HELP please with saddle sores

alexanderomahon

OKAY, I'm 49, 6ft and weigh just around 14stone. For just over a year now cycling has been my main form of fitness.

I set myself a target this year of cycling to Birmingham via Holyhead over 2 days and I will be starting out on Saturday week. The route I have chosen is pretty flat and I still believe it is doable.

Training has gone fine and I have managed to do max rides of around 160km. However my problem is saddle sores, especially one or two like pimples on or around the sit bones.

I have taken the following steps to make the problem less.

1) Got a bike fit from a well respected bike fitter
2) Bought bib shorts with a good reputation
3) Doubled up on shorts
4) Using chamois cream Udderly Smooth Extra Care Cream and plenty of it
5) washing shorts after each ride, or at least always having clean shorts next to my skin if I am wearing two pair.
6) Have tried various after ride cleaning product a) hot shower and soap, bacterial soap, the anti bacterial hand wash you get in hospitals that dries
7) Used clearasil spot cream
8) Got cream recommended by chemist

So can anybody tell me if I should avoid any of these of have I missed something that will solve the problem?

Also, I have the remains of one small pimple and have not been out on the bike for 4/5 days. Instead been in gym using a reclining bike, cross trainer and bit of running. Should I stay off the bike until the pimple goes completely or do small rides.

Was planning on doing a 120k and 60 k at weekend but worried I will get the problem again just prior to taking on the 300k.

Also in terms of doing the ride I am aiming for 2 hours riding and then a break and repeat. First day in region of 200k second day region of 100k.

Advice please would be appreciated. If none then I'll just HTFU

Chips Lovell

Sounds like you've been fairly thorough, but one thing I didn't spot on your list is trying different saddles.

Saddles are a fairly personal thing, so I'm not going to make any recommendations. One man's sofa is another man's instrument of torture, so trial and error is the way to go.

reilig

I think everyone is shaped differently down there, so what works for one may not work for another.

I've bought the creams and none of them worked. Got the bike fit, no change. Eventually after 9 months of the same saddle, I was told by an experienced cyclist that perhaps the saddle just wasn't for me - It was a decent Selle Italia that came with the bike. Did a bit of searching and read some reviews on one of these:

http://www.allaysaddles.com/products/air_tuned_comfort/Racing2_1_m

Goy it in a chain reaction sale for €62. Have been using it for 2 months now and things are getting better. Couple that with the use of Caldasine powder (for baby's bottoms) on the chamois before every ride that I have been using in recent weeks, and my bottom is so much better. I think it was sweating and dampness down there that contributed to the chaffing, spots and pain. The cream was only adding to the dampness, but the powder keeps me dry as a bone.

Hope that helps - the powder for €3 for a small bottle has to be worth a go for you.

Qualitymark

The old-fashioned solution was to wear one of those heavily padded sanitary towels (even if male), but I don't think you can even get these any more.

alexanderomahon

Forgot to mention I got a new saddle based on the bike fit and the pattern of rubbing etc that was seen on my old saddle. Has definitely helped the chaffing, but the pimples are the big problem.

Reilig would you recommend no cream and just the baby powder

Lumen

I don't think double shorts is a good idea.

le petit braquet

I had a small saddle sore before the ROK and I used a small Compeed blister patch to protect it which did the trick for me on the day

Qualitymark

Would the pimples actually be ingrown hairs that have become infected, I wonder?

feck sake lads

ah the dreaded saddle sores, one thing do not sqeeze that pimple your asking for troble.
i got cream from my doctor that is fantastic well it worked perfect for me mind you i had to get it on prescription it's called

DAKTACORT if you know the chemist just ask for it it really does work use it after every ride ,oh yeah someone mentioned caldecene powder better than any cream springle your padded shorts with it.
good luck with the ride.

reilig

alexanderomahon wrote: »

Forgot to mention I got a new saddle based on the bike fit and the pattern of rubbing etc that was seen on my old saddle. Has definitely helped the chaffing, but the pimples are the big problem.

