Chafing happens when there is skin-to-skin rubbing or friction between your skin and your clothes. When wearing a bathing suit, your delicate bikini area and inner upper thighs can get irritated. You experience a painful burning and stinging sensation that can escalate and become a bleeding open wound. If you know that you will be wearing a bathing suit, there are various preventative actions you can take beforehand to avoid chafing.
Wear a bathing suit that fits well. A tight-fitting suit digs into your skin and is more prone to cause friction and chafing. Choose a swimsuit that stays in place on your body but is not too loose or too tight.
Apply an over-the-counter chafing prevention product. When applied to your skin, these products form a barrier that protects you from skin-to-skin and skin-to-fabric chafing.
Make your own chafing prevention product. Mix 1 cup petroleum jelly with 1 cup A&D ointment. Add 1/4 cup vitamin E and 1/4 cup aloe vera cream. Blend the ingredients until a stiff consistency is reached. Apply the cream to your skin in the areas prone to chafing. This mixture can also be used to help heal chafed skin.
Keep your bathing suit clean and dry. Dirt, debris and dried sweat increase the possibility of friction between your bathing suit and skin.
Drink water to hydrate yourself so you can sweat freely. Avoid sweat from sitting on your skin and forming salt crystals because this makes chafing more likely.