I felt the burning sensation under my arm just as I crossed the finish line during the San Miguel Bay Run. I stripped the Ipod strap from my arm and saw this:
I got chafed.
I always use my Ipod strap and this never happened before so I thought there must be something abrasive about my singlet. It could have been both. But it was so, so painful, I had to keep my arm away from my sides for two days.
Kernan used to complain about this a lot. He would get chafed under his arm (just like I did), on his chest and on his inner thighs. It was only when he used the anti – chafe cream BodyGlide and invested in a pair of dri-fit wear did he get rid of the chafing completely.
Chafing prevention
Chafing happens when your skin rubs repeatedly against loose clothing (like a singlet) or against your own skin.
It’s so painful and I want to be sure it never happens again. Here are some prevention tips I picked up from the Runners page on About.com:
Wear comfortable but fitted clothing made of synthetic materials. For women, wear a sports bra with smooth seams. It doesn’t have to be expensive dri – fit clothes. I saw some generic dri-fit outfits at SM that cost below P500. I actually wear cheap cycling shorts and sleeveless tops that I bought for 100 a piece. But if you’ve got the money to invest, then go for the branded ones. I’m actually saving up for my first pair of dri – fits.
Wipe anti-chafe cream or lotion on areas that are chafe – prone. For women: that’s under the arms and the bra line. For men: that’s on the nipples, under the arms and the inner thighs. Hubby and I use BodyGlide which he bought from Runnr for P495. A low – cost alternative would be to put lotion on these areas to make the skin “slide” and to minimize the rubbing.
Stay hydrated. Perspiration also acts like a lubricant to prevent your skin from rubbing.
Chafing treatment
The day after I got chafed, my skin started to dry but I didn’t put anything on it thinking it would easily heal. Big mistake. When it rubbed on my office clothes, the spot became even more raw and more painful than before.
I tried using BodyGlide to help heal it and the chafed skin dried up at the end of the day.
Of course, if your chafing has reached the point when you’re extremely raw and bleeding, better have it treated and give running a rest.
Chafing is nasty, painful and especially inconvenient when you’re dressing up or taking a bath. So better prevent than treat it.
Got other tips? Do share them below.
Happy chafe – free running! 
I’m Jayme, a runner’s wife and a running mom to two girls aged three and two.
