hygiene questions

[makbike]

Thanks, Annie. Your response has generated some additional questions. My doctor does not want me to use anything that has perfumes or additives - strict petroleum jelly for things are pretty raw and irrated at this point in the game. She mentioned that perfumes/additives would only make the current situation worse. Do the products you mentioned contain perfumes or additives that might irrate already irrated skin?

thanks!

[Eden]

My husband and I just got a tin of Bag Balm to try out and I've looked at a the ingredients. Its mostly petroleum jelly with some lanolin and hydroxy quinoline sulfate (what ever that is), but in any case even being mosty pj it seems to wash out of our shorts just fine with no damage to the chamois. I've also not noticed it being particularly difficult to wash off of my body either. It has a very slight odor of lanolin, but no heavy perfumes

[Selkie]

Bag Balm works fine. It's a lot cheaper then Chamois Buttr, too.

[Aint Doody]

You might want to read a thread from back last summer called Does Chamois Buttr really work. I started that one and after all the potions and lotions found that the answer is a good saddle and good shorts. I do think some of the things like Replens and the creams that are applied internally help, too. Is your doctor a cyclist? Is she about your age? I'm 57 and when I finally got the right saddle (I hope) all the problems ended. I'd had real soreness in the soft tissue, but it seems okay now. I'm not really riding that much in these winter months, but when I have been out I've noticed a marked improvement. Good luck!!!

[Grog]

As far as I know, none of the cycling-specific products are scented. They're meant to be used down there, and cyclists being pretty close to each other when they ride, I'm sure no one would like the cyclist behind him/her to smell what kind of chamois cream they're using. "Oh, is that Chanel #10 Chamois cream?"

I've used zinc cream just like that used to prevent diaper rash (quite cheap) in multi-days rides with very hot and humid weather when my skin would go raw because the chamois couldn't evacuate the sweat anymore. Not sure what it would do for more intimate irritation, though, I was just hurting at the crease of the leg. Anyway, the stuff was white (as you know if you have a baby) and washed out perfectly. I always turn my shorts inside out when I wash them, no matter the circumstances in which they were worn. I kind of imagine vaseline as being more pleasant to apply, and less likely to leave marks on the OUTSIDE of your shorts!

[makbike]

Unfortunately, the irration is both internally and externally. Internally, the thin layer of protective skin has been rubbed away resulting in a lot of discomfort (my doctor likened it to a fresh blister that has had the skin removed ). Externally, the skin is cracking, inflammed and equally as irrated. My doctor thinks it is a result of using birth control pills, my age (44), repeated use of antibiotics over the years and having too much fun with the BF. I've been given a drug called vagifem to use nightly (vaginally) for the next ten days in hopes of encouraging new skin growth, no fun with the BF for the next 20 days . I'm also to apply vitamin E ointment externally several times a day and I'm to douche with buttermilk every other day starting 11 days from today using the vagifem on the opposite days. In addition to all of that I'm to use the vasoline whenever I get on my bike in hopes of protecting the healing tissues as well as attempting to keep any moisture out. Sorry if this is too much information but I thought it might be helpful in answering the questions I posted earlier. I'm a bit hesitant to use anything that is scented or contains other additives given the sensitivity of the situation.

Thanks again!

[snapdragen]

makbike - you might also try vitamin A&D ointment. It's usually sold where the baby stuff is. It helps me when I've developed sore spots.

[Pedal Wench]

With the level of irritation you have, avoid the Assos Creme - I've never used it, but I've heard there's a bit of menthol in it --- ouch!

I'm about your age, and I usually use either Chamois Butt'r or A&D ointment, with no side effects or irritation