Training & Nutrition - Lump in crevice between leg and groin

Hi, I've developed a lump in the crevice between my leg and groin (female) on the left side only. I attributed this to a problem with my bicycle seat, but now I'm questioning that because it is only on one side. It hurts when I'm on my bike, and is tender to the touch.

Is this a saddle sore? Has anybody experienced this?

Thanks
Tabriz

I am a mere male, but saddle sores, male or female, Don't start as tender lumps, but as broken skin caused by pressure and abrasion. If your lump is a saddle sore it may have already progressed to form an abcess. Either way I'd recommend you seek medical advice, this may not be anything to do with cycling.

Could be a sebaceous cyst. Sometimes they go away, some people get them lanced. If it's bothering you on the bike, it would be worthwhile seeing your doc.

Bicycle seats don't generally cause lumps like that. It could be a cycst or inflamed lymph node. You need to get it checked out.

I knew a woman who noticed a painful spot on her inner thigh one day. She was dead 9 months later of cancer, not an easy way to go.

It sounds like a cyst, as mentioned above, but I would not take any chances with painful lumps.

These can be infected hair follicles/boils.
Stuff to try:

Check to see if your bike saddle is crooked. If one leg is slightly longer or stronger than the other, the saddle can get out of alignment.
(Due to some orthopedic problems on my left side (knee, elbow, shoulder) I seem to ride lopsided even with the saddle straight)

Saddles that are too cushy/soft can result in pressure being put on body parts not designed for the task. That can cause lack of airflow, increased sweating, and friction. A firmer saddle may help keep the weight mostly on the sitbones.
Gel saddles will break down over time. Saddles don't last forever.

Make sure your bike shorts fit and do not "tent" across the body creases. Snug the shorts up to avoid skin:skin friction.
Chamois butt'r that doesn't clog pores will cut down chafing that can precede infection.
Some bike shorts have great compression keeping loose skin from flapping or rubbing the side of a saddle. Other bike shorts do a great job wicking away moisture keeping skin drier. Shorts that do both well and last longer than a few months? Um.
Don't overdress.
Check to see if the fabric in your shorts is fraying.

Um, no underwear under the bike shorts, right?

Be meticulous about hygiene - clean shorts each ride, change out of bike shorts after rides especially if you sweat a lot.
Clean up with wet wipes before rides later in the day.
Watch your diet, check with your doc to make sure you do not have blood sugar/diabetes symptoms. More fiber and less fat/sugar/refined carbs.
Don't squeeze the lump, it can burst under the skin spreading infection. Anti-acne medication can help heal infections (benzoyl peroxide) but it will bleach out and ruin underwear and bike shorts/chamois - wash it off thoroughly.
Boil-ease helps reduce pain until infections drain on their own.
If you feel overall sick, get to the doc asap.

Body hair - ask in Women's cycling forum.

I had two of these, about the size of half a peanut, or maybe a little smaller and about the same shape. Long axis front to back. Firm to papitate. Perhaps 1/16" to 1/8" below the surface. No obvious path to the skin: no clogged pore, hair, rubbed area, etc. The first time, I cut way back on the riding and it eventually went away. The second time I was training for an event, so I went to the doctor. She took a look and said that things like this can develop just from pressure. IIRC, she said it was an infection, but that it had nothing to do with my sanitary habits, which are very good. She had a fancy name for it which I forget. She declined to take a knife to it, said that would cause more problems than it would solve. Basically she said "change saddles." Find a saddle that doesn't press on that spot. Which I did. I continued to train and it went away in about two weeks. I've never had another one.

I also had a female friend who developed a labia about the size of half a plum. Same problem, just much worse. Tough woman, randoneusse. She went to a slotted saddle, I forget which one, and it went away. Try a Specialized Lithia.

To start, get it checked. Time for a gynecological anyway?

As for possibilities or common occurrences... fatty tissue that often occurs w/ age. Scar tissue if you ride a ton on a poorly fit saddle that cuts circulation in your perineum. Sebaceous cyst... Lots of possible but only one way to find out....

Bubonic plague.

KeS

Thanks for the replies, everyone! I will try these suggestions, and I do have a physical set up mid September. Just wondering if I needed to panic and try to move it up. I've been increasing my long day's mileage on Saturdays trying to get ready for a Century (also mid September) AND I have a new saddle. May not be the saddle for me...

Tabriz

Thanks for the replies, everyone! I will try these suggestions, and I do have a physical set up mid September. Just wondering if I needed to panic and try to move it up. I've been increasing my long day's mileage on Saturdays trying to get ready for a Century (a
So mid September)

Tabriz

I wouldn't panic - that won't help, and it's probably minor - but I would move the appointment up. There's nothing to be gained by waiting, and were it a minor infection, for example, getting it sorted out now would pit you in shape in time for your century.

i know this threads wzy old but i came upon it while researching a similar issue im experiencing. Has anyone had any recent experience with the subcutaneous cyst and do you know if its alright to continue to ride? its not painful but then again ive been off the bike for nearly two weeks on dr's orders. my dr is submitting a request to have me see a general surgeon. any advice would be appreciated.