Saddle sores

[ridin a giant]

Can someone "tastefully" describe saddle sores?

Obviously, I haven't had one, but I'm sure that I will. I'm in need of a new seat, I can't seem to get comfie with the one that I have now. I sometimes feel like my woman parts are doubled in size and wonder if I'm on my way to getting the dreaded sores.

thanks

:)

[coolbeansbikes]

well - there are several different kinds!

some are actually ingrown hairs (folliculitis) where the hairs have been rubbed off at aor below the skin surface...


some are like blisters and scabs...

some are like blisters that never open, and just leave you sore...

occurence is usually wherever there is an "inside" corner (as opposed to an "outside" corner...)

if you'd like more information / detail, check out Chapter 21 in the book A Woman's Guide to Cycling by Susan Weaver ...

hope this helps --
beanie

[ridin a giant]

Thanks very much ..... I hope that I don't develop one. They don't really sound all that fun :(

[eyeore53]

i think my saddle sores (in grown hair type) have turned into calluses. how do i get rid of them? i was thinking about an exfoliator, but didn't know if this would aggravate it further. any tips? tks much!

jady

[karen_fish_bio]

The worst most saddle sores get is like a burst of acne in a place you really don't want it. Like any rash of zits, they are sore, some will pop and drain and are just generally uncomfortable. Not life threatening though....a light coating of neosporin over the top of them before bed RELLY helps to bring them under control. Make certain you are wearing clean shorts for every ride... no doubling up on rides before laundry is done. Karen

[missliz]

Neosporin is great for saddle sores- which I never got until recently when I changed shorts. (gained weight during my long layoff). Chamois Butt'r really helps prevent them for me, and the clean shorts thing is absolutly true. I can't wait to get back into the other shorts, though, I think they made a big difference.
I've heard that a seat change, or seat position change, can make a big difference too, either makes 'em worse or clears 'em up. Something to think about.

Lizzy

[eyeore53]

what i'm not hearing anyone else saying anything about is ingrown hairs. i think my problem is not clean shorts. that's not a problem. gawd knows i've got enough that i don't need to do laundry all the time!! i just have to stop shaving everything... i was just wondering if anyone else had these kinds of sores. like i mentioned before, they start out as ingrown hair bumps (tiny) & then turn into big callus-like bumps. if i don't shave, they don't get bigger, but they haven't gone away. it's been a couple of weeks. oh, & i DO use neosporin. i have several tubes throughout my house. i swear by the stuff. tks again!!

jady

[Irulan]

There are probably SOO many factors. I shave "everything" and find that if I get saddel sore at all it's of the litttle callouses in the labia minor , but they never hurt so I never notice it.

Irulan

[annie]

I have problems with the ingrown hairs, too, especially if I shave all the way up, you know, so that when I wear a swim suit, I don't feel like an ad for Nair Bikini Line hair remover. What I do is slather the sore spots with Bag Balm (I imagine neosprin works, too) and pretty much just ignore them. Rarely have I had one get terribly sore. They tend to go away during the winter when I can't ride as much. Until then, I put up with it as a side effect of riding. Small price to pay.

[tinkerbell]

Although saddle sores might not be life threatening (I'm not a Dr. , but I think that if they were to become infected and untreated they could become very serious--if an infection is left untreated can it not spread or somehow get into the blood stream and become deadly? I'm probably wrong, I guess that's why I left nursing in my first semester and became a 5th gr. teacher ;)) Anyway, a guy on our bike team had them this year and they became so bad that he developed an infection and ended up in the emergency room for treatment. YIKES! Definitely just beware, try the recommended treatments, and if you have any questions or it doesn't seem to be clearing up use caution and see your doctor.

Also--just to mention, I often get infected glands down in my nether regions. At first the Dr. thought they were just ingrown hairs and I was told to treat it with hot wet washclothes, but later after seeing a specialist I was told they were infected glands and I needed to take an oral anitbiotic. They show themselves as hard bumps at the bikini line where my leg meets my pelvic region, they are extremely painful when I ride, but they do not at all get *****-- they merely look like a lump (sometimes show themselves with a reddish tint)--or a large bump or "callous" as someone mentioned. I didn't get them until I started to cycle, and now I've had them several times. I just thought I'd throw out the fact that not all pains down there are "saddle sores" and if you aren't sure you should once again consult a physician to make sure you are using proper treatment.

