Has anyone tried diaper cream?

Hi all.

My bum (and I use that term broadly) was pretty sore after a long ride (80 miles!!! my longest ride to date:)) yesterday, so I decided to try some of my son's diaper cream, Calmoseptine ... figured what works for the goose ... And it worked great!!! I can barely even tell I rode yesterday down there!!

I don't know if this is common knowledge, but I thought I would share that little trick with everyone since I stumbled upon it.

By the way, Calmoseptine is sold behind the counter in the pharmacy, but you don't need a prescription ... (and if you happen to have a baby, it's the best diaper cream I found out there)

I suppose it doesn't help your sitz bones though? :p

Now THAT would be a money maker. How is that cream different than like Desitin?

I (and others) have used diaper ointment for a while, too. It doesn't do much for me for single rides, but if I have to ride on multiple days in the heat and will be sweating lots (or if I ride in the rain with wet shorts) it really reduces the irritation.

The one I have is whatever was available at the French pharmacy (over the counter) of Grenoble where I was cycling for four consecutive days in the pouring rain a couple of years ago. That tube is lasting forever.

Does it wash out easily? I've used A&D and Aquaphor in the past, but neither of them wash out, and both are so thick that they make the hair clump. But I haven't found the "perfect" chamois creme yet.

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

Does it wash out easily? I've used A&D and Aquaphor in the past, but neither of them wash out, and both are so thick that they make the hair clump. But I haven't found the "perfect" chamois creme yet.

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Hmm, "easily" I wouldn't quite say that. I don't really care about the occasional leftover (after washing) white streaks on the inside, but if you put a lot on you some of the cream can seep through the fabric and leave sort of a faint white shadow. It goes away after a wash or two. In my case I really have to look closely to notice, though.

No, it doesn't do anything for the bones, unfortunately :( I didn't use it as a chamois creme, just a small amount after riding to soothe the skin irritation. So, washing out isn't too much of an issue.

As for Desitin and other diaper ointments, I have used those for my son's diaper rash but he did not respond well (ie, they stung him). The Calmoseptine always seemed to work quickly to clear up skin irritations, so that's what I kept around the house. Apparently, it is used for a range of skin irritations ... http://www.calmoseptineointment.com/

That does look like a cure all. Is it like neosporin? I break out in a rash with neosporin, which would be bad if I put it on sore spots from riding. :o I'd really be itchy then.

I just bought Body Glide and it has worked wonderfully. It goes on clear, not greasy or oily, just very smooth. I love it. Also works on any area of your body that rubs like feet/toes, nipples, underarms or thighs. I highly recommend it.

Hi everyone. I recently found the BEST stuff to use on my long distance rides. I ride almost every single day - 25-75 miles usually, with my local bike club. I had used Assos Chamois Cream for about 3 years, and really loved it. All natural product, and washes out quick and clean. Keeps you friction-free for miles without re-applying during a long distance ride. But what I found on long, hot and humid days that my chamois was so wet that it was just yukky. And applying more of the cream, mid ride just made it yukk-ier! I buy high quality bike shorts (several brands/styles) that all advertise the pad will ventilate well and stay dry. But they really don't. Yeah, on the 20 mile rides maybe. So I was talking to an Esthetician one day and she said use powder with talc. She said that it is the moisture that is accumulating in and around your saddle contact points, when you sweat, and it gets moist then it causes friction and you get sores. Keep it dry and you won't end up with those sore pimple-like sores and clogged pores and infected hairs. As many 'creams' will do, especially if they have vitamin E in the ingredients. (It clogs pores). I went into a Whole Foods Store (in Boulder, CO) and bought a can of Anti Monkey Butt Powder. http://www.antimonkeybutt.com/ambfaqs.html There are several places that will sell it on line, Google for some more of those sites.
Well, I'll tell you that stuff is fabulous. I left with this and I rode everyday in the Rocky Mountains for a week (60-100 mile rides), and I never got any sores 'down there'. I sprinkle some powder on my hand and place it on both inner sides of the legs up in the crotch area. I also tend to sweat under the bra band and so I place some under each breast too. Things just stay so dry and comfortable. This Monkey Butt Powder has talc and some calamine in it. It is a sweat absorber and friction fighter! And it is great too because it doesn't leave a mess on your shorts like some of those thick diaper creams that don't rinse out well. I was my shorts out by hand every day after the ride when I'm on these multi-day bike tours and there is no gunk to wash off when using this Monkey Butt Powder. Just another thing on powder. I had tried Johnson&Johnson Baby Powder several years ago, and didn't like it at all. This Anti Monkey Butt Powder is different, and really does what it is suppose to do. Lots of motorcyclists, horseback riders, truckers, hikers use this powder. Is see from reading about it that it was developed by people who actually are bike riders!
Just a general note on saddle sores - it is so important that you have your saddle in the right position on your bike. If you haven't had a good professional bike fit, that can make a huge difference. If your sits bones aren't sitting just right on the saddle because the fore and aft position and height of the saddle are not correct you will get sores or be just uncomfortable. Even the reach to your handle bars, if it isn't right, can affect how you feel in your saddle area. I've also found some pads, even though the quality shorts don't have 'seams' in the crotch area these days some of those pads just don't hit you right in the sensitive areas and inner legs area and it can cause friction down there that make you miserable. Some pad fabric are just more abrasive too. For me I found the Sugoi RS Short is best in my saddle contact areas.
Hope some of this helps. . .
Happy riding, summer's going fast here in the USA!

