Originally Posted by
Leisesturm
Saddle sores are like Diabetes. Sugar intake does not actually cause Diabetes, and healthy people can eat all the Sugar they want, but a Diabetic who indulges in Sugar intake will get very sick because of it. Bad saddles do not cause saddle sores. People who are not prone to saddle sores can ride very bad saddles and not get saddle sores. Someone prone to saddle sores can get them using a $200 saddle. Curing saddle sores by using a gel insert is like 'curing' Diabetes by cutting out sugar. Neither solution has actually cured the problem. Anti-bacterial chamois cream and/or other medically advised skin treatment in the sensitive area is more of a targeted solution to the problem of saddle sores than the relievement of pressure through the use of thick padding.
The issue is friction which eventually breaks the skin, thus allowing bacteria to infect the offended area. The cause itself is not bacteria, therefore using an antibacterial agent is only treating complication introduced by the actual injury, i.e. the infection is secondary. The primary cause is friction, therefore relieving the friction by replacing or covering the saddle
is the solution.