iansir

Saddle sores have become my worst nightmare. I rode for a year without any, and now that I'm kicking the mileage up they are haunting me (just started using chamois cream, but it was too late). One in particular keeps coming back, and is now bleeding. Anyone tried Band - Aid liquid bandage to help heal these suckers? It was an idea I just came up with. Right now I'm just using an antiseptic wash and triple antiboitic oinment, but would really like something to cover it up (even walking around seems to flare it up). Any suggestions appreciated!

UmneyDurak

Neosporin works too.

sbornia

In "The Complete Book of Long Distance Cycling," the authors have a section on preventing and treating saddle sores. This is a great book for many reasons, including this particular section, which I'll summarize:

- "First rule: Don't treat the sore like a typical boo-boo and cover it with a salve or ointment. These may actually keep bacteria alive. Instead, wash with [antibacterial soap] three times each day and leave the sore unbandaged."
- "If the sore is looking more like a boil...take three hot baths a day lasting 15-20 minutes each."
- "A stubborn sore can be helped by what's known generically as a 'drawing salve'...Check with your doctor or pharmacist."

Hope this helps...

socalrider

You may want to try Assos chamois creme before rides. This has anti-fungal and bacterial agents to help keep saddle sores away.. Another top pick is a product called "Bag Balm".

I used the bag balm to help treat a stubborn saddle sore and it healed it very quickly when the neosporin was doing nothing. I have since used the assos chamois creme before rides and have been very lucky to not have anymore saddle sores..

iansir

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'm dying to ride but stuck here on the couch, a major bummer. I'll try a few things, definently planning on switching to Assos cream...I am happy to pay $20 a tin to avoid this in the future!

GloriousandFree

liquid bandaid down there doesn't sound right to me. especially if you are riding i think the qualities of a liquid bandaid would quickly crack or become uncomfortable. more than one doctor has told me liquid bandaids are rubbish and just a gimmick. Hot water and soap and anti-bacterials. Goodluck

Az B

Keep it clean, keep it dry. If you can walk around the house naked, do it. Wear boxers if you can't.

I also found that Assos chamois cream eliminated a couple of stubborn saddle sores very quickly. I had been trying all kinds of stuff for two weeks with little improvement, but within 2 days of using Assos cream, the saddlesores went away.

Az

Doid23

Another vote for Assos, did wonders for me. Also, I use Gold Bond medicated powder after a shower.

Hipcycler

I used Assos last season and felt the same way about the money as you. But you know what? I ran out early in the season and never went back to it. As others have said here, a powder can work just as well and costs a lot less.

Now I just use a basic Desenex powder in there....a splash as the bibs go on....and this has worked just fine.

Here's another idea....
I combo that with something AFTER each ride too.

I keep a container of antiseptic baby wipes right there on the dresser of my cycling room, and as the bibs go off, an immediate swipe with one of those wipes follows. This combo has worked well for me this season and is still cheaper than lathering up with Assos as I used to do.

mahv

When using Assos you don't have to slather it on all over the place, a-la Lance, just enough to cover the sensitive central area will work. $20 is nothing for the amount of rides you'll get out of a jar. Very cheap insurance.

CrimsonKarter21

Where can I get some of this Assos stuff?

sbornia

Colorado Cyclist, Excel Sports, and REI all sell it. Higher-end LBS should have it, too.

Old Dirt Hill

During my last bout with saddle sores, I used some of these so that I could keep riding with minimal discomfort.



I continued to treat as usual, but these pads kept me on the bike.

RiPHRaPH

put A & D creamy on it with a baby wipe. twice daily. leave it uncovered. can mix in some neosporin if you'd like. once it begins to bleed, add lotrimin crm (yes, the lotrimin used for athlete's foot)
we recommend this all the time with good result.

bluyak

I would start at the root of the problem. Get a saddle that fits properly. Try a narrower saddle. Something like a brook, Fizik, or a Sella Italia. Stay away from gel just a good hard padded saddle with a little flex to it. Also a quality pair of riding shorts like Voler. If you still have problems a shot of Butt Butter on the chammy will go a long way.

Dewbert

+1 on bag balm....a pro fitter recommended it to me recently.

here and there

I experimented a bit with treatments and found that Bag Balm on me and A&D cream on the shorts (non-zinc oxide version) is the best combination to prevent sores. After the ride I clean up with baby wipes and put on gold bond medicated powder. For overnight treatment I put on some Bag Balm or any baby rash cream (look for something with zinc oxide).

JavaMan

The best thing I ever used was medicated Vaseline, but I don't think they make it anymore.

Now I use Neosporin. You need to kill the bacteria - butt creams won't do it.

iansir

Thought I'd update...got some Assos cream and put a little on since I was going to be walking around a bunch for the day...wow, talk about almost instant relief. That stuff works, so worth the $20. Should be back on the bike in a day or two, thanks all!

Nachoman

Sometimes if I go on a ride in excess of 50 miles I'll pack some baby wipes and wipe myself clean half way through the ride.

Lucky07

Riding alot of sweaty miles in the summer heat will do it to you every time.

I use BodyGlide on the parts of my body that contact the saddle/chamois. Also make sure you shower after a ride and wash out your shorts.

DXchulo

Not that you would ever try this, but don't apply hand sanitizer to your taint thinking that it will kill the bacteria and solve your problems. Trust me on that one.

The things you'll try to get rid of a saddle sore...

botto 

+1

a good pair of bibs w/a proper chamois (i.e. assos) also makes a HUGE difference.

the only time i have problems with the 'taint is after i've worn something other than assos.

banerjek

+1 -- much better to focus on prevention, though this is part of the cure as well. Likewise, keeping feet dry and well ventilated does more to prevent/cure athlete's foot than any medications you can buy.