Everybody experiences chafing at some time in their lives, and for many men, that includes penis chafing. It’s uncomfortable but at least as penis health issues are concerned it is relatively minor. Still, because it is annoying and in some cases may preclude some sexual involvement, it pays to practice prevention strategies to keep penis chafing from occurring in the first place.

What is penis chafing?

Simply put, chafing refers to any rawness, pain or irritation of the skin caused by friction. In the case of penis chafing, there can be several causes. Pinpointing the cause can help to develop prevention strategies.

Causes

One of the most common causes of penis chafing is delicate penis skin rubbing against a rough (or relatively rough) piece of fabric. This happens more often with men who go commando – that is, who wear trousers without underwear. This is only common sense, as underwear is designed to be worn directly against the penis and so is typically made of materials that take into account the delicate nature of penis skin. Blue jeans, linen trousers and woolen pants do not do this – so one way to avoid penis chafing is by always wearing underwear with trousers.

Sometimes, however, a guy can wear underwear and still experience penis chafing due to his trousers – but in this instance it is because his underwear or his trousers (or both) is too tight. Without adequate room, any piece of clothing can feel constricting and can create excess friction. So try to find a balance between clothes which do show off one’s form and package and those which are so tight as to cause chafing.

Lack of lubrication is another major cause of penis chafing. Sex is all about friction, as it takes a certain degree of friction to stimulate the tender nerve endings on the penis and to build upon arousal to orgasm. But sometimes the penis experiences too much friction, especially when there is not sufficient lubrication involved. For that reason, whether masturbating or engaging in partner sex, it is a good idea for a man to keep plenty of lubricant on hand – and on his penis.

More causes

To fight odor, it’s a good idea to air out the penis and one of the easiest ways to accomplish this is to sleep naked. However, sometimes this can lead to penis chafing, if the bed sheets or linens are too rough against the penis skin. Finding softer, less irritating sheets can enable a man to air out his penis without the risk of chafing.

It’s clear that materials, whether in clothing or bedding, can play a big role in penis chafing. But it’s not always due to a roughness in the material; sometimes the responsible party is the detergent one uses to clean them. Detergents with harsh chemicals or fragrances can pass those qualities onto clothing and bedding, which in turn can irritate the penis and lead to chafing. Using only mild and gentle detergents and cleansers is an excellent way to combat this problem.

Finally, sometimes friction develops from skin rubbing against skin – which can be an ongoing problem for people who are obese. For example, a stomach that hangs low may rub against the penis, as might thighs that are too fleshly. Getting down to a healthier weight can help to address this problem or prevent it from occurring.

All these penis chafing prevention tips come down to one thing: keeping the penis skin protected and well moisturized. One excellent aid in this is the daily application of a superior penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) regularly. When selecting a crème, examine the ingredients carefully. Look for one which contains both a high end emollient (shea butter is one) and a natural hydrator (such as vitamin E). Together, these can help ensure proper penile skin moisturization. The crème should also include a potent antioxidant, such as alpha lipoic acid, to help prevent oxidative damage to the skin.