[eyeore53]

i, too, get inflamed lymphnodes & have since at least jr high. i have no idea what causes them or how they go away. i've never taken anything for them, but was advised by my dr not to squeeze or pop them because that could cause more infections. i don't think what i have now is the same thing. my calluses aren't painful. just not very pretty. guess i have to date only serious cyclists who can understand! ;)

jady

[missliz]

Hey- I get that lymph node thing too and could NEVER figure it out! I usually feel fluish with them, then they go away.
Wierd.
At least I'm not the only one. Good to know.

Lizzy

[Irulan]

I don't get lumph node things ( I don't think) but I do get what I thought were just infected hair follicles, large almost pimple-like things, sometimes with a whitehead. (Sorry to be so groass but that does seem to be the topic...) They always seem to be right under the leg band of my panties, and have no relation to the amount of cycleing I' am doing

Irulan

[MightyMitre]

Fortunately I don't get too many in-growers, but while we're on the subject, what do you girls find is best for the bikini area?

Irulan mentioned she shaved "everything". Hope you don't find this weird but do you mean EVERYTHING, like a brazillian wax?

I usually got for a full head, but just very short and under control.
What do people find is best, long, short, hair or bare? After all - it must be there for a reason? If I'd be better off with bare then I'm willing to give it a try.

[Irulan]

haha, I had to go look up "brazilian wax" on google. :p

here's tmi
I have what's called ( I guess) a "playboy" wax (except I don't wax) Oh, my the things you learn on the internet. All I"ll say is this, it drives my hubby crazy and that's good for me.

here's WAY tmi...



Technically speaking there are four types of bikini waxes.

1.The Bikini Wax - Hair is removed from outside the panty line.
2.The Brazilian Bikini Wax - Leaves a vertical stripe in front, two to three fingers in width. Hair is not removed from the labia. Hair is removed from the tush. Hair may be removed from the butt crack if woman wishes.
3.The Playboy Bikini Wax - All hair is removed from the labia, all hair is removed from the tush, including the butt crack and only a very narrow strip is left in the front. Named after Playboy magazine because that's what you see on the models in Playboy.
4.The Full Bikini Wax - It's all taken off baby. Everywhere. Everything. Bald.

[MightyMitre]

LOL ! That's fantastic!!:D The things you learn.:D
OK - so that's me educated on the various different 'hair-do's'.

Might go for a Playboy sometime, just to suprise my bf. Might give the Full Wax a miss though, don't want to getting bald just before winter . Chilly!!!:D


PS Didn't mean to hijack the thread, ridin a giant, but it's kinda linked... ;)

[Irulan]

there's got to be a way to correlate various hair-do's to occurance of saddle sores, eh? :rolleyes:


go for it, chances are he'll love you even more for it which usually means lots of undivided attention...


Irulan:o

[tinkerbell]

I'm not pro or con shaving/waxing, but I did hear (and can't remember if I posted it here or elsewhere- so sorry if this is repeated...) that hair down there has the purpose of reducing friction during sex. I'm guessing if that's truly the purpose that would mean it would do the same (reduce friction) if you're rubbing against the saddle as well (maybe?) Anyway, it cost too much, too frequently, for this single mom to even consider waxing (damn teacher's salary ;) Although maybe I'd get more dates if I did ;) For now, I'll stick to my neatly trimmed hair-do

[missliz]

Oh, how embarrssing- I had Brazilian mixed up with the Playboy....:( .
Thanks, Irurlan, I won't look foolish at the spa (LOL).

I like a fairly bare crotch, myself- the problems start uo when it grows back, and haven't found away around it. I found this great exfoliating washcloth recently at the drugstore, Not as rough as a Buf Puf but more than a regular cloth and I'm hoping that may help. My legs look a lot better with it.
Just a thought- and keep it on the skin, not the pink parts!

Lizzy

[goddess1222]

i'm ready to go in for either a brazilian or a playboy, all that hair drives me nuts!!! any of you suggest i take a few advil beforehand?

