Chafe is a highly uncomfortable issue that has a habit of striking at the worst possible time. Going travelling is an exciting adventure, but there’s no doubt that it can also be a physically demanding undertaking if you were planning on exploring the different countries on foot. When you’re in the midst of a Moroccan bazaar or exploring the cultural heritage sites of Italy, the last thing you want to be dealing with is painful chafing. With just a few handy tips, however, chafe can be a thing of the past while you’re busy focusing on your backpacking adventures.

Wear the right clothing

If you’ve decided to go backpacking around the world, then you’re probably travelling light out of necessity. You’ll be doing a fair share of walking around if you’re travelling on a budget, so it’s always a good idea to ensure you pack the right gear to prevent thigh chafing. Choose clothing that is well fitted and has few if any seams. Opt for a material that is quick-drying and moisture-wicking in order to avoid the painful chafing that is common when travelling.

Stay hydrated

When you’re busy walking around a new city or taking in the countryside of a new and exciting community, it’s easy to become dehydrated. Dehydration can lead to a higher than usual concentration of salt on your skin. This concentration of salt can lead to your skin becoming irritated and friction and chafe developing. Avoid this by ensuring that you stay suitably hydrated as you go about your travels. Be sure to increase the amount of water you’re drinking to account for all the exercise you’ll be doing to help prevent that painful chafing.

Bring a change of clothes to the beach

There’s nothing that screams holiday more than lounging around on a beautiful beach and swimming in crystal clear waters. It’s not always picture-perfect though. Wet or damp clothing is known to be a leading cause of painful inner thigh chafing. Avoid this by planning ahead and taking a spare change of clothing with you when you do decide to head out for a beach day. You’ll be able to avoid a lot of pain by simply changing into dry clothes after you’ve finished up at the beach.

Secure your pack properly

If you’ve been wearing your pack for an extended length of time, you’ll probably be familiar with the painful chafing that can occur. The constant bouncing and shifting of a heavy backpack can cause painful irritation on your shoulders, around your waist and under your arms. Prevent this by ensuring that your backpack is securely fastened around your waist to prevent bouncing and the straps have been tightened to fit your shoulders correctly.

The best way to handle painful chafing is to prevent it before it happens. Taking actions such as increasing your water intake and wearing the correct clothing can do you a world of wonder when it comes to irritated skin. A few small steps now can mean that you get to focus on enjoying your backpacking trip around the world instead of being consumed by how irritated your chafe is.