It's not something many walkers, naturalists, birders or general outdoors type folk speak about but I think it is time to be a little more open (be like the cyclists out there - you'll understand when you read on).
Today I am going to talk a little about - Chaffing, the soreness you sometimes get where areas of skin rub - Now I'm a little overweight I can admit that (a couple of stone) and I sweat quite a bit (always have even when I was at my skinniest), it is part of my make up. I also love to walk.
Sweat combine with walking (running, cycling other exercise), pretty often, will lead to chaffing (soreness caused by skin rubbing on skin or clothes - it's to do with the salts and abrasion I think), sometimes this occurs in what might be described as rather intimate areas (I'm not going into more detail)!!! But it is always painful.
So what can we do about it? Well read on and you might just find out a little.
(don't worry there are no pictures!)
Udderly Smooth Chamois Cream - Review
After suffering in silence for many years, I decided to bite the bullet and do a little research into what to do about chaffing, well, the obvious answers for many was keep clean, change underwear often and remove wet clothing as soon as possible.
And then I read a cycling forum (sorry no idea which, but I told you the cycling comment would make sense, they were pretty much the only group talking about chaffing) and they were recommending a chamois cream, the idea being it provides a barrier between the bike seat and skin. In principle the same should (and does) apply to those of us off bikes like the walkers and runners of this world.
And so it was that I decided to look into this miracle cream, try to see what was available, and let me tell you there are lots out there, some of them are ridiculously expensive, others cheap (usually with poor review numbers on Amazon) but the one that came up trumps (and wasn't too expensive) more often than not was Udderly smooth chamois cream.
What the heck I thought let's give it a go.
Udderly Smooth Chamois Cream
Here's what it says on their website about their chamois cream (you can take a look yourself here Udderly Smooth chamois cream):
- Helps prevent chaffing for cyclists, runners and for those who suffer from this uncomfortable condition.
- Anti-chaffing cream containing Shea Butter.
- Thicker in texture.
- Greaseless feel when applied to the skin.
- Pearlescent in colour with light scent.
- Works well for a longer time without re-application Increase comfort on long ride.
- Made in the USA Great barrier cream for both Summer and Winter as it acts as a barrier preventing sweat and rain damaging the skin.
My Thoughts
I bought a large pot of the Udderly Smooth chamois cream, as it worked out cheaper, and went about testing it out (actually I have some other Udderly Smooth products at home - Moisturising cream I won a few years ago)
Firstly when it says greaseless on the website it is quite true, with a normal moisturiser after use my hands feel sticky or slimy (I hate that feeling!!), with the Udderly Smooth Chamois Cream after a few moments they are dry and back to normal (I am very happy about that).
The smell is not unpleasant, but is quite distinctive, I could pick it out anywhere; and there has been no staining to (ahem) clothing of various sorts.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah but does it work?"
One word - Yes! Yes it does. It works brilliantly (OK way more than one word there).
Not only does it prevent chaffing if put on before your walk/run etc. in which case it does exactly what you'd want. But also if, like I often do, you forget to put it on and end up with chaffing if you put it on then it stops things getting worse and actually makes walking a lot less painful.
I don't often reapply, as I haven't found much need to, one application usually does me for a walk of a few hours (although if I am walking again later I will reapply).
Conclusion
It's not often something comes along that can seriously change your life, but this has for me. My walks are now more, pleasant more often, I don't suffer silently with a pain that is like no other, and well I find I get out walking much more often, as even when there is soreness I can use this and carry on.
If you suffer from chaffing then I'd advise giving Udderly Smooth Chamois Cream a shot!
Buy at Amazon.co.uk
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