Panty Line Chafing

[ny biker]

I also have one spot that gets irritated no matter what I do. Since it's only one one side I figure it's due to a leg length discrepancy or something about the way that foot is angled -- my feet are not symmetrical due to surgery on the right ankle back in the '90s. But I don't feel like dealing with the trial and error of trying to address it and potentially causing other problems as a result. I do find that the right shorts make a difference, as does lots of chamois cream for longer rides. Then I use the chamois cream as a moisturizer for a few days after a long ride to help the skin heal.

I usually only ride my bike a couple of times each week. I supposed if I wanted to ride every day I'd need a better solution.

I'm curious about using Nu-skin, which I remember using once or twice on cuts or blisters when I was younger. I would worry that a band-aid would come loose and cause worse chafing.

Since last winter I've been having problems with chafed skin around the armpits. At first it only happened after bike rides and I hoped it would go away when summer arrived and I was wearing sleeveless jerseys instead of long or short sleeves. But this summer some of the sweaters and t-shirts that I wear to work have caused it, too -- large seams or scratchy fabric are a problem. I've been okay lately by using lots of Aveeno lotion twice a day but am concerned about what will happen when I have to start wearing sleeves again. Chamois cream on my skin and on the fabric under my arms helps a bit but I was thinking of trying something like large band aids or first aid tape to cover the skin. Maybe I will try Nu-skin and see if that helps.

[Crankin]

NY, I have always had issues with "itchy seams," waistbands, anything that touches more than lightly. I think it's got something to do with allergies. When I was struggling with asthma and hives in the late 80s, both my pulmonologist and allergist noticed that the hives were always around where my tights/leotard/shorts (aerobics days) were seamed. As a kid, I complained bitterly, and I remember making my mom so mad, she ripped a pair of pants off of my legs (she really was not a horrible violent mom). If certain tops touch me the wrong way on my left shoulder, I get red blotches. About 8-9 years ago, I got obsessed with merino wool. I always wore wool as a kid, but then came 23 years in the sunbelt. Merino never bothered me, but in the last 3 years, I have developed sensitivity, to the point where I had to take Claritin to wear my Ibex. It wasn't so bad last winter, but I think maybe because it was so warm, I didn't wear it as much.

[ny biker]

Yes I have all sorts of skin problems when the ideopathic-possibly-autoimmune hives flare up. Tight clothes or anything pressed against my skin, like a wrinkle in a sheet or in my pjs that I'm lying on in my sleep, can cause inflammation and itching. I think it's a form of dermatographia. And the hives have been flaring up quite a bit, last winter and again this summer after the bad allergy problems I had in June when we were in Massachusetts. So it is possible that the underarm chafing will subside as the current flare up subsides.

[katey]

Hey, why can't I post here??

[ny biker]

Thanks Aromig. I did find cortisone cream to be helpful but try not to use it too much. The thing with the hives does suck but at least it's just annoying, not life-threatening.

Hey, why can't I post here??

Well this one came through -- I think there can be a delay for posts from new members.

[gingergirl]

I get hives as well and don't know the cause but interesting to hear that others have the same issue with things touching the skin. There are days I can scratch my name lightly with my fingernail on my arm and it swells up a bit so it's readable. I take Reactine every second day to keep it under control.

[Aromig]

Yes I have all sorts of skin problems when the ideopathic-possibly-autoimmune hives flare up. Tight clothes or anything pressed against my skin, like a wrinkle in a sheet or in my pjs that I'm lying on in my sleep, can cause inflammation and itching. I think it's a form of dermatographia. And the hives have been flaring up quite a bit, last winter and again this summer after the bad allergy problems I had in June when we were in Massachusetts. So it is possible that the underarm chafing will subside as the current flare up subsides.

No solution for you NY Biker, just wanted to say "that sucks." I'm sometimes have itchy issues in my underarm area (and will spread all over if I don't get it under control) when I'm super stressed. Lotions and Benadryl usually helps. Mine only flares once every few years, I can't imagine dealing with it all summer. I'm sorry.