Itchy Perineum

frosty123

After a long cycle I get a itchy perineum and its usually itchy for a day or two afterwards..I wear padded cycle shorts-no underwear, I also use anti-chaff gel ...but to no avail.

Any remedy out there? or does it mean a visit to the GP?

RobertFoster

Have you tried chamois cream?

frosty123

I use Glide anti chafing gel

Is Chamois cream better? where can I get it a chemist?

TheBlaaMan

Assuming the shorts are washed after every use, it is more than likely a reaction to either the anti-chafing cream (try Sudocreme..) or the detergent in your wash.

dub 24

I would suspect it's some sort of skin infection that is aggravated by sweat movement etc . I would suggest you get some Daktarin powder or cream, it's available over the counter from the pharmacy. Apply after showering and also before bedtime as fungal infections usually thrive at night due to the heat of the body under duvets etc.
Hope this alleviates the problem

frosty123

TheBlaaMan wrote: »

Assuming the shorts are washed after every use, it is more than likely a reaction to either the anti-chafing cream (try Sudocreme..) or the detergent in your wash.

Not after every cycle...about once per 2 months

sudocrem helps a bit, but doesn't relieve the itch

dastardly00

frosty123 wrote: »

Not after every cycle...about once per 2 months

sudocrem helps a bit, but doesn't relieve the itch

Whaaaaat? You only once your shorts about once every two months?? :eek:


That more than likely is your issue. Was them after every cycle!

Wishbone Ash

frosty123 wrote: »

Not after every cycle...about once per 2 months...

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

bazermc

Hands up who else had to Google what a Perineum is

Mefistofelino

Itchy Perineum is the full name of the mouse in The Simpsons

Larbre34

bazermc wrote: »

Hands up who else had to Google what a Perineum is

I know what it t'aint.

dahat

bazermc wrote: »

Hands up who else had to Google what a Perineum is

Nope, had surgery to sale area & wasn’t pleasant.

km991148

frosty123 wrote: »

Not after every cycle...about once per 2 months

sudocrem helps a bit, but doesn't relieve the itch

Did I misread that, if I read correctly and you're not trying to be funny then bio detergent wash them after every ride!

If you have expensive shorts and want to prolong the life buy cheaper ones for shorter rides and wash at 30 (but still with bio).


What about the jocks? How many wears you getting from them?? :pac:

crosstownk

dahat wrote: »

Nope, had surgery to sale area & wasn’t pleasant.

Same here. Really unpleasant and not something I'll ever forget.

As for the OP's issue - I'll assume the shorts are washed after every use and that he get the itchiness only after a long cycle - something he does every two months or so.

frosty123 wrote:

After a long cycle I get a itchy perineum and its usually itchy for a day or two afterwards..I wear padded cycle shorts-no underwear, I also use anti-chaff gel ...but to no avail.

Some washing powder can cause a rash for some people and some rashes can also be itchy. Non-bio is less likely to cause a rash in my experience. I wash my kit - after each spin - in a 30 degree wash using Persil non-bio as bio has given me a rash in other areas in the past.

Wishbone Ash

bazermc wrote: »

Hands up who else had to Google what a Perineum is

Not those of us who paid attention in biology class and those who sympathised with Kelly's suffering with his infamous boil.

(...and of course, not those of us who work in the general medical area ).

Wishbone Ash

Re the above mention of Kelly:

Not to put too fine a point on it, but if you want to find a symbol that summarises professional cycling in all its cruelty, heroism and treachery, you need look no further than Seán Kelly's bony backside.

In 1987, this lion of the road was among the favourites to win the tour of Spain, La Vuelta a España. With four days to go, he was leading the race by 43 seconds; the next day he abandoned. Turned out he'd been suffering with a cyst on his perineum, caused by an ingrown hair.

An online medical dictionary tells us that the male perineum is located between the scrotum and the anus. One can only imagine that a bike saddle is the last place where you'd want to be sitting with such an affliction. Kelly sat on it for four days, pounding out mile after punishing mile. The agony must have been exquisite.

The night before a time trial in Valladolid, a tour doctor lanced the boil and stitched the wound. The Carrick-on-Suir man's stoicism was already legendary: he could eat any amount of pain. Kelly soldiered on through the time trial and duly assumed the leader's jersey. But the stitches burst from the pressure. The next day, on Stage 19, he finally surrendered.

Lumen

Whilst I wouldn't want to diminish Kelly's heroism in the face of a hurty scranus, any midwife could offer tales of perineal trauma that would make Kelly's eyes water.

