Dave Cutter

Even when they have to be cut out (and it is out... not off) it isn't a big deal. The removal is a very minor in office, doctors visit. No pain and they heal very quickly. Whereas.... inflamed and/or infected areas can become major or even life threating problems.

I read [here] a lot of times when a poster has a knee, hip, neck, back problem (in this case a sore caused by hair).... and automatically they contribute the problem to their cycling. I think that can often be a mistake. Even if a cyclist can find the time to ride say... 4 hours a week... how many hours are being spend in a desk chair, in front of a TV in a recliner, in their car seat?

I am sure some people who get tennis elbow also play tennis. But I'd guess many more get the repetitive motion/over-use injury without ever holding a racket.

And it might be weight gain that returned a person to cycling. And, many joint problems can have a root cause in the persons weight. But cycling may get the blame. I do a really crappy job of diagnosing my own health issues. Not that I have that many. But I've found that my doctor does a much better job of figuring out what and how to treat my minor issues.

Before I'd self-diagnose and self-treat by staying off the bicycle..... I'd rush to see my doctor for a professional opinion.