Preparation H works well also. Its an anti-inflammatory and lube.

I've used Boudreaux's Butt Paste in the past with success

Now that's an intriguing name, Anti-Monkey Butt Powder. Too bad I don't have time to order it before my big ride!

My sister is taking a chemo drug that impacts healing, and she's had a cut just below her breast that she had for months. I finally told her to try Boudreaux's butt paste on it (per a coworker's advice, and after her trying everything her pharmacist husband and her oncologist could think of). It healed in 3 days. She now calls it "the Boudreaux's miracle" and can't wait for her next oncologist's appt so she can tell him what she used, because as she jokes "he embarrasses so easily". :)

two thumbs up from my family for the butt paste. ;)

I love hearing my mother in law ask "where's the butt paste???" when they are changing my daughter. I think she just likes to say butt paste, I can tell.

Anyway, it's in a yellow tube and you can get it at Target. I think it washes out pretty easily, I've never had a problem w/it. Usually I use Chamois B'tr but I could use either really.

Is it in the baby department?

SO glad to have found this string of posts!

I've used Boudreaux's for a while on the recommendation of a female cyclist friend. It has worked okay for the occasional sore that used to open up between the butt cheeks (this is just among us girls, right?), but didn't do much on long rides.

I just tried Chamois Butt'r on an 80-mile ride Saturday, and it seemed to help with the groin friction some. But I was also breaking in a new saddle (Terry Falcon), and it's hard to tell how much of the soreness I had afterwards might have been the saddle. I did reapply a couple of times at food stops (I put some in a ziploc bag so I didn't have to carry a big brand-new tube).

The instructions on the Chamois stuff say to rub it into your chamois after washing the shorts. I assume they mean REAL chamois pads, and mine are all synthetic stuff so I don't know if I'm going to do that. Seems like it would just sit there, rather than make the stuff more supple and forgiving as I expect it does with actual leather.

A tri guy I know told me that they apply so much stuff it oozes out their shorts--uck.

I'm going to look for the Monkey Butt now and try that--an easy segue from Butt Paste to Monkey Butt.

My only concern is that I seem to remember hearing years ago that talc isn't good for the vaginal area for some reason. Whatever I read made me stop my baby powdering habit (this was pre-cycling days; I just thought it kept me baby fresh). Anyone else have something on this?

I'm now going to look for threads that discuss saddle brands, as I'm not sure the Falcon and I are going to be best friends. I commute daily and ride longer distances on weekends with my husband (and a few spinervals evenings on the trainer indoors). This seat is a step up from the standard one that came on my Specialized Dolce. I'd love to hear recommendations.

--barb

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Originally Posted by BiketoWork Barb

My only concern is that I seem to remember hearing years ago that talc isn't good for the vaginal area for some reason. Whatever I read made me stop my baby powdering habit (this was pre-cycling days; I just thought it kept me baby fresh). Anyone else have something on this?

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I'm just going from memory, but seems like a link was found with cancer -- cervical, perhaps?

Emily

Real talc contains asbestos fibers, so obviously it's implicated in all kinds of cancers. I don't think you can even buy it any more though - read the labels, but AFAIK it's all cornstarch now.

