NipGuards to his nipples before runs, especially long runs.
BlisterShield Roll-On
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The BlisterShield Roll-On eliminates or greatly reduces the friction that causes painful blisters and chafing. This silicone-based product is non-greasy and can be applied daily before running. It won't rub off during your runs, but is easily removed with a little soap and water.
A + D Ointment
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If you're already dealing with some painful chafed body parts, A + D ointment, which is most commonly used to prevent diaper rash, is an excellent treatment. Just apply some A + D ointment to your chafed areas -- it should clear up in about a day.