Macy0161

crosstownk wrote: »

Some washing powder can cause a rash for some people and some rashes can also be itchy. Non-bio is less likely to cause a rash in my experience. I wash my kit - after each spin - in a 30 degree wash using Persil non-bio as bio has given me a rash in other areas in the past.

I've eczema, and non-bio is all I can use. Itchy af if I use biological washing detergent. If I have to wash in biological (which sometimes stuff does), it goes back in for a full wash cycle.

I'm also going to assume gear is washed each use, and the itch only happens after every 2 months. I'd look at the post spin - straight into the shower or at least a good clean around the saddle contact point area.

T-Maxx

km991148 wrote: »

Did I misread that, if I read correctly and you're not trying to be funny then bio detergent wash them after every ride!

If you have expensive shorts and want to prolong the life buy cheaper ones for shorter rides and wash at 30 (but still with bio).

What about the jocks? How many wears you getting from them?? :pac:

Surely non-bio would be better in this case?

CramCycle

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Not those of us who paid attention in biology class and those who sympathised with Kelly's suffering with his infamous boil.

(...and of course, not those of us who work in the general medical area ).

I lanced one that appeared myself, size of a golf ball just behind and to the right of the testicles. I will never forget it, I am not a flexible man at the best of times. Feeling queezy just thinking about it again.

Mefistofelino

CramCycle wrote: »

I lanced one that appeared myself, size of a golf ball just behind and to the right of the testicles. I will never forget it, I am not a flexible man at the best of times. Feeling queezy just thinking about it again.

I take it this was your own boil (and testicles) and you're not making a habit of, err, surprising people?

magicbastarder

you need the element of surprise for it to be effective.

TheBlaaMan

Timely. Male and female reader discretion advised.....

https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/saddle-sores-101/

CramCycle

Mefistofelino wrote: »

I take it this was your own boil (and testicles) and you're not making a habit of, err, surprising people?

I hope they were mine. Once is a mistake, twice is a choice, but after this many years I have to hope they are OK with this behaviour.

km991148

T-Maxx wrote: »

Surely non-bio would be better in this case?

For prolonged life?

Probably but I prefer the bio to kill all organic matter.

I think in order of worst to best for clothing it's:

High temp bio powder
High temp bio liquid
High temp non bio
Low temp bio powder
Low temp bio liquid
Low temp non bio


I go low temp with bio liquid, seems to do the job.

Macy0161

Bio v non-bio in this case really depends on whether it is infection related from the shorts not being clean or skin irritation from the shorts/ detergent.

But, I would think something up with the cleanliness of the shorts wouldn't just be long spins?

km991148

Macy0161 wrote: »

Bio v non-bio in this case really depends on whether it is infection related from the shorts not being clean or skin irritation from the shorts/ detergent.

But, I would think something up with the cleanliness of the shorts wouldn't just be long spins?

If it's itchy it's possibly fungal and some Daktacort or similar as someone mentioned will sort it. GP can advise if it keeps coming back.

Btw, I talk very loosely about this stuff.. there is no shame etc I'd say everyone gets a bit if this now and again.

If it were happening only at certain times after using certain powder etc then could be allergies.

dahat

After each spin & shower moisturise the area as it could just be that its is dry skin that will eventually crack causing possible infections. I've found doing this twice daily has helped keep elasticity in the area.

outfox

Adding some of that Dettol laundry stuff to the wash is also beneficial. Kills all the microbes, and stops anything that can survive low temp washes from building up.

Thoie

To help rule out the washing powder, how about putting a panty liner in the shorts and see how that goes? Make sure you get the non-scented ones.

dastardly00

CramCycle wrote: »

I lanced one that appeared myself, size of a golf ball just behind and to the right of the testicles. I will never forget it, I am not a flexible man at the best of times. Feeling queezy just thinking about it again.

The size of a golf ball?! :eek:

dastardly00

dastardly00 wrote: »

The size of a golf ball?! :eek:

It's a 3rd testicle at that size :pac:

TheBlaaMan

Deleted User wrote: »

It's a 3rd testicle..... :pac:

Separate, known, issue .....:eek:

eeeee

km991148 wrote: »

For prolonged life?

Probably but I prefer the bio to kill all organic matter.

I think in order of worst to best for clothing it's:

High temp bio powder
High temp bio liquid
High temp non bio
Low temp bio powder
Low temp bio liquid
Low temp non bio


I go low temp with bio liquid, seems to do the job.