[Irulan]

I've always just done it with a razor.. you might need a clippers to get going, but I just shave daily, have for years. That works for me. Waxing sounds scary!!

Irulan

[annie]

This has sure morphed into a fascinating discussion! ;) I just never really thought about a "hair-do" in that area. Got me thinking now, tho'. I think Irulan has the idea. Once you shave it, you have to keep doing it everyday, that way it won't grow back and you won't have the grow-back trouble that Lizzy mentioned.

Well, I have to thank you ladies for an education received. Just might have to experiment a bit........... :D

[missliz]

Here's an interesting bit of info- I was getting rashy and tortured and had changed my saddle position to accomodate my screwed up lower back. Finally strengthened those muscles and put it back to normal, the chafing/ beating up on the skin stopped. I've also seen posts from other women here about this and how a seat adjustment resolved some dreadful troubles in this area, so that's something to think about. And there were copious amounts of but butter involved- I may have been too stingy with it in the past.
Anyway the problem suddenly backed down. Still like a fancy hair do though ;) . Life is short, be adventurous.

Lizzy

[ChainsOflove]

I'll not lurk here anymore...too gross!!! ; )

[mtnsnowsnake]

I for one have the "full bikini wax" and haven't had a problem with bumps, irritation, sores etc YET! I realize I don't have all the mileage on my bike yet that you more experienced riders do but I'm sure there will come a day when I can relate to your miseries. Don't sound pleasant though! Oh and by the way, my husband loves the "totally shaved" feel too! hahah

Lynn

[missliz]

What's gross? Chamois lube is a great gift of the cycling gods, at least as far as I'm concerned. God forbid we should ever do tips on deadly aim with a snot rocket (an EXTREMELY useful skill...) :D
Anyway, I thought about it and when I was going high miles I had none of these problems, I think it was the right shorts and a good bike fitting.

Lizzy

[MightyMitre]

Hey MissLiz - re; snot rockets or 'firing on all cylinder'...:D , not quite sure why I should be proud of this but since I've been cycling I've really learnt how to spit!

To start with it used to go all over the place but now, when I'm zipping along I can pretty much get it to go where I want - ie not on me or any of my riding buddies!

Snot rockets still need some work though - just wiping at the moment!:D

Liz ( still Lizzy to my mum & dad though! :) )

[Irulan]

I'm not sure what's gross about this thread either... saddle sores and female anatomy are reality. If we can't discuss it safely here where can we discuss it? A nice hairdo certainly can enhance your sex life, that's reality too.

Irulan

[missliz]

I've never heard firing on all cylinders- that's really funny! Since it's pollen and mold heaven here, one needs to blow a lot, especially in the woods. And yes, you want to miss your friends- But occasionally it's good to threaten the irritating with your dead accurate aim. Remember John Cleese in "Holy Grail" as the Frenchman? "I blow my nose in your general direction!" That annoying person will move to another part of the group if you set him up for a "near miss". Often before the profuse apology >D.
Anyway, saddle sores and chafing are casually discussed in the workroom at my LBS's and athlete guys have no trouble talking to me about it- 'course I'll talk about anything- but they really can't go off on the hairdo topic and still seem like gentlemen, can they? :p So it's great to talk to other women about this. And it's remarkably less icky than childbirth or potty training, perfectly acceptable topics that get drug out an awful lot more than I need to hear them. (Single and fine with it )

Lizzy

Oh, MM- my Granny was one of those glamour puss Society Ladies with all the right credentials, including mistress of a fine River Road plantation. She also smoked in the street and could spit with deadly accuracy. She liked to ride horses, and got the same bug in the mouth problem. Really big on dirt and sweat, I think she was just kinda rebellious, too. So consider yourself in a long fine tradition of Ladies Who Play Hard. Bet HRH Princess Anne can spit- doesn't she ride cross country? ;)

[mrhughes]

