max power

i'm getting saddle sores exactly where my sit bones contact my saddle. I have no numbness or discomfort on the bike (took a lot of saddles to get to this point), i don't even feel any annoying rubbing anywhere when i'm biking (plenty of assos chamois cream). but after i get home they'll become apparent. at first they seemed a little forward of my sit bones but i've noticed that when im in my biking position (leaned forward) they're exactly where i sit on the saddle. both sides. anybody else have/had this problem? solutions?

Impoliticus

I had the same problem creep up every once in a while. I've found that shaving the sit bone region helps.

AEO

shave.
it's most likely caused by hair in that region being tugged upon by your clothing, causing the relatively frail skin of that region to become irritated by the stiff hairs.

If you've ever worn ankle high boots with socks and haven't shaved your ankles, you'd know what I mean.

max power

thanks for the input fellas, but that area is kept clean and tidy every since i started using chamois cream. but i'll keep a closer eye on how long i let the hairs get, maybe the stubbles are causing the sores

scirocco

Magnesium sulphate paste can be used to treat them. Available from pharmacies or online if you can't find anyone carrying it. Even Clearasil is better than nothing.

phoenix

WTF! Do you apply it to your whole ass or what?! This thread is on a very slippery slope right now.

max power

i don't apply it to my buttocks area at all, i apply it to the perineal area where my sit bones come into contact with my saddle.

max power

sorry forgot to mention, none of the sores i've gotten have involved broken skin. they get inflamed, but i stop riding until they heal up. i hear open saddle sores are caused by riding despite saddle sores? that's a road i dont' want to go down

nhluhr

In 20 years of cycling, I have NEVER had a saddle sore of any kind and I've never used any sort of chamois cream. I also don't shave my choad. Is your saddle really the best fit for you?

StanSeven

+1

I rarely get them but a very minor adjustment in saddle position eliminates the problem. I agree - it sounds like the OP has a problem with fit or the saddle.

nhluhr

You should also be VERY cautious with any kind of sore 'down there', as the constant humidity and bacterial presence can cause some mighty crippling infections.

cyclezen

prevention? quite some time (25yrs+ ?) ago I started applying a very small dab/amount of topical antibiotic ointment down there, every 3 or 4 riding days or so - or after a long or hot ride (3+ hrs in saddle...), haven't had any problems in all that time.
Prior to that I might get a small infection/ingrown hair thingie once or twice a season... never really had a serious sore or boil as some of my riding mates have had... lucky, was prolly the reason.
I don't use chamois cream or anything else which might clog pores...
I don;t ride shorts with anything more than a traditional thin-ish chamois. That bulky stuff, no matter how hi-tech, bunches and just retains more heat.
I always 'wipe' the chute well, before climbing into the shorts, with wet/damp TP and then again with dry TP until sure its clean - hence no s-marks...

yeah, I know - TMI - but it works for me..

colombo357

I religiously used chamois cream with my old shorts, but stopped using it after getting Hincapie bibs. Haven't had a sore in a long time.

max power

ive come to the realization that everyone's different in that area. my riding buddy (same fitter) can ride any saddle and can switch bikes with people in his ballpark height and do fine even on hard rides. myself, i can't last one minute on most saddles (the fizik arione is torture for me).


i currently practice similar preventive techniques. pre-ride i'll wipe the area down with wet wipes (made by kleenex same stuff you use for babys bottoms). i follow Dave Zabriskies tips post ride (shower immediately, make sure areas dry before putting clothes back on, i even put a thin layer of DZ nuts on the area just to make sure the area stays clean

AEO

I think it has to do with certain materials or the way the thing is made.

I get zero problems with campy bibs and sugoi shorts, but LG shorts give me all sorts of problems on long rides that I only use them for short and cool days.