I have a saddle sore :(

[BC2COCyclist]

...after only 10 miles of riding my new bike. Fail! The saddle is at the correct height etc.

I do not have padded shorts - I blame this for getting the saddle sore.

I have an itchy, zit-like thing between the crease of my cheek and my upper thigh. I'm a bit worried it could cause further problems?

Should I *blech* pop it or leave it alone...?

[indysteel]

I have good luck with your basic "zit" cream in treating saddle sores in that location. Just be careful what you wear when using it. It will bleach most fabrics.

[BC2COCyclist]

Thank you. We have antifungal cream...but no zit cream in the house as I don't generally suffer from acne to any great extent. DH has some Chamois cream, I think...

[indysteel]

Well, the zit cream works because it will kill at least some bacteria. Chamois cream is a lubricant good at preventing saddle sores in the first place, but it won't really heal anything IME. And a saddle sore isn't a fungal infection, so I doubt it will help either. You might try something like Neosporin, but I've never had any luck with that either.

[BC2COCyclist]

I don't have neosporin, either, as I don't believe in it. LOL

I wonder if a saline soaked pad made with kosher salt would help? I've used that numerous times to heal wounds etc. Hmmm

Can you recommend padded shorts for a chick on a serious budget? Buying the road bike cleaned us out.

[indysteel]

I guess you could try it. You might do a search on TE for "saddle sore" and see if any other home remedies have been suggested. All I know is that I tried just about everything else, and zit cream worked within 24 hours. For a few dollars, it might be worth getting.

As for shorts, check out Performance.com or Nashbar.com for some good deals. Of course, TE is a great source, too, and is offering a sale right now. A lot of TE's shorts are admittedly on the high end though.

[Biciclista]

if you got a sore in 10 miles it's not the lack of padded shorts, it's either the fit of the saddle or the saddle itself. Try to wear shorts and underwear with less prominent seams.

[BC2COCyclist]

I just wore tights without underwear. They are MEC tights incidentally - not expensive.

My new steed has a Bontrager Affinity meant for chicks.:/

[kmehrzad]

Years ago a new bike saddle was giving me saddle sores. I corrected the problem by going to a more narrow saddle. That took care of the issue for me.

[BC2COCyclist]

Interesting...

[Owlie]

It may be "designed for women", but if it doesn't work for you, that means nothing. I got sores in that area from a saddle that was the wrong shape--good width, but too gradual a transition between the nose and the back. I still get them from a narrower, better-shaped saddle, but not nearly as often, and only with one pair of shorts. (Check the saddle threads for more.)

As for shorts: Check the for-sale section here on a regular basis, and Performance or Nashbar.

[ny biker]

I just use soap and water for saddle sores. I don't have many problems with them. Make sure you change into clean dry clothes as soon as possible after a ride.

The affinity is pretty t-shaped, but it comes in 3 different widths so it might be the wrong size.

[BC2COCyclist]

the one that came with my Trek Madone WSD 3.1..it says "U22" underneath.

I have never measured my sitbones, nope. I have ridden my 20 year old unisex MTB all over the place and never had this issue. :/

[Biciclista]

can you try your other saddle on this bike?

[ny biker]

I think the stock saddle is 144 mm, but I could be wrong.

Since the shop where you bought the bike is a Trek dealer, they will have a measuring device that you can sit on to find out if the saddle you have is the correct width.

What saddle is on the MTB?

[goldfinch]

The seat that came on my 2011 Madone 4.7 was the worst possible seat I could imagine. I put a Terry Butterfly on it.

FWIW

What size shorts do you think you wear? Several very generous women gave me medium bike shorts to wear when I was between sizes. I can send you a spare pair if you think they will fit. They are well used but free! PM me if you are interested.

[BC2COCyclist]

the saddle on the MTB is um, old. The bike is a Kuwahara Savage. I also have a low-end unisex hybrid with a different, cheap saddle that has never caused me a problem.

I think my wearing of just my cheap tights and then, not being able to change out of them immediately as my son required Boobies Right Now etc probably led to this issue...I hope.

The weather is about to turn to poop here and I'll be off the bike for a couple of days due to the owie and the weather so time to heal.

[WindingRoad]

3 words: Tea Tree Oil

Works MIRACLES on saddle sores ;)

[marni]

3 words: Tea Tree Oil

Works MIRACLES on saddle sores ;)

also audries everything salve (goodiesunlimited.com) all natural combination of tea tree, eucalyptus, lavendar, sage, camomille, golden daisy and several other all natural homeopathics which works wonders on saddle sore, sore tushes, caffing, chapping, scars, dry skin, crack heels, cuticles, acne, eczema and many other things.

marni

[BC2COCyclist]

3 words: Tea Tree Oil

Works MIRACLES on saddle sores ;)

Years ago, I used Tea Tree oil on my face and IIRC it caused some swelling/rash shenanigans, thus, I have avoided it since.

Should I take the risk...?

[ny biker]

Years ago, I used Tea Tree oil on my face and IIRC it caused some swelling/rash shenanigans, thus, I have avoided it since.

Should I take the risk...?

I wouldn't.

[cthoops]

I've had a lot of success in the past with extra strength Desitin. Yes, the diaper rash cream. A few applications a day for a few days seems to do the trick. Good luck!