There are so many questions when it comes to chub rub. Luckily, this is a topic we’re experts in! Here are the answers to the common chub rub questions, so you can make that dreaded inner thigh chafing a worry of the past.

What is chub rub?

Chub Rub is a slang word for thigh chafing – that uncomfortable sensation that comes from when your thighs painfully rub together. Thigh chafing is not caused by being “chubby” –  while it typically affects people with thighs that naturally touch, all kinds of people may experience chub rub. Thigh chafing can happen to men and women of all shapes and sizes. It’s even common for athletes in peak physical shape to suffer from chub rub.

What causes chub rub?

Chub rub, or thigh chafing, occurs when your thighs rub against each other causing friction.  You’ll increase your risk for thigh chafing when you sweat, exercise, walk or run, or even just from everyday activities that cause your thighs to frequently rub against each other.

Why does chub rub hurt?

Friction from constantly-touching inner thighs can lead to a burning red rash. This rash quickly becomes painful because you’re inflamed skin continues to rub against your other thigh. Left untreated, chub rub can become increasingly painful as chafed skin continues to rub, causing abrasions, blisters, or even bleeding in the worst of cases.

How do you treat severe chub rub?

There are several ways to treat severe chub rub but not all DIY chafing treatments are a good idea…

You can soothe chafed skin with antibacterial creams, commercial chafing creams or balms, such as Body Glide, or a zinc oxide ointment. Be sure to avoid general moisturizing creams and lotions with fragrance as these may irritate the chafed area further.

Natural or medicated products are preferable. Before applying any creams or treatments, you should wash the affected area carefully with fragrance-free soap. Then dry your thighs thoroughly before applying a chub rub cream.

While creams can be effective, they will need to be reapplied. So you need to consider whether taking a break from your activity to treat your thighs is feasible. If not, you could put yourself in an… uncomfortable spot.

If you want to get back to normal as quickly as possible, you may want to try to keep your thighs separated with our unisex anti-chafing bands or anti-chafing shorts. These products will prevent further rubbing while the skin heals.

If the chafing is severe, you may need to cover your inner thighs with gauze and keep your legs separated. If the skin is broken or shows signs of infection – such as an odd smell, oozing, swelling, bleeding, or crusting – then you should seek medical treatment.

Does deodorant help with chub rub?

Deodorant is often touted as an anti-chafing treatment, and sure, antiperspirant deodorant can help with chub rub. Applying deodorant between the thighs is supposed to help ease friction, especially while walking or running.

There is some logic to this since the antiperspirant in deodorant can help keep sweat to a minimum. But sweat is just one cause of chafing, so while deodorant can help, it will not prevent rubbing altogether. And just like creams, you’ll need to reapply deodorant every so often for it to have a chance at working.

It is inadvisable to apply deodorant to thighs that are already chafed, as the skin can become increasingly irritated from the fragrance or chemicals.

Is Vaseline good for chub rub?

A lubricant jelly like Vaseline can help prevent thigh chafing. But it comes with some caveats.

First, it can be messy. In order to act as a lubricating protective layer to your thighs, you’ll need to use a good amount. And that means it can get on your clothing

Also, you’re probably going to feel it there. This might not bother everyone, but the gooey sticky feeling might not be ideal.

We recommend saving lubricants for occasional chafing prevention in a pinch, not as your everyday go-to.

We hope this guide has covered everything you ever needed to know about inner thigh chafing – and more! But if you didn’t find the information you were looking for, check out our Ultimate Guide To Thigh Chafing!