After a run, after a long day on a building site or simply after a hot day in jeans: it burns between your legs, your inner thighs are red, and every step reminds you of it. Chafing between the legs is very common in men, even if hardly anyone talks about it. The good news: in most cases you can prevent it well with the right underwear, dry skin and a protective film. Here you'll find out where the chafing comes from, what helps and which signs point more towards a fungal infection that should be checked by a doctor.
In short
Men get chafed between the legs because their thighs rub together with every step and sweat softens the skin. On top of that come boxer shorts that ride up and thick trouser seams. To prevent it: snug-fitting underwear with a longer leg, technical fabrics for sport and, beforehand, an anti-chafing stick on your inner thighs and in your crotch. If it itches badly, the edge is scaly or the redness spreads, have it looked at by a doctor.
In this article
01
Why men get chafed between the legs
Chafing happens when something rubs against the same spot again and again: skin on skin or fabric on skin. In men, several factors come together:
- Your thighs touch. This doesn't only affect men carrying a few extra kilos. Footballers, cyclists and anyone with muscular legs know the problem too.
- Sweat and warmth. It's warm between your legs and little air gets in. Damp skin softens and becomes more sensitive to friction. Salt from dried sweat can add to the rubbing.
- Your underwear slips. Loose boxer shorts ride up as you walk and let your thighs rub directly against each other. Short briefs end exactly where the chafing happens, and their edge rubs too.
- Thick seams. The inside seam of jeans or work trousers sits right between your legs.
- Wet cotton. Cotton soaks up sweat, but then stays wet for a long time and rubs against the skin.
- Lots of movement. Running, hiking, cycling, a day at a festival or out in town: thousands of steps mean thousands of times the friction.
- Freshly shaved or trimmed hair. Afterwards the skin is often more sensitive, and regrowing stubble can rub.
02
Where it rubs and what helps in each case
It's not only your thighs that are affected. Here's how to find out what helps where:
Inner thighs
Causeskin rubbing on skin, underwear riding up, sweat
What helpsunderwear with a longer leg, apply the stick beforehand, keep your skin dry
Where the thigh meets the groin
Causewarm, moist skin fold, tight seams
What helpsapply the stick beforehand, keep your skin dry, breathable underwear, see a doctor if there's itching and a scaly edge
Bottom and seat area
Causelong hours in the saddle, trouser seams
What helpspadded cycling shorts without underwear
Nipples when running
Causeyour shirt rubs with every step
What helpstechnical shirt, stick before your run
Armpits
Causeyour arms swing against your shirt when running
What helpsstick before training, shirt with flat seams
Feet
Causeshoe and sock rub on heel and toes
What helpswell-fitting socks, stick on pressure points, only on intact skin and not on blisters
03
Which underwear helps against chafing?
Your underwear plays a part in whether you chafe. For chafed thighs, snug-fitting styles with a longer leg are the most sensible choice, often sold as boxer briefs, trunks or long boxers. They sit like a second skin between your thighs and stop skin rubbing directly on skin. What matters is that they don't ride up when you walk.
| Situation | What helps |
|---|---|
| Everyday and office | Snug-fitting underwear with a longer leg in a soft, breathable material, flat seams |
| Heat and lots of sweat | Technical fabric or blends that wick sweat away and dry faster than pure cotton |
| Running and hiking | Running tights, compression shorts or running shorts with a built-in liner |
| Cycling | Padded cycling shorts with no underwear underneath, so there are no extra seams to rub |
| Work and long days | Trousers with enough room to move in the crotch, snug-fitting underwear underneath and a spare pair of underwear with you |
Loose cotton boxer shorts are comfortable, but not ideal in the heat or when you're on the move, because they ride up and soak up sweat. It's best to wear new running shorts on a short run first before you take them on a long one.
04
6 tips against chafed thighs
01Apply an anti-chafing stick beforehand
An anti-chafing stick leaves an invisible protective film on the skin, so your thighs and fabric glide over each other instead of rubbing. Apply it to clean, dry skin wherever there's rubbing: to your inner thighs, your crotch and groin, or your feet. Do this in the morning before getting dressed or before training. On long, hot days, reapply as needed. The stick doesn't belong on mucous membranes or open skin. If your skin reacts, stop using it.
For sport and exercise
SUMMERSAVER Sport
Protects your skin from chafing during sport. Fresh scent of mint and bergamot, for women and men.
02Keep your skin dry
After showering, dry your inner thighs and groin creases thoroughly. On hot days or at work, it helps to pat your skin dry every now and then.
03Get out of wet clothes quickly after sport
Sweaty clothes rub twice as much. After training or a long day, change into dry clothes as soon as you can, shower and dry yourself off well.
04Pay attention to seams and fit
Trousers that are too tight in the crotch press the seam right onto the sensitive spot. A little more room in the crotch and flat seams make a big difference.
