Summarize the following:
Wear cotton and natural fibers throughout the day. Your underwear should be 100% cotton. When you exercise, wear a synthetic material (like nylon or polyester) that wicks away moisture and dries quickly. Your clothing should always feel comfortable. Try not to wear materials that are coarse, scratchy, or trap moisture (like wool or leather). The clothing around your legs should be loose enough to let your skin stay dry and breathe. Your clothing shouldn't feel tight or pinch your skin. Clothing that is too tight will rub against your skin, causing chafing. Most rashes between the legs are caused by chafing or an overgrowth of yeast. Uncontrolled or high blood glucose (sugar) in a Type 2 Diabetic can also cause an overgrowth of yeast. Chafing normally happens along the inner thighs (panty crease line is usually the starting point and then the rash spreads out across the thigh), the groin, the underarms, under the breasts and under the belly or in between rolls of skin. Sometimes it can also occur at or around the nipples (especially for breastfeeding or lactating women, if this occurs please have a Dr. also check your baby's mouth for thrush aka a yeast infection!) If chafing isn't treated, it can become inflamed and infected. Always keep moisture off of your skin, especially after you've taken a bath or shower. Take a clean cotton towel and gently dab at your skin. Rubbing could irritate the rash. You could also use a hair dryer on the lowest setting to completely dry the rash area. Avoid using high heat which can aggravate the rash. It's important to keep the area dry and free of sweat. This is because sweat is high in minerals that can make your skin rash even worse. Most rashes caused by chafing can be treated at home without medical intervention. But, if your rash doesn't improve within 4 to 5 days or gets worse, call your doctor for an appointment. This is especially important if you suspect your rash is infected (if you have fever, pain, swelling, or pus around the rash). Removing friction from the rash, keeping it clean, and lubricating the area should give you some relief within a day or two. If you're not starting to feel better by this time, talk with your doctor. Your doctor will do a physical examination to see if your rash shows lesions. If your doctor thinks you have a bacterial infection, your doctor will probably order a culture. This test will tell your doctor what strain of bacteria or fungus is causing your infection and what treatment is needed. Your doctor may prescribe one or more of the following: Topical antifungals (if caused by yeast) Oral antifungals (if the topical antifungals don't treat the rash) Oral antibiotics (if caused by bacteria) Topical antibiotics (if caused by bacteria) White Vinegar and Water (mixed half and half) apply with gentle dabs after carefully bathing the area. Then apply rash, jock itch, or yeast infection medicine if needed.
Choose clothing that breathes. Wear loose clothing. Keep your skin dry. Know when to see a doctor. Follow your doctor's treatment recommendation.