Saddle sores are every bike rider’s worst nightmare. From a mere zit to a full-blown rash, male and female saddle sores give you nothing but excruciating pain that has you searching up saddle sore remedies on how to get rid of saddle sores.
From what to put on saddle sores to how to prevent saddle sores, finding the cure for this situation can be just as hard. Even the lifelong pros at cycling fall prey to the excruciating pain of saddle sores every now and then. It has been worse to the extent that they forfeited their most significant races.
Saddle sores are absolutely evil, and the culprit behind them is actually the production of bacteria within your undergarments that’s promoted by the harsh contact with the saddle itself.
So, the question is how to heal saddle sores?
Well, we’ve mentioned tips that are certified by cyclists to be their holy grail. From curing and healing to prevention in the first place, read on ahead to get the best solution on how to fix saddle sores.
How to Prevent and Get Rid of Saddle Sores
In the old days, if you had come in search of how to heal saddle sores, you would’ve left with nothing but raw steaks. Yes, raw steaks, just like all those cartoons you grew up watching.
Previously, cyclists with saddle sores would just place the raw steaks between their shorts to give padded protection from the saddle itself.
Luckily, we live in a revolutionized world where preventative measures and cures have progressed significantly in that department. Prevention is always better than looking for treatments.
Here we mention some steps that will help you avoid saddle sores in the first place.
1. Check the Fit of Your Bike’s Saddle
If the bike saddle is left to be high, you’re prone to get more chafing down there. The reason for this is the continuous abrasion against the soft skin of your legs and the saddle nose.
This would result in highly irritated skin that can easily be infected. Try to get your BMX bicycle position checked by a professional so they can adjust the height of the seat accordingly.
2. Stand Up to Relieve Pain
When you’re cycling for prolonged periods, the circulation, as well as the breathability factor down there, is compromised. To cater to this problem, you should stand up while cycling.
This should be done for a maximum of 30 seconds, and it will successfully restore the circulation process. Standing and stretching your limbs out a bit can quickly help you prevent saddle sores.
3. Adjust Your Position on the Saddle Throughout the Ride
Try to shift your position on the saddle every now and then. If you’re sitting on one end of the saddle for too long, then you can definitely get chafed.
The winder back end of the saddle provides more support than the small tip at the front, so try to remain mostly on the broader areas but shift around as you require.
4. Select a Smooth Chamois
Try opting for biking shorts that have flat sewn seams or with a one-piece liner. You might need to branch out by using different brands and chamois models to find the ones that work the best for you.
Women’s saddle sores can be prevented by opting for shorts that down have a seam down the center.
5. Pick the Right Seat
Of course, saddle choice also plays a crucial role in your comfort level. Try to decide on saddle sores after taking them for a test drive.
Wider saddles chafe the inner thighs whereas if a saddle seat is too narrow, then you might lose your balance. Additionally, the wrong saddle seat can contribute to uneven distribution of weight which can cause bruising all over.
Padded saddles can push too much into your body which can cause pain and excruciating discomfort. So, selecting the right seat is a matter of trial and error, but you should do extensive research before choosing one for yourself.
6. Use a Lubricant
Chamois abrasion can easily be reduced by using an effective lubricant. Before every ride, apply a generous amount of lubrication in the concerning areas.
You can opt for chamois creams and balms that are readily available at pharmacies, or you can simply use Vaseline or any petroleum jelly to get the job done.
7. Wash Your Cycling Shorts
After every race, get out of your sweaty garments immediately and shower off the bacteria.
Don’t stay in your sweaty clothes for a long time as it will harbor more bacterial growth down there and be careful what you wear. Shower off and dry the areas and put on loose-fitting clothing to relax any irritated skin.
Try to keep a variety of cycling shorts at hand or wash your pairs every single day and never wear underwear. Make sure that the pair you put on is fresh and clean daily to prevent further bacterial activity.
How to Cure Saddle Sores
In case the preventative measures didn’t work, here are our tips on healing your saddle sore whether you’re resting or if you’re still partaking in cycling activities.
1. Use the Right Medication
While you should be keeping that area as clean as possible, you should also be using the medication regularly.
You can purchase acne gels that have benzoyl peroxide. Effective medicine are topical medications and if they don’t work you should go visit a doctor that might prescribe antibiotics.
2. Rest Your Body
It will help tremendously to heal saddle sores if you just take some time off. Settle the infection and let it heal completely.
Continuing to ride will increase the chances of wounding the affected areas, so it’s better to rest up rather than risking yourself being in more pain.
3. Try Numbing Creams
OTC pain reduction medicines and anti-inflammatory medications are helpful if you can’t rest up.
In extreme cases, you can ask for anesthetic treatments that can help numb out the pain and let you compete as usual. This is only recommended for professional cyclists and riders.
4. Try Preparation H
Believe it or not, preparation H ointment helps prevent saddle soreness cycling.
It effectively decreases the side of the tissues and soothes the pain. We recommend applying a small amount before using your chamois cream generously.
Conclusion
We hope that these tips and tricks on how to heal saddle sores were helpful for you. Now you can easily prevent future situations and get your quick fix treatment today as well. Good luck!