General Cycling Discussion - Best cure for saddle sores?

Recently I've begun to suffer from a couple of persistent saddle sores. I ride every week - commute about 4 miles each day, hills (out of the saddle most of the time) once a week and then a 30mile trip on a thursday. Up until the last month I've experienced no problems down below in any shape or form. Wore padded shorts and cream on the long 'uns and just normal clothes on the commute. I think it's the short commute, in normal clothes, that has brought the sores on.

They seem to get smaller if, obviously, I keep the area clean, occasionally apply nappy cream or a skin cleanser but nothing seems to do the trick thoroughly as within a week they're back. I've adjusted the saddle several times in case i'm 'wobbling' but they still seem to appear.

Short of not cycling for a while in the hope of a full-recovery, has anyone any good, tried-and-tested, solutions?

Would greatly appreciate any help.

Many thanks
Gerald

Try zinc oxide cream for getting rid of them.

To prevent them ...

1) Make sure your bicycle fits properly.

I'd wear the bike shorts even on the short rides. You can get mtn bike shorts that don't look so "shorty".

Buy a sitz bath (fits on your toilet) and use it to speed healing. Three times a day for about 20 minutes with fairly warm water. Morning, around dinner time and bedtime. Just plain water. Keep it clean and make sure it dries between uses.

Recently I've begun to suffer from a couple of persistent saddle sores. I ride every week - commute about 4 miles each day, hills (out of the saddle most of the time) once a week and then a 30mile trip on a thursday. Up until the last month I've experienced no problems down below in any shape or form. Wore padded shorts and cream on the long 'uns and just normal clothes on the commute. I think it's the short commute, in normal clothes, that has brought the sores on.

They seem to get smaller if, obviously, I keep the area clean, occasionally apply nappy cream or a skin cleanser but nothing seems to do the trick thoroughly as within a week they're back. I've adjusted the saddle several times in case i'm 'wobbling' but they still seem to appear.

Short of not cycling for a while in the hope of a full-recovery, has anyone any good, tried-and-tested, solutions?

Would greatly appreciate any help.

Many thanks
Gerald


Two words for your cure........Bag Balm.

Works everytime!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bag_Balm

Clean Skin... clean shorts.
I stopped getting any after buying Betadyne Surgeon's anti Bacterial Scrub.
and washing with it 'Down There' ...

Two words for your cure........Bag Balm.

Works everytime!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bag_Balm

+1

Wash as soon as you get off the bike and apply Bag Balm. Usually works overnight for me, although a few bigger sores take as long as 3 days.

+1

Wash as soon as you get off the bike and apply Bag Balm. Usually works overnight for me, although a few bigger sores take as long as 3 days.

Little known about Bag Balm is that many,many hospitals and clinics use it for bed sores or other skin ailments.

What kind of a saddle are you using?

Try zinc oxide cream for getting rid of them.

+1, as in zinc oxide based diaper rash ointment. Inexpensive and very effective IME.

Just a standard Charge saddle. Haven't had any problems with it, except I'm thinking might be too hard for the commute without padding.

Many thanks folks. I'll try the bag balm and see how it goes.

Many thanks folks. I'll try the bag balm and see how it goes.

The Balm is da bomb...

Once you get Bag Balm, you can get the jersey:
http://www.cyclingsite.com/collected_wisdom/insights/tbb.htm

http://web.cecs.pdx.edu/%7Eblack/Bikes/images/BagBalmBanner1.jpg

If you have a persistent sore that shrinks but never goes completely away, you might try "black drawing salve." This is an old time remedy, you might have to ask for it at the pharmacy.

N+1 for Bag Balm, having used it for it's original intended purpose and personal use - it is highly effective.
I usually commute in non cycling clothes, the regular underwear you use can make a difference. Some have seams in the wrong place (for cycling), some the seams are fine. IMHO - i,ve had some fruitoftheloom mid models with not optimal seams. Hanes mid models seem OK. I've also recently tried some "hi tech" material underwear from travel Smith and Duluth trading - both had OK seams. I also ride on a leather saddle, which I thinks helps with non cycling clothes.

I first used Bag Balm at my doctor's recommendation for cracked skin on the soles of my feet. The first night I put it on, the cat attacked my foot in the middle of the night. Something about the lanolin in it seems to trigger her predator instincts. She's done the same thing with wool, especially when it's raw.

I first used Bag Balm at my doctor's recommendation for cracked skin on the soles of my feet. The first night I put it on, the cat attacked my foot in the middle of the night. Something about the lanolin in it seems to trigger her predator instincts. She's done the same thing with wool, especially when it's raw.

I wouldn't want to be woken up by my cats and dogs gnawing at my saddle sore area.