Recovery/healing from chafing?

[deskrider]

I am very surprised about the chafing I have from rides the last 2 days (37 and 60 miles). I started riding last fall and at this point have 3500 miles. At first I never used a chamois cream unless the ride was over 25 miles but in March of this year I started using chamois cream religiously because I thought warmer temps might make chafing more likely to occur. I had NO problems (even on 65 mile rides) with chafing until two days ago. I rode a fairly high-intensity ride for 37 miles in temps (finally) over 80 degrees and it started up slightly. Today I rode 60 miles and the last 20 were in temps above 80 and now I have uncomfortable bits. I should mention that the bike, the fit, the saddle and the shorts are the exact same that I've been using for the last 7 months with no problems. It seems that the only variable is temperature and sweating and possibly riding a bit faster. Once you have the chafing of the bits, what makes it feel better when you are not on the bike? I reapplied chamois cream at the 30 or 40 mile mark today and it felt awesome--for about 6 miles. The damage is already done. I have mild burning and itching. What should I use to actually heal this now? I'm sure it can only get worse. I try to ride in the morning before it gets hot but we have 90s here this week for sure and the summer is definitely not over. Any wise advice to keep this discomfort from causing me more problems? I've been very very comfortable until this week.

Thanks!

[DarcyInOregon]

Your problem might be the same one I encountered a few years ago. The pharmacist told me it was probably a fungus, similar to jock itch for men. She recommended a fungus spray for the feet, Lotrimin, that kills all types of fungus. I've never had a fungus infection of the feet so this was new to me. I followed the pharmacist's instructions, which were to clean the area with anti-bacterial soap, for me it was the inside where the thigh meets the torso, dry it, then spray with the fungus stuff about 4 times a day. When I sprayed it stung like crazy for a minute or two then subsided. The pharmacist said to keep a cloth in there at night to keep sweat from making moisture pools, like a handkerchief or hand towel. It cleared up in a few days, however it was important to keep the area from getting damp again, so after the rides, the shorts came off right away, the area was cleaned and dried, and the shorts were washed.

[owlice]

Cortisone 10 cream. Start there; if that doesn't work (should feel better, though may not be completely healed, within 24-36 hours), then move to other things. Darcy's tips for getting out of the shorts and the area cleaned and dried will help regardless of what the problem is, and are always good ideas IME.

[Thorn]

Double up on Darcy's comments about out of the shorts and I'd go so far as to say to put on a skirt, skip the undies and if you're by yourself, the heck with sitting "lady like"-- let the area breathe.

[deskrider]

Wow, Darcy, it sounds like you hit the nail on the head! Even at night if it gets hot in the house and I get the slightest bit of skin warmth or moisture in that same area it starts itching. FWIW I am absolutely totally OCD about getting my shorts off and into the shower immediately after every ride. I simply can't stand to wear the shorts after the biking activity has stopped. Then I wash them immediately after my shower in Penguin Sports Wash, which seems to work well. Thanks for the tips, laldies! I was pointing a finger at my chamois cream but I think it's something different than chafing.

[zoom-zoom]

Yep, last Summer my hubby ended up with a raging yeast infection in the same area, even though he always took his shorts off ASAP after rides. But several rides of 75 miles or more in the span of a few weeks did a number on him. Our PCP prescribed a strong antifungal cream that worked wonders. He now uses it preventatively after long rides.

[bellissima]

Deskrider, some of the girls in our group used to get the same when the temperatures went up, it is caused by bacteria that tribes on hot warm conditions. The secret is to avoid it instead of treating it. Use a chamois cream that last during most of the ride and keeps bacteria off. The girls and I use Endur-It, this cream lasts several hours and keeps the bacteria off, but I am sure there are other chamois creams that will also work for you, just have to try them.

[marni]

there is a all natural salve called Everything balm which comes from goodiesunlimited.com (also an excellent source of all natural soaps) which has tea tree oil,(anti bacterial and disinfecting) eucalyptus oil, lemon grass, a touch of bees wax and amyriad other good things which I slather after every ride. I have even used it internally if I start feeling that "certain itch" and because of the bees wax and other good stuff is all natural, it can be used internally. The bees wax is especially good for locking out moisture.

The other adive I have is to wear cotton panties or undergarments, and try sleeping with a small pillow between your knees, especially if you are side sleeper, which allows better air circulation in the crucial area and is good for your back as well.

marni

addendum, everything balm is my go to medicine for cuts, sunburn, road rash, eczema, and daily messages to eliminate scar tissue on slices and dices. Its good stuff and smells refresing and not obnoxious as well.