Which, you can buy THAT in the baking aisle, without the irritating scents, for about a quarter of the price :rolleyes:

Sorry for the highjack, but I gotta know....

I do use some powder to deal with friction and minor moisture when I wear skirts, but I don't know how that would work for cycling. I mean, I produce a LOT of sweat on a ride. When I come back, my shorts, bra, and top will be completely soaked. I just figured a powder would only work until it got saturated -- which for me, would be about 10 minutes. Are any of you who use the powder heavy sweaters? Or does it still work when you are wet?

It's also weird to me that chamois are advertised as fast drying, etc.... Is is just me??? My chamois gets totally soaked when I ride, AND it's still wet an hour or two later when I go gather things up and get them in the washer.

Okay, back to your regular thread content....
Christy (the freakish sweating girl)

I use powder, and it doesn't work with heavy workouts!

"...it's all cornstarch now...."

Interesting. I now recall that my Dad, who used to drive a delivery truck, and got very hot and sweaty running in and out of the truck with his deliveries, used to load up his bottom with cornstarch. Must have done something for him!

"Real talc contains asbestos fibers, so obviously it's implicated in all kinds of cancers. I don't think you can even buy it any more though - read the labels, but AFAIK it's all cornstarch now."

Okay, now I'm concerned - my bottle of baby powder lists one ingrediant -- TALC! I am really hoping that this is somehow different from the talc of which you speak -- I use this stuff several times a week...maybe no longer?!

Thanks Smilie -- I thought maybe I was just very unusual with the powder/sweating thing.

:eek: OMG - i work in indoor air quality, and as far as i know, asbestos is barely used in ANYTHING any more, only in some very specific applications...

as for my "monkey butt" :D
i use the diaper rash stuff - works awesome...and prep H if i have any saddle sores, also works well.

I tried the diaper rash stuff as "preventative" measure when i was riding this weekend, and it seemed to work...no butt issues!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

Real talc contains asbestos fibers, so obviously it's implicated in all kinds of cancers. I don't think you can even buy it any more though - read the labels, but AFAIK it's all cornstarch now.

Which, you can buy THAT in the baking aisle, without the irritating scents, for about a quarter of the price :rolleyes:

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Oh heavens, I think one of my first posts on TE was about how in the world to get Desitin diaper rash ointment out of my bike shorts chamois. I even went to their web site, etc. My shorts are still in the closet ruined. Mine started to seep through on the black and I had skunk butt:o. It did indeed help the skin. I used it on my kids religiously, and it stuck to their skin like glue (in a good way). But, if I got it on the onsie... clothes toast. Now, I just use regular Chamois Buter. It doesn't last like Desitin, but I carry the packets, and put A LOT on to start.

Nowadays talc is not likely to be contaminated with asbestos as it was in the past, but asbestiform fibers and quartz are still a concern. Here's a link to a meta-analysis of studies on the relationship between perineal use of talc and lung and ovarian cancer (pdf) - conclusion: limited evidence, possible carcinogenicity. I sure wouldn't use it.

I decided to try some some pure cornstarch for a 50 mile ride this weekend in heat with lots of hills. I found that it did help keep me drier throughout the ride and the next morning I did't find the usual crop of many new red bumps - a few yes, but my bottom was much happier than usual.

I'm currently experimenting with adding a little tea tree oil to my usual (aka whatever's on sale) chamois cream in order to keep the red bumps at bay. Tomorrow's commute will be the first on-bike test.

A little late to the party... but a zinc and caster oil preparation from the chemist. In the baby section. Real cheap and extremely effective.

Maybe thats whats in all the "names" listed above - but this one has no special name, no extra smelly stuff and comes in a big plastic pot with a simple lable declaring "Zinc & Caster Oil".

Use it before races, and after also.

Boy, I wish I had read this thread earlier. I can't believe I bought a tube of Chamois Butt'r when I have a TUB of Boudreaux's butt paste in the house, and I've been known to use it before for chaffing. What was I thinking? Good stuff, that. And it washes out easily.

Cornstarch vs. talc--we used cornstarch powder on the kids because we were told it was safer, but then we discovered that cornstarch powder can lead to or exacerbate yeast infections since it gives the yeast something to feed on, so if you have a tendency towards yeast infections you might want to stay away from cornstarch in your shorts.

Sarah