Recently I got my first saddle sore. It’s not terrible but still pretty annoying. I’m on an ISM Breakaway saddle with zip ties to bring the nose in more narrow. Had it for over a year. No recent changes to position or volume that I can think of to bring this on. Question is, what’s the best way to treat and get rid of saddle sores? And also keep from getting them in the future.
Neosporin to treat it. Use some kind of chamois cream or body glide in the future, always use clean shorts, change immediately after your ride etc… Be proactive and use Neosporin at the first sign of inflamation.
I got rid of my Prologue and switched to a Cobb Max which is a little narrower and has a longer usable sitting area. I used to get sores on the Prologue all the time and the zip tie didn’t work for me because my seat was too far back.
I used the diaper rash cream Penaten (sp?) seemed to work well. My shorts have stretched out and a fold here or there - doesn’t take much when riding 2-3 hours daily.
Unfortunately, I know a lot more about this topic than I would like to. =( In my experience, there are two main types of saddle sores, and the treatment will vary, depending on which type you have.
The first type is an abrasion, where you have an area of skin that is rubbed raw. Diaper cream works well for treating this type of sore. I use Desitin Creamy, and it seems to help the chafed area heal faster.
The second type of saddle sore is more like a pimple or a cyst. I’ve found that OTC acne medications often work well for this type of sore. I’ve had pretty good success with a product called Acnevir – it usually helps clear up the sore, and it doesn’t irritate my skin like some acne medications can. I’ve also tried benzoyl peroxide based acne medications, but those don’t seem to work as well for me. If all else fails, you can go to the dermatologist and get a cortisone shot. I’ve resorted to this strategy on a couple of occasions, and it cleared up the sores pretty quickly. Also, if you have a cyst-type sore, resist the temptation to squeeze it or try to pop it like you would a pimple. I’ve made this mistake a few times, and it just makes the sore worse.
And I agree with the sp1ke’s suggestions regarding chamois cream, clean shorts, and showering and changing clothes as soon as you get off the bike. I hope you heal quickly!
If it’s an abrasion, diaper rash cream.
If it’s a boil, use a hot washcloth (frequently) and hydrocortisone cream. Something with tea tree oil may help too.
Bag Balm.
Recently I got my first saddle sore. It’s not terrible but still pretty annoying. I’m on an ISM Breakaway saddle with zip ties to bring the nose in more narrow. Had it for over a year. No recent changes to position or volume that I can think of to bring this on. Question is, what’s the best way to treat and get rid of saddle sores? And also keep from getting them in the future.
97% of saddle sore issues can be resolved simply with lower saddle positions…3-5 mm lower is generally all it takes. Most people are too high to start off which is the root cause. You can use all kind of creams and shorts etc, but if you have the right saddle height, right shaped saddle for your anatomy and clean shorts then most of it goes away. If you are bike touring or riding a grand tour or RAAM, then you end up with “not that clean shorts” simply because you are out on the bike all day. Then that starts becoming a problem…for the rest of us, who are out on daily shorter rides, not a huge issue.
Recently I got my first saddle sore. It’s not terrible but still pretty annoying. I’m on an ISM Breakaway saddle with zip ties to bring the nose in more narrow. Had it for over a year. No recent changes to position or volume that I can think of to bring this on. Question is, what’s the best way to treat and get rid of saddle sores? And also keep from getting them in the future.
97% of saddle sore issues can be resolved simply with lower saddle positions…3-5 mm lower is generally all it takes. Most people are too high to start off which is the root cause. You can use all kind of creams and shorts etc, but if you have the right saddle height, right shaped saddle for your anatomy and clean shorts then most of it goes away. If you are bike touring or riding a grand tour or RAAM, then you end up with “not that clean shorts” simply because you are out on the bike all day. Then that starts becoming a problem…for the rest of us, who are out on daily shorter rides, not a huge issue.
