The main cause of bra-chafing is an ill-fitting bra. This can mean that the bra is the wrong size (too small or too big.)
Common causes of bra chafing
Wearing a bra with an improper fit and a bra that is too tight or too loose can cause bra chafing. Wearing a bra made up of cheap fabric will cause chafing. Because the fabric is not skin-friendly and it can irritate the skin.
The solution to this is loosening the bra or trying something bigger, but this is dependent on where the red marks are. If you find your bra leaving red marks on your side or your bra is leaving red marks under your breasts, this probably means that your band is too tight.
Keeping the skin clean, cool, and dry can help treat most causes of rashes on or between the breasts. Here are some examples of treatment to take: Gently cleanse the affected area with antibacterial soap and warm water. Dry the area when finished.
Rashes that develop under the breast often result from skin irritation or allergic reactions. However, rashes on the chest region can also stem from infections such as shingles, cellulitis, measles, chickenpox, and scarlet fever. Some other possible causes include psoriasis, eczema, and heat rash.
The best way to deal with an underboob rash is to reduce the accumulation of sweat around the breast area. Place a thin piece of cotton between the lower part of the breasts and the skin underneath to absorb moisture and create a barrier.
If the back rides up or the breast tissue falls under the wire in the front throughout the day, it is too loose. To check if your band is too loose, lift your arms above your head. If the band moves up your sides or back, or if your breast tissue starts to come out from below the underwires or band, it's too big.
Some red marks and indentations or imprints from your bra are common. We are made of soft, squishy stuff so a little bit of marking is normal.
If the bra does not sit flat on the chest then it means the bra could be too small in the cups. If your bra cup size is too small, then it is impossible for the underwire to lie flat against your chest.
If there are gaps between the cup and your breast, you're wearing a cup size too big. If you find your breast spilling over the top, side, or bottom of the cup, you most likely need to go up in size. You also need to consider a larger cup size if the underwire or bottom of the bra is resting on your breasts.
Look in the mirror and turn to the side. If you see your breast tissue (soft skin of your breast) bulging over the top of the cup, your cup size and/or band size is too small! You need a bra with more cup capacity that isn't squeezing your tissue too tight, or a larger band.
Your cup size will naturally rise or decrease according to how much weight you acquire or lose. A molded bra may help raise and mould your breasts into a more appealing shape if you've lost a large amount of weight.
Itchy breasts are a common occurrence, but if there is no rash, the cause may be difficult to pinpoint. Various conditions, including yeast infections, eczema, and psoriasis, often cause itching, but they also produce a rash.
If you do get a rash, use an anti-yeast or anti-fungal powder, which should clear up your skin within a couple of days, says Hazen. On especially hot days, you might try wearing a bra liner, which slides under the bottom of your bra to help absorb sweat and keep you dry.
“All the dead skin cells, oils and sweat trapped under your bra make for a cesspool of bacteria and yeast,” Dr. Vij explains. “Not washing frequently enough can lead to stains and persistent odors on the bra — as well as skin irritation, rashes or local skin infections from yeast or bacteria.”
A heat rash can pop up when the sweat ducts beneath your breasts are blocked, trapping in perspiration. The result is clear, fluid-filled blisters and bumps; itchy, prickling red bumps; or goose bump–like areas on your skin.
If you have symptoms of inflammation, you can use a combination treatment containing both a mild corticosteroid (e.g. hydrocortisone) and an anti-fungal medication to treat your fungal sweat rash. Canesten® offers anti-fungal only treatments as well as a hydrocortisone containing combination treatment.
If your band and underwire are the right size, then the center gore should lay flat against your sternum. You should not be able to move it easily, but it also shouldn't press too hard on your chest. If the center gore of your underwire bra does not lay correctly, then the cups are too small or the band is too loose.
Cup size is determined by the amount of breast tissue you have. To find your cup size, you can use a string to gently wrap around the circumference of your breast. After you've obtained your measurement, you'll need to convert it to inches. For example, if your measurement is 12 inches, your cup size would be a C cup.
Many women lose breast tissue, resulting in a wider space between. Some women gain breast tissue, going up as much as a cup size, which is often – but not always – a result of overall weight gain. Breast enlargement is menopause is less common than its opposite, but it does occur.
They should sit comfortably over the shoulders, and not dig into the skin or fall off. Cups: The bra cup should completely contain the breast. If the breast is bulging over, you need to go up a cup size. If there is space between the cup and the breast, you need to go down a size.