Saddle sores

[alison_in_oh]

Sigh. I think it's my new saddle and its cushiness, but I've been suffering from saddle sores like crazy for the last few weeks. But one in particular is horrible. I keep messing with it which of course makes things worse. I use antibiotic ointment as often as possible and slather it on before rides, but it wears off quickly. Now I've got this angry, sore almost-zit like thing in the crease between my right cheek and thigh, and it WON'T go away! It didn't bother me too much during last night's two hour ride, but this morning on my short commute (without bike shorts) I was in agony!

I've done a search but much of the info was on prevention. How do you make it go away and still ride? Help?

[Pedal Wench]

I asked a woman who raced for T-Mobile - I figure if anyone would know, a pro-racer would! She suggested acne medicine. She has prescription strength stuff, but I went to the store and found the ones with the highest concentration of the active ingredients - one with benzoyl peroxide, and the other with salicylic acid (sorry about the spelling, but once you get to the acne section, you'll see that they all use these two products) The prescription ones combine both ingredients, but over-the-counter uses them seperately. I've used the benzyl peroxide by Neutrogene - I think it's called One Shot. If I felt the slightest hint of a sore, I used this and it's cleared up in the morning.

Obviously, use your own judgement - I'm not a doctor, and I don't even play one on TV.

To prevent them, I started using A&D ointment (diaper creme!) in that area that I was getting the sores. Not really under my sitbones, as a chamois creme, but in that area where the cheek meets the thigh. I don't know how well it works, because since I started using it, I haven't had a problem.


(edited for BIG spelling problems!)

[fixedgeargirl]

Are you using the antibiotic cream for every ride, or only since the sores developed? Is it a petroleum jelly-based preparation? Are you using it when you're not riding?

I haven't had to deal with this problem (thank the Goddess), but if acne prepartions are helpful, it sounds like something that needs to dry out and get some oxygen. Benzoyl peroxide is in acne goo b/c it delivers oxygen into an anerobic sore, killing off the anerobic bacteria.

Just found this: "Acne is formed when skin cells inside hair follicles shed too fast and clump together, plugging up the follicle and causing a pimple. Salicylic acid helps slow down shedding of the cells inside the follicles, preventing clogging. Salicylic acid also helps break down blackheads and whiteheads."

Seems if you're using a petroleum-based product it would keep the good oxygen from getting in there and killing off the buggies.

[DeniseGoldberg]

I had one of those nasty sores when I went in for a check-up, and my doc said that is was definitely acne. She gave me a prescription that got rid of the problem, and I haven't had it since. (Although it's probably just dumb luck...). Might be worth talking to your doc about going the prescription route.

--- Denise

[annerol]

when i first starting riding, i got REALLY bad very itchy sores all over my hips / butt. i went to my regular doc and then to a dermatologist. suffered three weeks, before i found the solution myself: warm baths w/ epsom salts and green bottle (not yellow) of gold bond medicated powder. this is after rides, refreshing powder serval times per day / night. cleared up in about two days, after three weeks of hell. i totally skipped the 2 prescriptions the dr gave me.
good luck!
anne

[alison_in_oh]

Are you using the antibiotic cream for every ride, or only since the sores developed? Is it a petroleum jelly-based preparation? Are you using it when you're not riding?

I used petroleum jelly for longer rides, probably starting when just the tiniest bit of irritation started showing up (that's what DH uses for chafing protection). Since the one sore got bad, I'm using Neosporin (petrolatum-based) ointment for rides, sometimes in the morning, often before bed.

Seems if you're using a petroleum-based product it would keep the good oxygen from getting in there and killing off the buggies.

Just today I read in roadbikerider about acne meds for early treatment of sores. I'm totally going that route next time, especially now that y'all tell me that salicylic acid (what I tend to have on hand) works as well as benzoyl peroxide (what they recommended)! But the current problem spot is very irritated and partially open now. I'll totally air it out when I get the chance though!

Thanks, guys.

[CorsairMac]

Obviously, use your own judgement - I'm not a doctor, and I don't even play one on TV.

yes - but did you stay in a Holiday Inn last night??

(yup, ya'll can tell when I ride at lunch can't ya!)

[Selkie]

Bag balm is good if you get chafed or irritated. Apparently, it has some antiseptic properties.

Every so often, I, too, get the type of saddle sores you describe. I've used hydrogen peroxide on them and it clears them right up.

[SandyLS]

I just talked to my Dr. yesterday about these kinds of problems. She does long distance bikeing and recommends Gold Bond Medicated Cream. I bought some today but haven't tried it out.

[LBTC]

ah. the dreaded zittus butticus. get 'em often. the answer: Jason Tea Tree Gel. It's all natural, and zaps them but (no pun in tended) fast.

Tea Tree Soothing Gel
Nature’s Soothing Relief with Arnica and Marigold

http://www.jason-natural.com/html/sun_aloe_tea.html

hey, I get them all over the cheeks, , including in the spot you describe, so after every ride, shorts come off right away....I always bring a change of clothes! Makes me feel like a geek to be the girl in the skirt when the guys are all still wearing their shorts and dust, but hey, my bum is happier this way!

Namaste,
~T~

[alison_in_oh]

ah. the dreaded zittus butticus. get 'em often. the answer: Jason Tea Tree Gel. It's all natural, and zaps them but (no pun in tended) fast.

HA! Last night in the shower (before reading this) I was trying to decide how best to get that area clean when I looked over at my facial soap: pure castille with essential oils of tea tree and lavender. A-HA! I washed with that. Aired out for a bit. Put a dab of antiseptic but left it open to the air. This morning it's loads better!

(Of course, the other thing I did differently yesterday was NOT go for a bike ride...but for now I'll blame it on the tea tree! )

FWIW, the sores in creases seem different from the usual "butt-ne" which is why I never thought to treat them as such. But so far so good!

[RoadRaven]

LOL - I didn't think of tea tree... we call it manuka and kanuka over here as it grows
Heaps of tea-tree products in the shops here - it didn't occur to me it had travelled overseas...

Manuka Honey, if you have that in your shops too, is great for sore throats - 1 teaspoonfull in the morning - brilliant

Glad your bits are feeling a tad better, Alison

[Pedal Wench]

.... Makes me feel like a geek to be the girl in the skirt when the guys are all still wearing their shorts and dust, but hey, my bum is happier this way!

Namaste,
~T~

Brilliant! I never thought about a skirt!!! I hate driving home after a ride in my shorts, 'cause I know it will cause a problem, but couldn't figure out how to change into a pair of clean shorts. A SKIRT! Perfect! Pull it on, off come the nasty shorts, and drive home! What a great idea!!!