05Don't shave right before heat or sport
Freshly shaved skin is more sensitive. If you shave or trim your thighs, it's better to do it the evening before rather than right before your run. For sensitive skin, there's the fragrance-free SUMMERSAVER Sensitive.
06Always have the stick with you
Thanks to the stick format, your fingers don't come into contact with your skin when you apply it, and it fits into any gym bag, backpack or jacket pocket. Don't leave it in the car on hot days, so the balm doesn't go soft.
Depending on your skin and how you use it, SUMMERSAVER comes in several versions:
For sport and everyday lifeSUMMERSAVER SportFresh scent of mint and bergamot, for women and men.
For several placesSUMMERSAVER Sport 3-packThree sticks: for your gym bag, bathroom and office.
No added fragranceSUMMERSAVER SensitiveFragrance-free, for sensitive skin, including after shaving.
With peach scentSUMMERSAVER WomanCreamy balm with peach scent, for anyone who likes it softer.05
Already chafed? How to care for your skin
If your skin is already red and burning, what it needs most is a break from further friction:
- 01Cleanse gently. Rinse with lukewarm water without rubbing, and carefully pat dry.
- 02Let the air get to it. Wear loose clothing at home so the area can dry.
- 03Avoid further friction. If possible, take a break from sport or switch to a different one until your skin has calmed down.
- 04Care for it. A mild barrier cream from the pharmacy can care for irritated skin. Ask the pharmacist for advice.
Only apply the anti-chafing stick to intact skin. Reddened skin is fine; open, weeping or bleeding skin is not. You'll find detailed tips for the first few days in our guide Chafed Thighs: What to Do? First Aid & Care.
06
Chafing or jock itch? When to see a doctor
Not every red patch between your legs comes from chafing. In men, a fungal infection of the groin, known as jock itch (tinea cruris), is much more common than in women. The rash usually starts in the groin crease and can spread to the inner thighs. A typical sign is an itchy, reddish area with a scaly edge. The fungus is often transferred to the groin from athlete's foot. Chafing, on the other hand, appears exactly where there's rubbing and usually calms down within a few days once the friction stops.
Have the area looked at by a doctor if
- it itches or burns badly or doesn't get better after a few days,
- the redness has a scaly edge or is spreading,
- the skin weeps, cracks, forms crusts, pustules or pus-filled blisters, or smells unpleasant,
- the area becomes warm, swells or keeps coming back,
- you develop a fever,
- you have diabetes or a weakened immune system.
Please have any problems affecting your penis, scrotum or intimate area checked by a doctor, for example a dermatologist or a urologist.
If you suspect a fungal or skin infection, don't use the stick on that area until a doctor has looked at it. And if you have athlete's foot, have it treated as well, and dry between your legs first and only then your feet.
07 · FAQ
Frequently asked questions about chafing in men
Why are my inner thighs chafed even though I'm slim?+
Chafing affects men of every build. Muscular legs alone can be enough, as can lots of sweat, underwear that slips or a thick trouser seam. Runners and cyclists are often affected.
Which underwear helps against chafing?+
Ideally, snug-fitting underwear with a longer leg in a breathable material that doesn't ride up when you walk. For sport, compression shorts or running shorts with a liner are a good idea; for cycling, padded cycling shorts without underwear.
Does Vaseline, udder balm or powder help?+
Vaseline and udder balm can reduce friction, but they're greasy and can leave stains on your clothes. Powder keeps the skin dry for a while, but with lots of sweat it can clump and then rub itself. An anti-chafing stick can be applied exactly where you need it, without using your fingers.
As a man, can I use SUMMERSAVER Woman too?+
Yes, the name isn't a rule. Woman and Sport differ mainly in scent and texture: Woman is a creamy balm with peach scent, Sport a slightly firmer balm with mint and bergamot. If you prefer something fresher, the Sport stick is the one for you. Our comparison of all SUMMERSAVER sticks shows you which stick suits you.
Can I use the stick in my crotch too?+
Yes. You can apply it wherever there's rubbing: to your inner thighs, your crotch and groin, or your feet. It just doesn't belong on mucous membranes or on open, weeping or bleeding skin.
What should I do if my groin or scrotum is chafed?+
Keep the area clean and dry, wear airy, snug-fitting underwear made of breathable material and avoid further friction. If the skin is only red and still intact, the anti-chafing stick protects it from further friction. It doesn't belong on open or weeping skin. If it itches or burns, the skin is flaking or it doesn't get better after a few days, have it checked by a doctor.
How long does it take for chafed thighs to get better?+
Mild redness usually calms down within a few days once the friction stops and the skin stays dry. If it doesn't improve or gets worse, have the area looked at by a doctor.
Read more