I agree with Dev. I lowered my saddle no more than 2-3mm to relieve the pain I was having before an IM a few years ago. My n=1 diagnosis was that it came from my hips rocking in the saddle. I tend to get more chafed during the winter because I’m spending a lot of time on the trainer. In the summer/fall I don’t have the same issues because my bike is moving with me more than it is on the trainer (maybe this is just a way to convince myself to buy a KK Rock’n’Roll trainer?)
Again, as other shave said:
- Shower ASAP after a ride
- Always wear clean and tight shorts (loose material=friction=chafing=infection)
- Diaper rash cream (I use it after every ride - ButtPaste.com - and yes, that’s the real name of the website, you can find it at almost every supermarket/pharmacy)
- Time off the saddle (sometimes a week without irritating the sore can improve conditions dramatically)
Also, if you have a cyst-type sore, resist the temptation to squeeze it or try to pop it like you would a pimple. I’ve made this mistake a few times, and it just makes the sore worse.
I’ve had one of those recurring now for over a year. Any idea how to get rid of it?
It’s called a boil, and Hydrocortison cream is probably your best treatment short of seeing a doctor.
On longer rides (3+hrs), I’ll add a little neosporin or triple antibiotic ointment in with the chamois cream. Definitely helps.
I’ve been using a product called ReSkin, and it has been great. Protects and helps heal the sore. A RAAM rider recommended it to me.
I had the same, right over my hamstring tendon. It would grow/shrink depending on the quality of my shorts, but never fully resolve. My GP lanced it and it finally disappeared for good.
Now I use Vagisil cream (2% resorcinol) before and after riding as an antibacterial and it’s working well.
Also, if you have a cyst-type sore, resist the temptation to squeeze it or try to pop it like you would a pimple. I’ve made this mistake a few times, and it just makes the sore worse.
I’ve had one of those recurring now for over a year. Any idea how to get rid of it?
I’ve had pressure sores sometimes as a result of sitting too hard after a standing effort or even rolling over pinching skin. The first time it had the same feeling as a cyst type of sore, but it was just swelling. A friend who has been racing for a long time clued me into pressure sores and the last one I treated it like bumping my head where swelling occurs. I sat on a ice pack while uploading my data post ride and by that evening it was gone. Just glad I did not squeeze at it because that would have made it worse.
I wrote this in 2011, but I am by no means an expert on the subject. http://www.thecyclingaddiction.blogspot.com/2011/03/know-your-sore.html
I don’t think I have a bike fit problem since 95%+ of my rides I have no issues. Only on occasion something flares up.
For general post ride cleanup before driving home I wipe with either baby wipes or hydrogen peroxide wipes before putting on dry clothes and then shower as soon as I get the car unloaded.
Thanks for all the replies!
I don’t know if this is a boil. It’s lump that is under the skin (~1cm across and a little oblong), that is sore but not super sensitive. I tried draining it a couple times, but it comes back. Draining it in fact just made it hurt like hell until it healed. If I just ignore it, it’s tolerable. It must just get pushed to the side of the high pressure points, but it is right over my right sit bone.
Lowering my saddle just 3mm made all the difference.
This happened shortly after I lowered my saddle oddly enough. It began with a more general sensitivity and soreness in the area that wasn’t due to chafing. This is after 30 years of riding with no issues down there.
I tried a couple different saddles, played around with all the adjustments, changed soap (and laundry soap), tried a bunch of different creams. Eventually the crotch became less sensitive and sore, but this cyst is still around.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I’ll try lowering the saddle a hair to hopefully prevent it from happening in the future. I’ve been using Neosporin for a week or so. It comes down in size unto until I ride again, which has only been twice since this started about 8 days ago. I have used prep H some as well but the one I have doesn’t have any hydrocortisone in it.
Also, all of my rides the past few months have been on the trainer.
This stuff is freaking fantastic!
Bag Balm.
This. Get that bag all balmed up. Be liberal, it is sooo cheap. Keeps the seat shiny to.
By the way, nice name.