What are saddle sores....?

[Ana]

I feel really silly but what are saddle sores?

Are there different types?

I have something that looks a little like acne...is it a saddle sore? :p It's the first one I've ever had....

Will using a lubrication help prevent these kind?

[aicabsolut]

They can be cysts or ulcers (pustules or non-pus vesicles) caused by a clogged or inflamed follicle or sebaceous gland. Sometimes that happens because of too much friction. Bacteria can get in there and make it turn nasty. Using a chamois cream, especially one with antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, will help prevent them. They can occur in different locations for different people. I think a lot of it has to do with where you get the most friction and if you have anything else going on (like ingrown hairs from grooming the bikini line).

[Zen]

http://www.liquicell.com/assets/pdf/Saddle%20Sores%20(P.%20Kortebein).pdf
and

http://www.bicyclinglife.com/PracticalCycling/Sore.htm

[Ana]

but all I found on google search are pictures of horses and cowboys...I found some good bicycling articles and I know saddle sores are a delicate topic, due to the area affected but maybe an illustration?

Thank you for that pdf article! The lengthy description helped a lot :)

From now on, I think one ride = one shorts wash...and will start using chamois cream.

[emily_in_nc]

From now on, I think one ride = one shorts wash...and will start using chamois cream.

DEFINITELY on the not re-wearing shorts -- wash after every ride. It's also a very good idea to hop into the shower as soon as possible after a ride and wash well in the entire saddle area. All that said and done, I still got a really bad saddle sore last year from a too-narrow saddle, as it turns out. Had to break down and get a cortisone shot in it from a dermatologist as it didn't go away after three months off the saddle. It started coming back again this spring until I switched to a wider saddle, at which point it retreated and finally went away completely. Mine was the deep pimple sort, very sore/inflamed, right where my saddle hit the crease of my inner thigh/crotch junction.

[Biciclista]

cowboys used to ride skinny horses with ill-fitting saddles day in and day out. the horses would get a sore a lot like a bed sore. I used to see horses with white hair on their withers where a saddle sore used to be - became scar tissue and hair grew back white.

Now us bikers call saddle sores anything that hurts in the saddle area.