Saddle Sore From H_LL!

[Norse]

I developed a nasty saddle sore on a 75-mile training ride in late August, which was not helped by doing a century two weeks later. Other than 1 short ride, I have not been back in the saddle since while trying to let it heal. I have been using a generic version of Prep H religiously, twice a day for about 3 weeks now and although it has shrunk a bit, it is still about the size of my pinky nail and does not seem to want to shrink any further. While I have enjoyed hiking and long walks with our dog, I would really like to get back in the saddle again.

Other than seeing a doc, which I really do not want to do, any suggestions? Is it too little too late to try Epsom salts or something else???:(

[Blueberry]

Salicylic acid (for acne) or Cortisone may help. But it's probably time to see a doc:(.

CA

[emily_in_nc]

I had a nasty sore that didn't go away on its own, despite being off the saddle for three months last winter. I finally broke down and went to a dermatologist and got a cortisone shot in it. Instant relief! Unfortunately, it came back once I started riding regularly again this spring. I changed saddles after measuring my sitbones and deciding that my saddle was too narrow, and no recurrence of the sore from h*ll whatsoever.

Nothing else I did helped but the cortisone shot and the saddle change.

Best of luck to you!

[indysteel]

Benzoyl Peroxide helped me get rid of mine. Basically, it's just zit cream. Good luck.

[TahoeDirtGirl]

Is this a sore on the sit bones or is it like a hemi? I know I've gotten them on the flesh part of my butt or the sit bones but not where I would have to use Prep H. I agree on the zit cream stuff, if it's that variety, almost like a boil, that seemed to help mine. That and heat/cold compress cycles. But it's not a place to fool around as my sis got one on her sit bones after riding her horse on an endurance ride and wound up having to get it drained. Ugh.

[Norse]

It's not on the sit bones.:o

Thanks for all the feedback. I have stopped using the Prep H and switched back to hydrocortisone. It seems to be shrinking again, notwithstanding that I went out and did a 41 mile ride this weekend when I was intending a 20-30 miler (the fall foliage was just so darned spectacular, I couldn't stop!). I do have my annual check-up coming up in a few weeks so I'll ask for the shot if it is still hanging around then.

[Norse]

I decided to give the benzoyl peroxide, suggested by indysteel, a try. I bought the highest over-the-counter concentration I could find, 10%.

Success!

Overnight the nasty bump was half gone and within a couple of days, it was mostly gone and now it is only remnants of the nastiness it once was. Thanks so much indy!:)

[indysteel]

I decided to give the benzoyl peroxide, suggested by indysteel, a try. I bought the highest over-the-counter concentration I could find, 10%.

Success!

Overnight the nasty bump was half gone and within a couple of days, it was mostly gone and now it is only remnants of the nastiness it once was. Thanks so much indy!:)

Awesome news! I recommended that to another friend recently and she also had success.

My only caveat to the zit cream is that it WILL bleach whatever comes into contact with it. I have several pairs of undies, a pair of (thankfully cheap) shorts and some PJs that all bear some discoloration. But that dang stuff works, so who cares!

Glad you're back in the saddle!

[pardes]

Tincure of Benzoin is what they used to use in the old days at hospitals to treat bedsore in elderly patients. It really worked VERY well and the good news is that benzoyl peroxide has the same type of ingredient but with a peroxide radical that makes it even better and it easier to buy.

So glad to hear the healing news.