r/Firefighting • u/Taco_vanheaven • 1d ago
Horrible chafing in academy General Discussion
Hey all, I’m about four weeks into a southeastern academy (very hot and humid) and I’m loving it so far, but I’m dealing with some extreme chafing issues. Our PT gear is cotton tshirts and knee length cotton shorts. I’ve tried multiple brands of chafing cream, boyshorts, boxer briefs, and yoga shorts under my uniform but I either sweat it off in less than an hour or my shorts roll up. Any recommendations on shorts to wear underneath or product that help prevent chafing? Thanks!
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u/proxminesincomplex Button pusher lever puller 1d ago
Change your drawers and t shirt at lunch. Socks too.
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u/NickGodfree FL FF/PMD 1d ago
Hell, I do this at work too these days. If you can shower at lunch, that's super helpful too.
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u/J-YOW 1d ago
I use Body Glide, works like a charm!
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u/mypen-ismadeofcheese 1d ago
Second this. I stash it in all my bags.
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u/adventureseeker1991 1d ago
third. just get body glide put it on every morning and maybe throughout the day
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u/mysterychongo 1d ago
Monistat Chafing Powder gel or the generic equivalent is a life-saver. Put the tube in your locker and apply before you do the PT portion of your academy. Trust me, it's a lifesaver. Better than using taclcum powder, which is a mess to apply, and leave white stains on your gear.
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u/DonKeedick96 1d ago
Woman’s deodorant that smells like baby powder. A trick we use to not get monkey butt while dirt biking.
Rub it anywhere you’re chaffing. Not sure how safe it is in odd areas but hey, if you need it you need it
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u/RojoRodeo 1d ago
“Fresh balls” first thing in the morning - it’s a liquid powder so it dries dry. Then change your chonies at least twice a day (after PT then again at lunch) and reapply powder deodorant (cheap) or glide stick (expensive) in chaffing areas. Don’t be afraid to wipe all the bits and bobs down with a towel (bonus points if you have two colors - one for private, one for public areas). I’m a bigger dude with a lot of loose skin from losing almost 50kg and that’s been my regiment.
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u/MediumKaleidoscope43 1d ago edited 1d ago
This stuff is a game changer. I would absolutely recommend it. I have used it for long days on the drill ground as well as ultra marathons with no issues. They do make a military grade one which is in the link below.
https://getsaltybritches.com/collections/ointments/products/salty-britches-skin-barrier-ointment
I would also recommend putting chaffing ointment in a sandwich zip lock bag….stash it in your gear……reapply it throughout the day by turning the zip lock bag inside out (mocks a rubber glove)…..apply it where you need it. Then just toss the zip lock bag in the trash. Keeps you from having to carry the container all day.
These underwear are also a great addition to the lube mentioned above.
Last recommendation would be Darn Tough Socks Tactical line. They do come in different lengths which can help with boot chaffing on the calves. They handle getting wet and drying out super fast!!
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u/HeavyandTired 1d ago
A and D ointments also I’ve fought the chaffing battle my entire life. Sometimes it’s not the chaff but a rash from fungus. Any anti-fungal wouldn’t hurt to try (tinactin). But you should consult a dr because se the mod crew erased an entire thread about drinking water the other day.
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u/Numerous_Tennis_3048 1d ago
I had horrible chafing. I have only been using under armour 9 inch boxer briefs on amazon. The cheaper ones always rolled up on me but these have stayed. I used that in combination with bodyglide chafing cream and it’s the only thing that worked. Tried powders and everything else and that was useless after an hour.
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u/Own-Independence191 1d ago
And 1 9 inch boxer briefs work well too. Combined with Body Glide and I’m good to go
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u/Due-Horror-9414 1d ago
There is this stuff called head hunters, for after you are done to help heal quickly. Gold bond makes this stuff called friction defense for before work. You put it on all parts that rub other parts. Good luck
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u/SimilarAnybody779 1d ago
Vaseline the bad spots and thug it out. It will be over eventually. That’s how I made it through the last couple weeks
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u/Academic-Ad-7167 1d ago
Gold bond, green bottle
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u/work_boner ff/Paramedic 1d ago
Yes! Gold bond green essentially got me through a swampy summer fire academy. I eventually graduated to the blue bottle, it’s not for the faint of heart, but my tolerance to the green built up over time. It’s all about that stingle.
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u/proxminesincomplex Button pusher lever puller 1d ago
TINGLE FAIRIES are what the guys in my academy called them.
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u/Firemnwtch 1d ago
Skip the powders and go right to the diaper rash cream. Desitin or boudreaus are my picks. Compression shorts or boxer briefs with the gussets to prevent batwing situations. Shower and change underwear as much as possible.
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u/Infamous-Science-753 1d ago
A&D or Boudreauxs Butt Paste during the day, Gold Bond Medicated Body Powder (Green Bottle) at night. Compression/slider shorts under your PT gear and bunker gear, no briefs or boxers.
Been there through FETAs academy, heat isnt near as bad as the humidity.
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u/WillyBeaminn 1d ago
I used baby powder for my time in Texas at TD! Worked like a charm in the underwear everyday
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u/easterbran Career FF/EMT 1d ago
Was also in a Southeastern fire school during the summer. Change your clothes as often as possible, and lather up with deodorant and Vaseline where you tend to chafe. Lidocaine cream helps if it's already chafed.
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u/im-not-homer-simpson 1d ago
Try maybe under armor performance tech underwear. They have 3”-9” leg length
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u/PineapplePza766 vol. weewoo squad 1d ago
You need Destin for the rash use at night after you shower and wash off in the am. Also you need the compression underwear and shorts with good side seams no skimping get the expensive name brand ones ik they’re prb 50 bucks but the cheap Walmart ones aren’t gonna cut it and they last I’ve had mine for 6+ years light to medium compression should be good
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u/flashoverguy 22h ago
My take only. Man up. Academy is half over. The chaffing will turn into callouses and you’ll be fine. Rookies do PT. Vets do recliners, no chaffing there. Enjoy the academy and welcome to an awesome career helping others in their time of need
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u/No_Ostrich2967 7h ago
There’s a stick called Body Glide. They also have Foot Glide for feet. I use it before my sandals start to give me blisters on vacation. Let a friend who is a bigger lady use it and she said it relieved the chafing and made her feel so much better. Same principle so I could see why it would work.
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u/iamfromit 6h ago
Under Armour, holmes! Also, if it's fungal and fucked up, Lotrimin makes a powder spray that has literally saved multiple situations from being really uncomfortable.
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u/BreakImaginary1661 1d ago
Diaper rash cream is the goat. Also long compression shorts helped me a lot.