Do I need chamois cream?

rodgers73

Apologies for the language here but I've got a pretty sore crotch. Got an itchy rash between my arse cheeks and my perineum (sp?) is pretty sore/hot.

Is this a saddle positioning issue or do I just need greasing up?

Also, where the hell do I stick this stuff? The descriptions on Wiggle are awful ("do not apply to intimate areas" - seems a daft thing to say about something you stick between your legs!).

Any help gratefully received!

desweller

You may want a narrower saddle as a permanent fix. Chamois cream is good but a lot of people don't use it at all, even for century rides over many days, and I tend to think that's down to good saddle selection.

Crispybug

Sudocrem.

Fraction of the cost of chamois cream, but does the job just as well.


Where to stick it???!!!!

Basically slather it over your arse and bollocks.....simple as that really.

akcc05

Yeah give chamois cream a try, they are quite cheap anyway. I didn't have problems with chaffing or soreness but bought the Assos creme anyway. It made what was already a good saddle better. I liked the cool menthol feel too!

rc856

As already said, is the saddle the right width for you?
Is this a recent thing or something you've had for a while?
If recent, try to think back to why.

I was measured at Evans and another Specialized dealer.

I recently started using Assos cream and really like it.
Didn't get a rash etc but got general soreness after a couple of hours.
No I can ride for 6 hours ok. This is also after I got Assos shorts which have a much better pad than my old shorts.

meanredspider

Yup - get some Assos. It's not as cheap as Sudocreme but it lasts ages and was designed for the job. Besides that, I hate the smell of Sudocreme and it didn't work for me at all either.

I'm sure there are people with bullet-proof butts though I'm not as sure as they are that it's something to be proud of.

As for application, just don't apply it to the most sensitive bits of your tackle. Ladies shouldn't be applying it to their most sensitive parts either.

Unfortunately, the new Assos formulation (cream-coloured) doesn't tingle like the old blue version did.

Good shorts are a must. And cream helps especially well when you get soaked with rain

Nancy Luger

Itchy rash is most probably a skin infection of some sort which is caused by the hot moist conditions, most likely dhobie itch or thrush. You want to treat that before using any saddle cream or sudocrem.

Pickled Pig

I bought some (udderly smooth) but don't use it any more now I've hardened up in the required places. It did help at first when I started riding longer distances - 3 hrs+.

CYCLESPORT1

Use Sudocrem at night - don't bother with chamois cream as 99.9% of shorts don't have a real chamois anyway (chamois is off an animal - leather / skin)

Duffer65

I have had this myself and it is usually caused by damp conditions in the Gentlemen's area. I was advised to use a Thrush cream (Boots own brand - other chemists and creams are available) and it worked. I used Sudocrem when I went out on the bike until it cleared up; I had been using Udderly Smooth chamois cream but it is a bit thin. I also swapped my saddle for one with a narrower nose and that seemed to help as well. Although, I would say that if it is quite bad it may be best to seek proper medical advice as you really don't want that area to get badly infected :shock: .

Alibran

In my experience, a sore perineum is down to either unsuitable saddle, or poor saddle position. I found moving my saddle back a few mm solved that problem for me. Someone else I know has solved it by tilting the nose of the saddle down so slightly that you couldn't see any difference.

The itchy rash is probably caused by a combination of heat/sweat and friction between your bum cheeks. I think you can get low % hydrocortisone cream over the counter, which should clear it up in a week or so, and chamois cream should then stop it coming back.

Peddle Up!

meanredspider wrote:

Unfortunately, the new Assos formulation (cream-coloured) doesn't tingle like the old blue version did.

It does on my bits! :shock:

meanredspider

CYCLESPORT1 wrote:

Use Sudocrem at night - don't bother with chamois cream as 99.9% of shorts don't have a real chamois anyway (chamois is off an animal - leather / skin)

Clearly - but chamois cream doesn't have to be used with real chamois.

wheelygood

You need to wash shorts frequently too - preferably after every ride!

rodgers73

I wash shorts after every ride. They're very comfy so I'm happy with them generally.

I'm going to docs next week to get it checked out properly. It's VERY itchy which makes me think its more than just friction.

As for a cause for the two big sore patches on my perineum (fun with the mirror!) - I wondered if my stem was too long (this has been commented on by others who've seen my bike) and that might be making me lean forward too far on the saddle, rather than the saddle itself being the issue.

Until I upped my commute from once a week to twice a week (44 mile round trip) this wasnt as much of an issue. Seems to have got worse lately.

red dragon

I have used vaselene and that is okay.

wishitwasallflat

Wheatgerm oil - cheap get it in the health food shop - cleares up chaffing and irritated skin and prevents.