I am 43 yrs old, and put in an average of 4,000 miles per year on a road bike. I can tell you all about saddle sores! I am likely to develop all sorts of problems on any ride exceeding 65 miles, and since I do at least 3 mountain centuries each year, I'm always getting a new sore, or healing an old one. The least serious problem is the simple cystic acne boil someone else mentioned here, that appears as a large zit in the fold of the leg, for me, near my sit-bones. The next step up is a blister that is caused by rubbing as one pedals uphill for 2+ hours...that's a typical water blister on the labia. Heals pretty fast - 3-4 days. The worst ones thus far are Bartholin vulvar cysts - also caused by friction between you and your shorts. These are boils in the skin of the vulva, and are infected/impacted sweat glands. Ouch! If you've got a high pain threshhold, you can pop them. Otherwise you can have a doctor lance them, or even cut them out. Doing nothing isn't an option, as it's like walking around with a rock in your pants. In fact, I refer to this condition as "my oyster's growing a pearl!"

None of this has anything to do with the presence of, or total lack of pubic hair. I can't believe so many women buy into this idea of a hairless muff, when it's a direct result of pornographers wanting to get a better photograph of female genetalia. What next? Shaved heads? Plucked eyelashes? (end rant)

The best defense against pubic sores is to wear a good chamois in a good pair of shorts, lubricated with Chamois Butt'r or similar, and sit atop a saddle that conforms to your particular tush. Oh, and stand up at regular intervals while climbing those mountains!

[letty]

mrhughes: are there any good cycling shorts that you can recomend? I have tried several types and and some are better than others but I have not found one that feels completely comfortable for riding long distances.

[Veronica]

Nice to see another person from the Bay Area. :)

I've ridden about 2800 miles so far this year, usually in Castelli prima donnas. I recently branched out to Sugois Ultrafino. I still prefer the Castellis for any ride longer than about 60 miles. Although to be honest I haven't tried the Sugois on any really long rides. Both are fairly expensive ($100 - $120.) I have two of each, that works out to $6.36 a mile(so far) to have a comfy tush. :D

REI will take washed returns, so will Bicycle Outfitter in Los Altos (at least they did last year.) So when I try something new, I usually try to buy the first pair from either of those places.

Veronica

[Irulan]

mrhughes thanks for the informative input to this thread and welcome to the board.

that being said, I feel very uncomfortable and angry with what I percieve as heavy blanket judgement laid out by you regarding hairstyle. If you don't want to read how angry I am feel free to stop right now.

I can't believe so many women buy into this idea of a hairless muff, when it's a direct result of pornographers wanting to get a better photograph of female genetalia. What next? Shaved heads? Plucked eyelashes? (end rant)


How dare you say that I ( or any other contributors here) have bought into a pornographers mentality by our choice of hairdo??!! That really makes me angry. Pornographers may have capitalised on mens' visual tendencies, they sure didn't invent it. I'd lay money on the concept going back thousands of years. It's been stidued to death by researchers of the differences between the sexes. Who are you to judge anyone's grooming? Did we do it because men asked us to? You don't even know that. Care to share any of your own grooming habits so that we can blast you and do dimestore socio-political analysis on you? If I am a lesbian how does that figure into it?

yes, I'm ranting too. I"m really pissed.
I'll shut up now.

Irulan

[mtnsnowsnake]

Irulan - YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!! (in response to mrhughes)

I totally agree. I am totally shaven because I choose to be NOT because of some industry dictation or because my husband demanded it. Nor do I believe that having hair or not having hair may or may not cause discomfort for a cyclist. We are all different and what works for one may not work for someone else and vice versa - which I believe has been stated here before many times. You opened up a can of worms mrhughes. You may want to try a new hairstyle before you are so quick to judge other people.


Lynn

[MightyMitre]

As it was me that actually steered the conversation round to shaving of pubic hair, I feel I need to respond. I initially asked riders which they found better, hair or bare, when it came to comfort and avoiding saddle sores.

In reply, riders told me which they favoured and what they found best for them in terms of comfort while cycling. In the course of the discussion a couple of riders mentioned that they preferred to be hair free in the pubic area and, in addition to aiding their cycling comfort, and in keeping with the generally light hearted nature of the forum, also mentioned they'd received positive feedback from husbands/partners.