Reilig would you recommend no cream and just the baby powder

No cream. Just the powder. It will definitely help with the spots. It keeps you dry, its sterilizes, and its discreet. There is no smell from it either.

smacl

Probably a bit close to your trip to be changing saddle, but in the long term it might be the best option. A leather saddle such as the Brooks B17 could work well, but it's just a matter of trying a few.

Harrybelafonte

I still get the odd sore, despite numerous saddle changes and different bib changes so just live with them now. I'll second the daktacort though, but beware, it'll bleach your pad if you put it on before cycling.

Eamonnator

I've had this problem in the past.
When I shower and dry myself, I use surgical spirits on my rear, applied with cotton wool.
This kills any bacteria. As it evaporates very quickly, it ensures the skin is dry, and it toughens the skin. When used on open cuts or pimples, it may sting a little.
You should be able buy it in any pharmacy.
( It's used to prevent bed sores on people, who are bed ridden. Sorry)

petethedrummer

The saddle is the most important factor. A good one should feel kinda good sitting on it in regular trousers.

I also prefer very tight and minimal padding in shorts. Minimal padding means there is less material to gather and chafe. Tightness means there is less movement.

murf85

alexanderomahon wrote: »

OKAY, I'm 49, 6ft and weigh just around 14stone. For just over a year now cycling has been my main form of fitness.

I set myself a target this year of cycling to Birmingham via Holyhead over 2 days and I will be starting out on Saturday week. The route I have chosen is pretty flat and I still believe it is doable.

Training has gone fine and I have managed to do max rides of around 160km. However my problem is saddle sores, especially one or two like pimples on or around the sit bones.

I have taken the following steps to make the problem less.

1) Got a bike fit from a well respected bike fitter
2) Bought bib shorts with a good reputation
3) Doubled up on shorts
4) Using chamois cream Udderly Smooth Extra Care Cream and plenty of it
5) washing shorts after each ride, or at least always having clean shorts next to my skin if I am wearing two pair.
6) Have tried various after ride cleaning product a) hot shower and soap, bacterial soap, the anti bacterial hand wash you get in hospitals that dries
7) Used clearasil spot cream
8) Got cream recommended by chemist

So can anybody tell me if I should avoid any of these of have I missed something that will solve the problem?

Also, I have the remains of one small pimple and have not been out on the bike for 4/5 days. Instead been in gym using a reclining bike, cross trainer and bit of running. Should I stay off the bike until the pimple goes completely or do small rides.

Was planning on doing a 120k and 60 k at weekend but worried I will get the problem again just prior to taking on the 300k.

Also in terms of doing the ride I am aiming for 2 hours riding and then a break and repeat. First day in region of 200k second day region of 100k.

Advice please would be appreciated. If none then I'll just HTFU

I used to suffer with these big time up until 6 months ago... Was told to Wash it with BETADINE skin cleanser (any pharmacy) to get rid of it and use cod liver oil supplements daily to prevent them. Never use a pair of shorts twice without washing them.

Havnt had one since I started taking cod liver oil supplements!

alexanderomahon

Thanks for the various pieces of advice I'll look at trying a few of them.

Anybody got an opinion on whether I should ride with the pimple still there or rest it up before Friday week?

Qualitymark

I'd rest and mend.

kumate_champ07

when theyre gone try a tub of vaseline, thats all I use now, cheap and works perfectly.

big mce

Sudocreme, your only man! I rub it into the chamois.

NeedMoreGears

FWIW I found Oxy10 (teenager spot cream) very effective in getting rid of them in a few days. I'd would agree that resting a while is a good idea.

