Butter Question

[withm]

I have very sensitive skin and tons of allergies, esp to anything with perfume in it.

I have used Chamois Buttr for nearly every ride. I put it "all over" esp at the creases. It is magic stuff. Never a problem. If I am only doing a 10 mile ride I won't bother, but it is worth twice the price as far as I'm concerned. If I forget to bring it I will start feeling irritation after about an hour. So not only do I really make an effort to remember to apply it before a ride, I also keep a couple of sandwich baggies with a squirt of chamois butter in the corner, all rolled up in my handlebar bag should I need to reapply on a long ride, or if I wipe too much away on a pit stop. The baggie method is great - just turn it inside out and the baggie becomes your applicator, so you have clean hands afterward. When done, just turn it back inside out and throw away, or put in your pocket to throw when you get to a trash can. Typically I'll make up a bunch of these at a time, so I always have some handy. Much cheaper than buying the "individual servings." And very handy if you are commuting to work.

[Wahine]

I used to have frequent UTIs but I solved that problem before I started riding a lot. It came down to not letting myself get dehydrated, not hanging out in wet swim suits etc, peeing immediately after having sex and drinking cranberry juice regularly.

Since I've been riding long, I have been using chamois butt'r and no problems. I am quite liberal with application. But also still observe the guidelines above, don't get dehydrated, pee right after a ride and get out of my shorts immediately.

Withm: thanks for the tip on homemade individual packs, I will put that to good use!!

[SouthernBelle]

uhh... careful with the TT oil. *shiver* it's... uh... well... you'll get it.

I like that part.

[Brandi]

Something I've been meaning to post about. I'm post-menopausal which causes dryness and irritation, esp when I ride. I did a little research and have recently started using a cream with teatree oil. the oil is a natural anti-inflammatory and is also a fungicide. I love this stuff. I plan on investing in a teatree oil soap too. This is more of an after ride thing, so I'm not saying not to use a butter. But I've been meaning to pass this info along.

I have a friend that makes a wonderful teatree oil soap that is all natural if you are interested I would be happy to set some up for you. I stopped using store brand soap about 4 years ago when I discovered my friends soap. Pm me and we will talk or if there is anyone else interested.

[khgulledge]

i think the chamois butt'r is too liquidy. i have been using Queen Helene's Cocoa Butter (at walmart) since october and haven't had any more problems. i apply liberally (in other words, slather it on!) to the panty line area of my butt. really, don't be skimpy on the amount you use. it'll feel weird at first, but it really works!

[aicabsolut]

I haven't used any of the butt'rs yet because I haven't done really long rides. At the worst, I'd put something protective like triple antibiotic ointment on the creases by my inner thighs where I can get some chafing.

As for witch hazel and tea tree oil, all that comes to mind is *burning*.. nothing pleasant. Like when you use a muscle rub on your thighs and the vapors get a little too close for comfort.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I can't imagine why using any of these mentioned lotions and creams on the outside would give anyone yeast infections. I think if you keep reasonably clean, drink lots of water and pee frequently, that might help prevent yeast infections. But I don't think you can get them from using external creams....allergies maybe, but surely not yeast infections?

[RoadRaven]

My partner and eldest son regularly do over 100km rides each week as part of their training and as a resultoften have sore bums and saddle sores/infected follicles are reoccurring problems.

My question is to do with this - I watched "Hell on Wheels" for the first time last night (it follows the T-Mobile on the 2003 Tour de France). One the 'minders' that took care of Rolf and Erik that year that massaged etc them, also smeared their chamois' with some kind of butter and talked about the importance of getting it evenly spread etc etc...

So, my question... does anyone know what the name of that preparation is, or what its ingredients are.

Everything we have used so far smears into creases etc - that is, straight onto the skin.
It would be great to have something else to assist in the ongoing battles for comfort.

Thanks, Raven

[Crankin]

I started having terrible pain problems when I got my new bike. Two saddles later (I switched back to the first new one recently), I think it was a combination of things. I started using the butt'r and it does help immensly on long rides. I use it everywhere and have had no issues with infections. But, I still was having severe pain in the girly area, so when i went for my annual exam, I told my doc. It seems like the post menopausal problem of thin, dry membranes was really affecting my cycling and when I got my new bike, somehow the slightly different geometry made my seat which i had loved for years aggravate this. I started using an estring, which is like those birth control loops, that supplies a teeny amount of localized estrogen to the vaginal area. My doctor told me that oncologists allow their post mastectomy patients to use it, so it is not like taking oral estrogen. After about 3 months, the issue is completely vanished. Hopefully, i won't have to use it forever, but it was actually getting to the point of making me want to stop riding. I still use Butt'r on longer rides (more than 30 miles) and it just makes the ride feel better.