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Old 01-10-18 | 09:22 AM
  #29  
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whitemax
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Originally Posted by Carbonfiberboy
I've had the same thing, as well as several variations on the same. It's a type of cyst. Doctors who are not long distance cyclists know nothing about them. Been there, done that. Fortunately, I now have a doctor who is a long distance cyclist. I did a 153 mile 10,000' ride with him last year as I was recovering from a saddle sore he was treating.

It's basically a type of skin infection but it's under the derma. He said it could be bacterial or fungal or a combination.

So what to do? First thing to look at is: is it possible to find a saddle that doesn't touch your body where the cyst is? Because it's pressure that creates them. I guess it damages the skin, stuff gets in, your body fights the stuff, but since the pressure keeps occurring the cyst doesn't go away.

Second, fight the immediate infection. You know how pros keep getting dinged for steriods and then say, "The doctor prescribed a steroid cream for my saddle sore." Yeah, so the steroid cream you want is fluocinonide, but you shouldn't use it for more than 2 weeks because it can make your skin thin. For the infection, he prescribed the antibiotic mupirocin. I smeared them both on a few times a day and before and after a ride. That worked great. It's good to know what you want before you go see a doctor.

Third, prevent reinfection. My practice is to shower with a dandruff shampoo. I use Selsun Blue, putting it on my crotch first, then turning off the water, doing the rest of me, then turning the water back on, so that it sits there for a while. I also put on Tea Tree Oil every morning and before and after a ride, just little dabs on my finger. https://www.amazon.com/Tea-Tree-LARG...00PHVXIQA?th=1

I also put some Bag Balm on my butt or chamois before a ride, but that really doesn't help the cyst problem because that's a pressure problem more than a friction problem. Different saddle is the long term solution here.



Thanks for the info, very helpful. Man, I've tried about every saddle out there and in about every position they could be set in. Interestingly enough, one of the best in terms of comfort has been a cheap $30 Nashbar saddle. I'm currently using a Selle Italia that has the perineum cut out and it's been quite comfortable. I've been tempted to keep some kind of antibacterial cream on it during the day while at work but thought different given that would create a moist environment thereby fostering growth of bacteria versus having it as dry as possible. I rode my trainer last night for just 35 min. at a good clip without chamois cream which aggravated it a bit. Think I'll go back to using the chamois cream on all rides. As someone had mentioned earlier, it may block a pore but I would imagine that if it is washed off quickly after the ride it shouldn't be a problem.
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