Saddle sores

duckfoot1606

An observation if like me you struggle with the above. The subject has been well covered in previous posts and I have tried all the usual methods to resolve, change shorts each ride, gentle laundry detergent, ensure impecabble toilet hygiene, saddle position fore and aft/nose up/down, saddle height etc, you all know the score.

None of this worked for me and I got to thinking about the way I sit on the saddle, which felt as if I was slightly biased to the left. Almost in desperation I tried rotating the nose of the saddle to the right, a few mm out of parallel with the top tube, when looked at from above.

Bingo, been sore free for a month now. If the other methods above don't work for you, its another thing to try.

A

Pirahna

Is this soreness just soreness, or puss filled boils which require hospital treatment? I've been on the receiving end of the latter and it's not very funny.

Lagavulin

I ocassionally get saddle sores, some to the extent that they get scabs on them which I presume is pretty bad.

I, like yourself, have tried allsorts. I've got padded shorts, I've got padded undershorts, I've worn those under none-padded tights, I've got padded tights which I've worn with and without a padded undershorts, andI've used an unknown Spesh BG saddle and a Spesh Toupe BG Gel.

I'm alright for a couple of hours be it out on the road or on the turbo. I make sure I get out of the saddle now and again regardless of the terrain to give my @r$e a rest but after about 3 hours I still start to feel tender you know where.

I've varied the pitch, height and front/rear position ofthe saddle to no rela affect. found a position I'm comfortable with and its good albeit for a couple of hours. I can go for longer its just I know i'll suffer and need a long soak with Radox when I'm done.

I'm riding an Allez Sport '06. I've personally never been on it for more than five hours but I'm sure its not the bikes fault.

Like I said, ive had a couple of sores that in the extreme circumstances have scabbed over but I've never had puss-filled boils. Now that sounds pretty horrific.

duckfoot1606

These are the real deal, zits that do not pop if you try and squeeze them They aways seem to appear along the line of the leg elastic in briefs, odd as I go commando under my cycling shorts (another prerequisite to try and avoid these things). I've subsequently changed to trunks with no improvement, either. At least I've not had to go to hospital yet, although I have resorted to home lancing in the past :twisted: I'll spare you the gory details of that.

A

geoffnelder

I just hurt down there after about 40 miles or so. As you say even with applying the creams, wearing the advised gear and being clean, etc.

Then when I investigated a new bike for my 60th birthday the shop discovered my Dawes Super Galaxy might be a size too big for me. I've been putting lean forward pressuer on my crotch alll these years cos of a bike too big!

Geoff

Cajun

although I haven't experienced boils/sores since finding Bodyglide ( http://www.djmproducts.co.uk/PRODUCTS/H ... ister.html ),
this is what I did to eliminate boils:
3-4oz of Vinegar placed in microwave, heated for about 15 seconds.
Saturate small cotton pad (same as what wife uses to remove makeup).
Place hot, saturated pad on boil (the hotter the better...).
Repeat 3-4 times; reheating vinegar each time.
The first application will be painful; the 2nd - 4th times will be less painful...(although your claw marks on the ceiling and your tears will have to be attended to)
This procedure will bring the boil to a head....wait 15-30 minutes, then:
Place two fingers and your thumb 'below' boil and apply an upward squeeze from the 3 points to bring discharge to a release...this discharge is CAUSTIC (contaigous??) and must be removed/sanitized from the skin....leaving it on the skin will spread the boil and may 'burn' the skin.
Vinegar is an Antiseptic and Antibiotic, so after cleansing the areas, Vinegar or Alcohol should be used to cleanse the areas...
If the next day indicates that 'all is not well', repeat the above..
Place bandaid over boil and begin cycling....
I've used this method with success, but found Bodyglide and haven't had any problems since..

Mike Willcox

Wash the area on your crotch and apply savlon (not too much)before going out on your bike.

Obviously clean bespoke shorts with a padded insert.

Do NOT squeeze the spots. Never ever works and will cause them to swell and hurt.

When they are ready they will pop on their own.

Oh and apply Savlon again after you wash.

How do I know because I suffer from them as well. I've learnt to live with the problem rather than solve it.

geoffnelder

My GP said savlon is too strong to use regularly in the crotch area, esp before and after rides. He suggests any of the nappy creams (preferably the non-perfumed sort like Drapolene)

Once you are free of sores the best prophylactic creams are the chamois creams such as Assos.

Geoff

Mike Willcox

GeoffNelder wrote:

My GP said savlon is too strong to use regularly in the crotch area, esp before and after rides. He suggests any of the nappy creams (preferably the non-perfumed sort like Drapolene)

Once you are free of sores the best prophylactic creams are the chamois creams such as Assos.

Geoff

Bloody Hell ! What does it do then? Burn your skin away or even worse make your balls fall off?

geoffnelder

Don't worry too much Mike.

In Savlon, as far as I can find out, Centrimide may cause local irritation or allergic reactions if you have sensitive skin, if swallowed it may cause nausea and vomiting whilst Chlorhexidine Gluconate has very few known side effects but it can cause skin rashes if you have particularly sensitive skin.

So no swallowing your Savlon, and if you're not allergic or have sensitive skin then your balls are safe.

Geoff