Now that I've had one for two weeks, how do I get rid of it? I usually get at least one a season and it's always in the same spot. This has been happening for 15 yrs. with many different saddles. Any thoughts on how to avoid them? TIA


bruce19

Heat and humidity seem to bring them out for me.

I pre-condition my chamois with Aquaphor creme the night before and my "chamois area" with Chamois ButtR just before the ride.

Off the bike, I make sure I clean and dry my "chamois area" thoroughly. Sometimes a bit of talcum powder helps to keep thing dry while off the bike.

My last sore was due to wearing an ill fitting pair of performance cycling shorts. I replaced them with a much nicer pair of voler elite bibs and they have disappeared. I did not decrease my mileage. Simply changed shorts.

This has happened to me with all manner of cycling shorts from $25 - $100 Pearl Izumi's. I have a little ritual after a ride where I shower and then rub alcohol over the "chamois area" where I tend to get the saddle sores. I have to say that works pretty well until I forget to do it. That's when the trouble starts. Is there an effective way to heal them?

bruce19

I try not to re-agitate them once they form.

Before getting into shorts/bibs prep with a good cleansing using baby wipes. They can be had for cheap at the big discount stores in bulk and can be easily carried in a small ziplock sandwich bag for use during the ride (for post bathroom cleanups/ rest stop fueling cleanups/postcrash cleanups and the baggie keeps them from drying out. I have young kids, so we keep these in the vehicles for easy on the road cleanups (all sorts of spills and mishaps happen) and I started using them for pre rides after seeing what they do for diaper rashes. As for getting rid of, keep the skin surface clean and dry and don't wear tight fitting undergarments to irritate the sore, Treat the area with either diaper rash ointment of with a hemmorhoid treatment (such as Tuck's medicated pads or Preparation H).

Squeakr probably has the hot tip with Preparation H. It's supposed to be good for cold sores, too. I was going to suggest something like Bag Balm. It's messy, but either might help; neither will hurt.

I find that Bag Balm really helps saddle sores. Seems to heal them faster.

Has anyone tried CrotchGuard?