Please correct me if I'm wrong here, but from reading peoples replies at no time have I got the impression that anyone has done anything as a result of pressure for either their partners or the pornography industry. I'd like to think the women on this site had better things to do that worry about what's going on in porno mags!

[missliz]

Thank you ladies, I had a few choice choice words for mr hughes but since I always shoot my mouth off first and hear back about it I held my toungue- till now.
I like an almost baldy hairdo- to put it bluntly, for aesthetic/ erotic reasons. I also like it to ride for the same reasons roadie guys shave- which actually has a lot of aesthetic/ erotic pay off too. (They know its hot!) I thought it was pretty clear in this thread that most of us do a lot of manicuring for this reason, and I find it insulting that you would imply that our husbands or gentlemen freinds are at the level of a bunch of pornographers. Does that make us a bunch of *****s? And high quality erotica does exist- I don't pursue it, but I do enjoy it when it shows up. Maybe you shouldn't rant about stereotypes. The reality is that the Bald Eagle has been with us since the dawn of civilization. And shaved heads are already kind of passe as a fashion statement, so maybe you should keep up.
Combined with the graphic explanation of how you like to ride your snatch raw and seem to delight in torturing yourself in the crotch, I wonder what's really up in your head. Saddle sores are an indication of a problem, not a norm. Get a checkup before you get blood poisoniong, get a decent fitting, and maybe you need to sit your grouchy overtrained mutilated privates down on the couch to heal and watch Sex And The City- I recommend season three. It covers the Brazillian. If that doesn't reconnect you with your inner female, there are other couches for you to try. You got issues... Do I say mister or lady? Work that out and let us know. While I'm sure we're all most tolerant of other peoples places on the spectrum, you don't have any right to insult other womens harmless naughty girl fun.

Lizzy

[administrator]

As entertaining and informative as this thread has been ;) lets see if we can steer it back towards the issue as it relates to cycling. Thanks!

[MightyMitre]

I have to agree with MissLiz - despite my own rant I'm also concerned to hear MrHughes is getting such terrible saddle sores. Sounds very painfull.

Have you been riding long? If not, then I certainly wouldn't put up with that level of discomfort. Even the best shorts in the world don't help much if you're bike set up is wrong.



The next step up is a blister that is caused by rubbing as one pedals uphill for 2 + hours... I was in Italy this summer and also did a mountain climb that took about the same time, but certainly didn't suffer any blistering, or come to think of it , even any chafing.

I'd urge you to think about getting a new saddle - or at the very least get your lbs to help you take a look at your bike set up , as I'd hate anyone to be suffering unnecessarly. :(

[Irulan]

The issue for me is not so much that some one had a POV that is different from mine, but that a personal opinion was not expressed in a manner that was respectful of differing points of view.

We disagree a lot of this board, but it's always been of a polite and respecful nature.
some suggestions, for those who need ideas ;-)

I disagree because I believe...

My personal opinion is...

That doesn't work for me because...

now get back on topic:

I"ve never experinced any saddle sores that were truly painful. I figure any one would get saddle sore on some of the epic mountain bike rides I do...

Irulan

[letty]

Veronica: Thank you!
I did not know that Bicycle Outfitters let you return washed shorts. I went to there on Friday after work when I saw your posting (they also have a sale this weekend) so decided to take advantage. They did not have the Castelli shorts (in my size) that you recommended. But everybody suggested I give a try to the 3D microsensor Pearl Izumi. I wore them yesterday on a 60 mile ride (not long enough). I should say that the cut was very comfortable for riding as the wicking material. The padding... I think I would have to wear them again to decide... not sure if there is a big difference with other shorts. I always find that you know after two or three long distance rides whether the shorts are good or not and I have accumulated a collection of them already.
Letty

[Veronica]

I really like The Bicycle Outfitter. We bought our tandem there - but alas they're about 70 miles from us. They really are fairly helpful and have a decent selection of women's stuff. I'm glad you liked the Pearl izumis. I tried a pair last year and felt the padding went too far down the inside of my leg. I have large quads and it just drove me nuts.