Biological washing powder is terrible for cycling kit, and still delicate fabrics. It attacks the warp and weft of the fabric, and visibly 'thins' it over time, eventually leading to holes. Any fabric lasts longer if you wash it with non bio.
Bio washing powder/ liquid is also a well known skin irritant, which is why it's not recommended for sensitive skin.
Delicate walking powder/ liquids are all non bio, and all the skin foundation recommended ones are non bio too.

OP, I'd suggest getting straight out of the kit and into the shower post ride, and also getting the kit into the washing machine as quick as possible so bacteria and fungus hasn't the chance to develop on either!
Sounds like a question for your doc if it won't go away.

km991148

eeeee wrote: »

Biological washing powder is terrible for cycling kit, and still delicate fabrics. It attacks the warp and weft of the fabric, and visibly 'thins' it over time, eventually leading to holes. Any fabric lasts longer if you wash it with non bio.
Bio washing powder/ liquid is also a well known skin irritant, which is why it's not recommended for sensitive skin.
Delicate walking powder/ liquids are all non bio, and all the skin foundation recommended ones are non bio too.

OP, I'd suggest getting straight out of the kit and into the shower post ride, and also getting the kit into the washing machine as quick as possible so bacteria and fungus hasn't the chance to develop on either!
Sounds like a question for your doc if it won't go away.

Bio was recommended at least initially to kill off any bacteria. At least initially to kill it then continue with regular non bio.
Bio liquid is much easier on the fabric as it doesn't contain the same whiteners and bleaches as the powder.

Either way.. whatever you choose - washing right away is key and higher priority over prolonging the life of fabric!

Finnrocco

When drying shorts, hang them on the line and turn them inside out.

Apparently the sun kills bacteria that may be lingering.

Well I read it somewhere once - think its an old Belgian Pros tale.

frosty123

dastardly00 wrote: »

Whaaaaat? You only once your shorts about once every two months?? :eek:


That more than likely is your issue. Was them after every cycle!

But even with a freshly washed shorts I get an itch, even with brand new shorts I get an itch.

Cee-Jay-Cee

bazermc wrote: »

Hands up who else had to Google what a Perineum is

its also called the 'Isny' as in it 'isny your hole and isny your sack, its the bit in between'

Gaoth Laidir

bazermc wrote: »

Hands up who else had to Google what a Perineum is

The Peri-perineum is the bit between the front and back door of a Nando's restaurant...

dahat

Gaoth Laidir wrote: »

The Peri-perineum is the bit between the front and back door of a Nando's restaurant...

Or the "tisn't" - it isn't your arse or your balls!!!!

route66

mitchelsontour

Chris Horners advice on the issue. Some unusual advice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qtAw3_kspQ&t=27s

DaveyDave

Itchy perenium and cycling Micky, the cycling forum is getting awful risqué lately!

mrcheez

bazermc wrote: »

Hands up who else had to Google what a Perineum is

All I learned from Google is that I apparently need to massage it.

That might be the issue OP!

Eamonnator

mitchelsontour wrote: »

Chris Horners advice on the issue. Some unusual advice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qtAw3_kspQ&t=27s

If Chris Horner swore to me, that he was telling lies, I wouldn't believe him.

TheBlaaMan

Eamonnator wrote: »

If Chris Horner swore to me, that he was telling lies, I wouldn't believe him.

.....said the man from USADA.:cool:

bazermc

Are those saddles with cut out any good at relieving pressure in this area. I’ve been plagued with a saddle sore over the last few years.

I’m looking at this one in particular.

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/selle-italia-sp-01-tm-superflow-saddle/rp-prod179308

magicbastarder

was talking about this with my boss recently. he got a specialized sitero - he's an ironman triathlete, and was told that the extra rotation forward on a tri bike puts extra pressure on the nether regions, so saddle choice is even more important there.

crosstownk

bazermc wrote: »

Are those saddles with cut out any good at relieving pressure in this area. I’ve been plagued with a saddle sore over the last few years.

I’m looking at this one in particular.

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/selle-italia-sp-01-tm-superflow-saddle/rp-prod179308

I use Selle Italia SLR Superflow on both bikes. I find them excellent. I haven't had a saddle sore in a few years and changing saddle type certainly helped.

They're available in different widths so be sure to measure your sit bones and get the correct size.

Cee-Jay-Cee

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

its also called the 'Isny' as in it 'isny your hole and isny your sack, its the bit in between'

Affectionately known as your “Notcha” in my circles.

J Madone

Aegir wrote: »

Affectionately known as your “Notcha” in my circles.

Are you referring to the "Barse"?
The bit between your balls and your arse