Chafing

Stanmeister

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I have had some kind of chafing in the groin area (right under the balls, where the legs meet) ever since the middle of the summer. I got a case of jock itch at one point. The doctor prescribed something that eliminated that, but the chafing continues. And it seems to really get worse when I wear underwear, especially any with spandex in it. I also have the sense that the chafing may get worse after I swim. I wear jammer swim suits. Could I have an allergy to spandex? All of this began when I was spending a lot of time in bike shorts during the summer.
 
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nicnic

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Gold Bond can be pretty aggressive if you're already hurting down there. Any body powder should help, but "medicated" might not be where you want to start.
 
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I have had some kind of chafing in the groin area (right under the balls, where the legs meet) ever since the middle of the summer. I got a case of jock itch at one point. The doctor prescribed something that eliminated that, but the chafing continues. And it seems to really get worse when I wear underwear, especially any with spandex in it. I also have the sense that the chafing may get worse after I swim. I wear jammer swim suits. Could I have an allergy to spandex? All of this began when I was spending a lot of time in bike shorts during the summer.

I use gold bond. Probably should most days.

Sounds like your chronic chafing has not had a chance to fully "heal'. It may look on the surface to the naked eye that your problem area has recovered, and you went back to your fitness routine before it really was cured. Or you never stopped. Something as simple as the chlorine from all your time in the pool could be the culprit that keeps it from fully healing.

Since it seems to be persistent, you might want to get a culture done of that area to see if perhaps it's something other than jock itch and would need different treatment. You might want to see if you can be tested for allergies to certain fibers, like spandex. Meanwhile, can you change out your spandex for something cotton-based? If your chronic problem goes away, voila.

You might want to discuss with your doctor (dermatologist would probably be in order) what product you are using right now to address your chafing. It could also be that it's reducing the symptoms but not eliminating the underlying issue.

Regarding the gold bond powder, I'd switch to Cornstarch-based powder. My chronic chafing/jock itchiness went away about 10 days after I switched. I still do use a jock itch spray a couple of times a week; that seems to help keep my issues in check.

Hope this helps. Keep us posted.
 

Stanmeister

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Sounds like your chronic chafing has not had a chance to fully "heal'. It may look on the surface to the naked eye that your problem area has recovered, and you went back to your fitness routine before it really was cured. Or you never stopped. Something as simple as the chlorine from all your time in the pool could be the culprit that keeps it from fully healing.

Since it seems to be persistent, you might want to get a culture done of that area to see if perhaps it's something other than jock itch and would need different treatment. You might want to see if you can be tested for allergies to certain fibers, like spandex. Meanwhile, can you change out your spandex for something cotton-based? If your chronic problem goes away, voila.

You might want to discuss with your doctor (dermatologist would probably be in order) what product you are using right now to address your chafing. It could also be that it's reducing the symptoms but not eliminating the underlying issue.

Regarding the gold bond powder, I'd switch to Cornstarch-based powder. My chronic chafing/jock itchiness went away about 10 days after I switched. I still do use a jock itch spray a couple of times a week; that seems to help keep my issues in check.

Hope this helps. Keep us posted.
these are good thoughts. You may be right that it never fully recovered.
 
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HOU_HEADHUNTER

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You may not have let the jock itch heal all the way. I had it once and the Lotrimin AF Power Spray cleared me up within a day or two. You also need to make sure you are not wearing materials that are holding moisture because jock itch is fungal and it feeds off of the bacteria in your sweat.
 

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I had a similar issue - play tennis frequently and over the really hot summer I actually had a hair on my upper upper leg get knotted with a hair near my ass so it pulled in both directions and drove me crazy til I figured it out. It felt like a chafing issue. Now I keep it all shaved - no more issues.
 

Stanmeister

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It's interesting that you bring this up. I have felt that some of the hairs there are part of the problem. I have trimmed some of them. No way would I shave them, though.