I talked to some folks at the Death valley century last week who are certifiably nuts. :D RAAM riders and Furnace Creek 508 racers. They crank out Double Centuries like it's nothing. Anyway I asked what they do to to keep their butts happy, 'cause at about the nine hour mark my butt is done, no matter what, and someday I'd like to do a Double. Their advice was more time on the saddle, shorts and a saddle that fits your particular anatomy, and lots of Chamois Butt'R. So there is no magic formula unfortunately.

Veronica

[missliz]

Actually- here's something interesting, and I'm really ticked about it. I never had chafing/ sore trouble 'till I atarted the comeback in earnest recently. While I was down and out I put on weight, a lot of it, and I had to break down and buy shorts in a W size. There, it's out. I finally sucked it up and spent some money on top of the line goods I hope not to get to wear out. It's an investment in getting my real body back, right? Except I have this accelerating chafing on my tush, not so bad at spin but yesterday I only lasted twenty minutes on the bike I was in such pain, had to go home and put lidocaine on my sit bone places- I'm sitting on the chamois seam. So I got out prewreckage shorts I loved in a size L and new shorts in a 16W, like 3 or 4 sizes apart, and measured. Why is the chamois in the fat shorts smaller than the one in the buff goddess shorts? Same brand. No wonder I hurt! I measured every pair I own, (found a jersey that fits!) and all the L's have inches more pad up the back. Shouldn't the bigger butt have the bigger chamois? I'm ticked, how am I going to ride it off like this? At eighty bucks a pop this is inexcusable!
Another interesting tidbit- fave high milage shorts from the day have a triangular pad with rounded corners that give LOTS of sitbone coverage. The ones that don't impress as much are oval shaped. Good to know.
So I'm taking a ruler shopping and hedge my bets. When I was thinner, I wondered why big people didn't just get some exercise. Even when you're big, I've found that muscle tone really makes you look better and life is easier. Now I know- we can't find decent stuff to wear.

Lizzy, very grouchy from a sore tushy

[pedalfaster]

Just wanted to chime in and say that (yet another) thing I love about this sport...MALES have to deal with shaving and trimming just like we do :D

So it's not a "women's issue" or a "guy thing", it's a "cyclist thing".

[Warren Chu]

I use Vaseline Petroleum Jelly to prevent saddle sores and it really works! Apply liberal amounts - the more the better it works.

[marni]

another factor, especially if you live in a warm and /or humid climate it is important to also get out of your shorts, washed off and out thoroughly and then wear cotton underpants ( yes I know they are not glamorous but it does help the area breath) and sleep with your bottom half bare or in loose cotton shorts to continue airing and drying out.

Another factor in saddle sores is toughening up the nether region by riding hours in the saddle, that of course with the usual caveat about saddle, bike fit and snugly fitting shorts.

[rebeccaC]

I've never had a saddle sore of any consequence even on a 300/400k brevet, overall sore yes! Clean shorts each ride, seamless chamois, Terry Butterfly, chamois cream and a well fitted bike has worked well for me.....and my being shaved is a personal preference and wasn't influenced by pornographers or anyone else. :p


The issue for me is not so much that some one had a POV that is different from mine, but that a personal opinion was not expressed in a manner that was respectful of differing points of view.

We disagree a lot of this board, but it's always been of a polite and respecful nature.


Well said and one of the reasons I like this forum!!!!



I use Vaseline Petroleum Jelly to prevent saddle sores and it really works! Apply liberal amounts - the more the better it works.

Using Vaseline can increased the risk of yeast and bacterial infections.

[hid558]

Hi
I always usually get saddle sore and the boils very often. On a resent thread related to shorts for hot weather I bought a pair of Sugoi Shorty shorts as I live in Puerto Rico and the weather is really hot. I am in love. To me this is the best padded short I have used. I have the Pearl Izumi shorts and the Shebeest which were my to go shorts. Pearl Izumi pads run down my thigh and maybe this rubbing is causing me to get the boils. I have ridden with the Sugoi and no problem at all. I think these have been the best combination of shorts with my saddle. Just my two cents on the topic, maybe its just the kind of padding on some shorts for some of us. Sugoi's have really small padding in the crotch area and don't bother me at all in the saddle. As for the hair topic. Can the girls who shave all let me know if that solved the boil problem?