Saddle Sores

[Jiffer]

Yes, another thread about saddle sores. I know there was one recently and that what prompted me to get some A&D ointment today. I was already having some issues with soreness under the labia (sorry so graphic!), but now I'm also experiencing chafing around the outside in a few places. So, I have the A&D on right now, but I'm wondering what the "procedure" is. Those of you who use A&D, what do you do? Seems like a good thing to have on as much as I can stand it during the day with regular clothes on, but I would imagine mostly at night. Basically, as much as possible to promote healing.

And then I figured I'd put some on before a ride (duh!), but also with Chamois Buttr? Or is it fine all by itself? I'm looking into other products to maybe use in place of Chamois Buttr. I've been reading about DZNuts and Nubutte, both with natural ingredients that help promote healing as well as lubrication to prevent further irritation.

Any thoughts on any products are welcome. I'm leaning toward Nubutte right now. It does seem so expensive, though. $20 for 3 oz, but I read you use less than most chamois creams. Does this even out the price difference? Does anyone know? DZNuts is about the same price for the same quantity.

[ilima]

Messy, but I made up a batch of Keith Bontrager's chamois cream as mentioned in Outside magazine. Vaseline is the base, so the stuff isn't water-soluble. I apply in generously to the areas where I need it, and the stuff works.

Tub o' vaseline (13oz)
1oz triple antibiotic
1oz hydrocortisone
1oz lanolin (found in the breast feeding section of drugstores/wally world)

[OakLeaf]

Give me a few days here for a review of Nubutte. I just got a tub of it, but haven't had a chance to ride. I was going to do the club ride today but I got a call last night that one of the aerobics instructors needed a sub this morning As soon as I get a chance to use it (and do the laundry - an essential part of the review!) I'll post my impressions.

ETA: ilima, I definitely would not apply those ingredients regularly! Healing active saddle sores is one thing, but not as a chamois cream to use every ride. Cortisone thins the skin which is already thin in that area anyhow, and it is also absorbed through the skin - in small occasional amounts that's not a problem, but regularly it could be. And as others have said, there's no reason to use an antibiotic when you don't have a stubborn infection, it just kills the natural flora down there and breeds resistant bacteria.

[han-grrl]

I use diaper rash stuff for some prevention

as well as Preparation H...i read it in Bicycling once - i guess it has some kind of shtuff in it to reduce inflammation, i find it does help make them go away...

[Jiffer]

Thanks for the replies. I'd love to wait for the review of Nubutte, but I'm doing a century next Saturday and would like to get something before then, so I just ordered some today and will have to try it myself. Thanks for the comments on not using Cortisone, etc. every day. Makes sense. I guess that's what I like about the idea of Nubutte. It has healing properties about it, but all natural, so I'm guessing you CAN use it every day?

I'd still love to hear other comments. I know someone said they were trying DZNuts and I'd love to hear how that is going.

I do feel like my soreness and chafing are better since using A&D as of yesterday. Haven't ridden yet, but have two long rides over the next two days.

[Jiffer]

A&D is definitely helping heal my sores. Yay! I was going to get a chance to test it out today on a long ride, but my friend fell at mile 13. Went to the hospital instead. Luckily, a friend came with sweat pants and flip flops for my other friend and I so we didn't have to hang out at the hospital with cycling shorts and shoes on! I wanted to get out of my shorts asap. Not only did I have the A&D on, but the Chamois Buttr, so I was nice and greased up down there! Nice! Tomorrow we're doing 65, so I'll report my saddle sore progress after that.

So far, I'm glad I bought A&D.