LastGasp

I haven't tried them yet, but I have heard Hydrocolloid Dressings available in Boots or any good pharmacy do the trick. I have used them on various cuts and grazes with excellent results. If you have a sore area at the moment I suggest giving them a try and see if they help. I intend to try them myself on a 300 in a couple of weeks.

kumate_champ07

theres also a cream used on horses, or maybe Im thinking of something else, could have been for muscle sprains, it was economical because its cheap and in a large container. some people use genital wart cream for wrinkles, thats (un)pretty OT

alexanderomahon

well did ride over two days. Tried powder and just one pair of shorts before going, but still had one saddle sore when started. Took me just shy of 400k from Rush to Birmingham and did it in 2 days. First day cycled to Nantwich and that was about 270k. About 40k of this was caused by me having problems with navigation and ending up cycling up hills and on to beaches.

Anyway, neurofen plus got me through the 100+ k to Birmingham. Painful experience. saddle sore (pimple) seems gone due to load of skin being ripped off my sit bone area. Not on bike since Sunday and treating area with savlon.

All in all a painful experience, but really glad I did it!!!! Goal for the year achieved.

smacl

Fair play, sounds rather epic. Wearing all the skin of your nether regions has got to be one of the more novel cures for saddle sores

Jawgap

Didn't see it mentioned, but what do you wash your shorts in? Some detergents might cause irritation.

Also +1 on the Sudocreme.

How about having a chat with your local pharmacist - they might have some ideas.

If that fails, spray this on twice a day.....:)

alexanderomahon

Jawgap wrote: »

Didn't see it mentioned, but what do you wash your shorts in? Some detergents might cause irritation.

Also +1 on the Sudocreme.

How about having a chat with your local pharmacist - they might have some ideas.

If that fails, spray this on twice a day.....:)

Can't beat a bit of htfu As mentioned in post 1 i guessed that might be the only option, My advice though is combine with lots of neurofen plus

le petit braquet

Well done! Perhaps somebody should have mentioned the old remedy of a steak in your shorts for extra cushioning! If I recall correctly, Sean Kelly had to resort to this towards the end of the Vuelta in 87, but ultimately he had to abandon (in amarillo) just two stages from the end. If Kelly had to abandon, you can just imagine that the pain must have been excruciating!

If he hadn't been the victim of this misfortune, then with Stephen Roche's Giro/Tour double, Ireland would have had a clean sweep of grand tour victories that year. He did win the following year though:D

One_Time

Good man Alex!

joker77

Hydrocortisone cream (a little steroids never hurt anyone what!)

crumliniano

Fair dues on the trip. Nantwich is a nice town to have stopped in for the night, though you we're probably to whacked to enjoy it much. Fwiw i think once you get rid of what you currently have its a bad idea to use lubrication like Vaseline while cycling. It holds on to bacteria and gunks up. And I think chamois cream belongs in the 80s when chamois was actually made from chamois leather. Most pads now are fairly breathable and soft. Nobody asked if you wear underwear under you bib. I know there are two schools of thought on this. I prefer to but try to use Lycra shorts that you can get in m&s as they don't hold on to any moisture and also don't have seams up the middle (instead at the outside of your thighs). Having said all that, if you lost skin through chaffing I reckon your saddle is a problem.

hardCopy

alexanderomahon wrote: »

Jawgap wrote: »

Didn't see it mentioned, but what do you wash your shorts in? Some detergents might cause irritation.

Also +1 on the Sudocreme.

How about having a chat with your local pharmacist - they might have some ideas.

If that fails, spray this on twice a day.....:)

Can't beat a bit of htfu As mentioned in post 1 i guessed that might be the only option, My advice though is combine with lots of neurofen plus

Joking aside, excessive codeine and ibuprofen don't always mix well with prolonged exercise.

fixie fox

Go to your doc. and get a prescription for Fucibet. Treat them immediately and consistently when they appear (the logistics of that can be tricky!). It is a mixture of antibiotic and cortisone, so don't get tested! Just spot treat - a tube will last for years.

langdang

Are they that common for some people that there is all this talk about cure, but not so much about prevention?
Jawgap is right to ask about detergent I think. Fairy non bio is worth a try. And definitely worth trying a new saddle or several saddles!