Tips to prevent and treat sports-induced skin injuries, including chafing

When you hear sports injuries, the first thing that comes to your mind is probably muscle strains, ligament tears or fractured bones. But did you know that sports can also cause skin injuries? As the lockdown rules have now been relaxed, people are returning to sports and fitness centers with more enthusiasm than before.

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If you regularly play sports, you already know how sportswear and accessories can cause great discomfort due to constant friction with the skin. The humid weather further aggravates skin rash in skin folds where it’s moist.

Here are some tips you can use to manage and prevent sports-induced skin injuries, take a look!

Keep your skin clean and dry

As moist skin is prone to more damage, sweat-wicking fabrics are recommended for athletes so the skin stays clean and dry. Following good hygiene practices is extremely important to keep skin infections at bay. Don’t skip showers and wipe your body dry after every shower.

Change your sportswear regularly

Sportswear is bound to trap perspiration after intense physical activity. It is recommended to wash and change sportswear regularly to prevent any skin infections. Make sure to choose sportswear of good quality fabric failing which skin irritation is inevitable. It is also recommended to change sportswear according to the changing seasons so skin irritation is minimised.

Use anti-chafing creams

Chafing is quite common among athletes as the skin is prone to repetitive friction and rubbing. If not addressed early on, chafing may lead to tearing of skin and later may cause serious infections, including fungal infections that would require medical intervention. Use of barrier creams or gels is best recommended in such cases and have proven effective.

Use antifungal powders

Athletes develop fungal infections easily due to sweat. Using antifungal powders will help prevent itching and burning sensations caused by fungal growth. Excess perspiration is quite natural among athletes and an antifungal powder would help absorb perspiration and soothe irritated skin.

Visit a dermatologist if you notice signs of skin irritation

Despite taking all precautions, skin irritation may occur for reasons beyond your control. Always inspect your skin and look out for signs of infections, lesions, abrasions and cuts. Visit a dermatologist immediately if you notice any changes in skin color.

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(Inputs from Ms. Maharukh T Rustomjee, Founder and Managing Partner of AmaterasuLifesciences LLP )