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Use these easy-to-use lubricants to combat friction that causes hot spots.
Nothing can kill a good runner’s orgasm faster than a bruise, whether it is the irritation caused by wet and itchy clothes, or the worse skin-to-skin friction that makes you feel like your inner thigh is trying to make a campfire . Summer running is a lot of fun, but for most of us, their price is rough and irritated skin. In colder weather, you can minimize the effects of chafing by wearing comfortable clothes that cover areas that are susceptible to friction and will not move when your body moves. But in the craze of the shorts and vest season? The best scratch protector is a layer of lubricating paste, such as Body Glide or Vaseline.
In order to help you understand the most likely cause and time of chafing, so that you can better enjoy your summer mileage, we have compiled this runner’s guide, the content is "how to prevent and treat chafing". Here, we also share some brief causes of bruises and our favorite products to combat its painful effects.
Dr. Robin Travers, a marathon runner and dermatologist at Skincare Physicians in Boston, interprets abrasion as "surface abrasion and mechanical irritation dermatitis that occurs on the skin due to prolonged friction." This friction occurs most often when the skin is in contact with the skin. Areas, such as the inner arms, thighs or buttocks, or where running gear such as clothes or water bags or heart rate monitors rub against the skin.” Although it may sound counterintuitive, water in the form of sweat and rain can make the situation worse because it changes the properties of skin cells and causes the surface to become more gelatinous because it becomes more hydrated and increases friction The degree of friction at the time of clothing or adjacent skin.
So what can you do to prevent friction caused by sweaty clothes or the scourge of summer-the terrible inner thigh "friction"? First, Travers recommends wearing clothes that fit and absorb sweat. In other words, there is nothing too loose or too tight—and there is no cotton. "The moisture-wicking fabric will guide moisture away from the skin," she said. "Cotton fibers can retain moisture and keep the skin moist, thereby increasing the coefficient of friction." Similarly, if possible, she recommends long-term replacement of socks and sweat-absorbent clothes, and the use of antiperspirants to reduce sweating (Dove solids for sensitive skin) Is her choice). She also recommends baby powder based on cornstarch to prevent toe chafing and blisters, as well as skin lubricants such as petroleum jelly and Aquaphor.
There will inevitably be some bruises during the long distance races-Traverse said that she “will never reject the Red Cross tent volunteers for the 17-mile Boston Marathon, who are distributing tongue depressors containing petroleum jelly. It is suitable for all hot spots that may have formed.” However, anti-friction sticks and balm can provide beneficial lubrication for up to an hour-if you reapply during the game, you can provide more.
Travers said that Body Glide is her anti-abrasion weapon of choice; although I also found it to be effective, it is not the only excellent product that runners can buy. Read on for our recommendations on the best anti-scratch sticks.
As a marathon runner living in Texas, I am very familiar with the many ways friction can disrupt running. And I also doubt any product that promises to free me from the pain caused by friction-I have been burned in more than one way before. In order to choose the best anti-scratch stick here, I borrowed a lot of my own experience, trying to find the best weapon against abrasions in a hot and humid environment, as well as the experience of my Runner's World colleagues and friends. I also run a social media group for crowdsourcing new products, trying to search Amazon reviews for any potential negative feedback I might have missed. This is the most effective list for me and other runners in my community.
Body Glide may be a well-known brand in the anti-chafing field, so it is easy to find in large stores and local running shops. It is fragrance-free and made of plant-based hypoallergenic ingredients that will not irritate the skin, but if the same sticks are used for a long time, they seem to become dry and hard. Before you run, slide the Body Glide to an area that is easy to rub to prevent chafing-just like its name, it can slide smoothly and stay where you need it without feeling greasy or messy. In the marathon, I put a small pocket in my hand-held water bottle bag for replenishment during the race, but it also has the size of a big stick up to 2.5 ounces. You can also find it in the "For Her" version, adding coconut oil and sweet almond oil to moisturize your skin.
The longer you run, the harder it is to avoid bruises. At a certain point in the cross-country race, the hide becomes inevitable, like taking the wrong path or squatting in a patch of poison ivy and peeing (only me?). According to my testing experience, RunGuard can fight thigh abrasions through the effectiveness of Body Glide, but it seems to last longer on my skin-this is very convenient when you are outside for more than four hours. It is made of 100% plant-based ingredients and beeswax, without adding any odors, petroleum products or other chemicals. My only question about RunGuard is that it is only 1.4 ounces in size; there is no smaller pocket size for mid-term reapplication.
Thigh Rescue is not designed for running-it is designed as part of the daily product line of Megababe founder Katie Sturino, which targets "forbidden physical problems" such as chest sweating and friction. Nevertheless, this cane is suitable for runners of all sizes with anti-friction charm, and its effect is in line with Megababe's active mission statement for the body, that is, it makes users feel more confident and comfortable. Before running in the heat of late summer in Texas, I applied some of this magical lip balm on my arms, and it kept them soft, smooth and happy for more than an hour without reapplying. Compared with other brands, this stick is a bit creamier, but it doesn't feel sticky or feels sticky or greasy. It is made from aloe vera, pomegranate seed extract, grape seed oil and other natural ingredients that will not irritate sensitive skin. There is also a "tasteless" version, although I did not detect much smell from the regular version. Look at it in one of two sizes-a 2.12 ounce deodorant stick, and a beautiful 0.81 ounce pocket size.
The team behind Chamois Butt'r has almost perfected the art of preventing saddle sores on bicycles, and now they have turned their attention to more general friction. This Go Stick makes the brand's signature cream stronger, suitable for cyclists, runners and all other athletes who are prone to abrasions. Very similar to Body Glide, this stick is odorless, preservative-free and will not stain your running clothes. I found that it is similar to Body Glide in terms of texture, effectiveness and longevity in preventing scratches, but it is thicker and less smooth when used. It is made from a mixture of animal products and chemical products, and added with shea butter to moisturize. Pack it in a 2.5-ounce deodorant stick or a 0.15-ounce pocket.
The manufacturer of KT Tape introduced this anti-scratch stick, which is more like a gel deodorant or lip balm, rather than a harder, more viscous wax. It is easy to rub on the skin that is prone to chafing and feels light and smooth; however, if you over-apply, it will feel a little sticky. The odorless product is made from a mixture of capric triglycerides and natural and chemical ingredients, and does not contain parabens or petroleum products. I found it to be roughly equivalent to Body Glide in terms of effectiveness, longevity and sweat resistance-but for those who like gel consistency, this is an ideal choice. KT Performance also makes the product into individually packaged wet wipes, which will be convenient to store in your water bag for off-road racing.
This handy stick is made of coconut oil, beeswax and a small amount of other natural ingredients. It leaves the skin feeling soft and moisturized enough to prevent rubbing on clothes or thighs. The formula is mild enough not to irritate sensitive areas, but it is still effective-when I ran 10 miles in the hot August, I had zero abrasions and no need to stop and reapply. It feels very good on my arms and I even use it outside of running to treat dry spots. Please note that some users complained about the light coconut fragrance, but I found it to be eye-catching and pleasing, but not too strong.
If in doubt, please select classic. Vaseline Body Balm Stick packs petroleum jelly and a small amount of other ingredients into a push-up stick, which is easy to apply and does not make your hands greasy. It is lighter in texture and easier to apply than ordinary petroleum jelly, but still has the same moisturizing and anti-abrasion effects. According to my testing experience, Vaseline sticks are best for rubbing dry areas of loose clothes, not necessarily for thigh abrasions during running. Nonetheless, it is still a cheap and familiar product that both prevents abrasions and helps unprocessed skin feel better as it heals.