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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
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    10,889

    Serious chafing - non bike-related

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    I've got a problem that I've tried to solve for months and nothing seems to work, obviously I just haven't found the solution.

    I've some serious chafing in my undercarriage area, but it isn't chamois or saddle related - for which I am most very thankful. Indeed the bike doesn't impact it at all. It is further north than that, where the stomach transitions to the pubic area - right at that very edge.

    Has anyone else had this? Did you find a solution? Any kind of cream or lotion just stings something terrible, and I am afraid that powder of any kind wouldn't help outside of making a mess. I've even thought about diaper rash cream when I've been most frustrated with this but that is for a different purpose entirely. Tips or tricks?

    No seams or elastic hit me there...

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
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    4,516
    You might want to see a doc. I've had some topical infections (don't know if they were fungal or bacterial), and they didn't clear until I got the appropriate cream (steriod/something?). One summer, I had one that just wouldn't go away. I would also try to keep it as open and breathable as possible (as you would with saddle issues) - i.e., sleep in a nightshirt and pass on undergarments.

    Otherwise - no idea. That sounds miserable.
    Most days in life don't stand out, But life's about those days that will...

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Denver, CO
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    110
    Might it possibly be a heat rash? I've started to develop one on my chest under my bra line, along the rib cage on the left. Despite not being a "chafing" prone area, it's one that probably collects sweat, and might need some additional air, perhaps?

    The doc idea isn't a bad one, either...
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  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
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    10,889
    Yeah, the doc might be a good idea. Sigh...

    It's been going on for a long time, and I used to think it had to do with my very large weight loss but am beginning to wonder. I was curious if anyone here was familiar with something like this. I hate to spend a co-pay on it but you know, sometimes ya gotta do it!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Location
    the dry side
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    4,365
    I got some really crazy chafing at the top of my butt crack from doing a bazillion crunches with a certain pair of tights....I still have scarring from it. I told my trainer and she was all "Yeah, that happens sometimes". That was a new one on me.
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  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
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    Maybe a fungal or yeast infection. Try something with clotrimazole in it, like Lotrimin. That is what my doc recommended to me when I had a similar problem to what you describe. It was a bear to get ride of.
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  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
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    Uncanny Valley
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    14,498
    A former client of mine was prone to yeast infections in that area. I second trying an antifungal, if you haven't already.
    Speed comes from what you put behind you. - Judi Ketteler

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
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    10,889
    Good idea about an anti-fungal, I will pick one up tomorrow. Hadn't thought about trying that route, can't hurt! Thanks for the idea! As long as this has been going on that would make sense, and those things don't go away by themselves. If this doesn't work in a reasonable time period I will see my doctor. I've allowed embarrassment to make me ignore this for many months too long
    Last edited by Catrin; 06-12-2012 at 02:54 AM.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
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    I was giggling as I pictured you riding your bike in a loose Muu Muu. I remember when my DS was a baby and I thought he had diaper rash and my Mom looked at it and knew right away it was yeast infection. Air and a good anti fungal cream cleared it up right away
    Sky King
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  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
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    Central Indiana
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    When you say chafing, do you mean that you have a rash or just raw skin? Does it itch?

    When I was trending toward over-suppression with my anti-thyroid medicine, i.e., when I was trending towards mild hypothyroidism, I had a somewhat persistent itchy rash on my lower stomach. It's not an uncommon side effect of being hypo. Is it possible that your levels are off?
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  11. #11
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
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    Big City
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    Quote Originally Posted by Catrin View Post
    Good idea about an anti-fungal, I will pick one up tomorrow. Hadn't thought about trying that route, can't hurt!
    Unless you are allergic to it, like I am. Which I unfortunately found out when my little greyhound puppy had ringworm and I had to apply it to his lesions twice daily plus bathe him in ketoconazole shampoo. I have a small lesion on my skin as well in a weird place - halfway down the inside of my right forearm - but it doesn't spread or change, it just flakes off skin and looks red and angry. And itches sometimes. I've tried just about everything and it won't go away.

    And keep in mind if you try OTC stuff - if you think it's fungal, it will take a while to resolve. If it's not fungal, then my next step would be to use a cortisone cream. It may not cure it but you can see if the inflammation can go down enough your body can get a handle on it.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sky King View Post
    I was giggling as I pictured you riding your bike in a loose Muu Muu. I remember when my DS was a baby and I thought he had diaper rash and my Mom looked at it and knew right away it was yeast infection. Air and a good anti fungal cream cleared it up right away
    Sky King - I can see me in a Muu Muu on the mtb trail

    Quote Originally Posted by indysteel View Post
    When you say chafing, do you mean that you have a rash or just raw skin? Does it itch?

    When I was trending toward over-suppression with my anti-thyroid medicine, i.e., when I was trending towards mild hypothyroidism, I had a somewhat persistent itchy rash on my lower stomach. It's not an uncommon side effect of being hypo. Is it possible that your levels are off?
    No apparent rash, lots of redness, raw skin sometimes, sometimes it itches terribly, sometimes not at all. It comes and goes but never goes all the way. It was painful and quite aggravated in the shower Sunday after my 2 hour mtb ride so I suspect that some portion of my shorts or perhaps the upper edge of my chamois was hitting it. I am more bent over on the mtb than on my Gunnar.

    Quote Originally Posted by westtexas View Post
    ...
    And keep in mind if you try OTC stuff - if you think it's fungal, it will take a while to resolve. If it's not fungal, then my next step would be to use a cortisone cream. It may not cure it but you can see if the inflammation can go down enough your body can get a handle on it.
    Thanks Westtexas, I don't think I am allergic to it. I have a VERY strong cortisone cream I use for psoriasis but I would visit my doctor before considering using it down there It is too close to my girly bits...If the anti-fungal I just picked up doesn't really help I will head to my doctor...

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
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    Rowland Hts, CA
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    Quote Originally Posted by Catrin View Post

    .... I used to think it had to do with my very large weight loss but am beginning to wonder.
    I am proud of your weight loss! Amazing what biking can do for your health.
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  14. #14
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    Nov 2009
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    Quote Originally Posted by TigerMom View Post
    I am proud of your weight loss! Amazing what biking can do for your health.
    Biking and weights and biking and spinning class and biking and cross-training and biking and eating properly...


  15. #15
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    Apr 2011
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    I didn't clarify in my last post that not all anti-fungal products target every fungus. Some get the yeast ones and some don't. The ones with clotrimazole will get most of the fungi, including yeast, according to my doc.

    I had such an issue with itching and the external yeast infection that I had to apply the antifungal and then on top of it use cortisone cream. I did that twice a day for a month.
    Trek Madone 4.7 WSD
    Cannondale Quick4
    1969 Schwinn Collegiate, original owner
    Terry Classic


    Richard Feynman: “The first principle is that you must not fool yourself and you are the easiest person to fool.”

 

 

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