9 Useful Tips to Prevent (and Treat) Saddle Sores
A saddle sore, the one thing cyclists, including me, hate to face after a long and enjoyable ride.
Saddle sore is very common that many cyclists got used to it and didn’t even feel it as much as they used to. However, no matter what you do – it’ll always be there.
There are ways to deal with it or even prevent the saddle sore from happening on the bright side. And if it’s that one thing that doesn’t make you look forward to your next ride, you’re in the right place.
In this article, I’ll give you a clear definition of a saddle sore, reasons why it happens, tips to prevent it, but also to treat it in case you’re suffering from a saddle sore right now.
So, let’s get started.
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What is a Saddle Sore?
Saddle sore is usually referred to as many different similar conditions. But if you’ve sat in a bike saddle for a long ride, what did you feel once you got off your bike?
Yup, that’s definitely a saddle sore.
It’s a condition that many cyclists experience differently.
For some, it can be a light pain in the pelvic or genital area that contacts the saddle the most and, therefore, withstands the most pressure during a ride.
But even though not many cyclists find saddle sores profound, they can be over time.
Usually, a saddle sore starts with a simple chafing of the skin, and if you ignore it, the areas can even become open sores, which you definitely don’t want.
On top of that, inflammation can happen around the hair follicles that could lead to painful bumps on the skin. This can go really far to the point where you can mistake the bump for a pimple.
In the worst-case scenario, a saddle sore can involve a deep skin infection, which is filled with pus most of the time.
Saddle sore isn’t such an innocent issue anymore.
Even though many cyclists aren’t aware of the saddle sore conditions, it’s essential to take it seriously as it could get complicated in no time.
And you probably don’t want that.
Why?
Because if you get a severe infection, you won’t be able to get on your bike for quite some time!
I don’t know about you, but that’s a big issue itself.
If you already happen to have a saddle sore, it’s your lucky day since you’ll find ways to treat it. On the other hand, if this post has scared you so far, there’s nothing to sweat about.
I’ll also discuss ways to prevent saddle sore, so you never have to worry about it again.
And now that you know what a saddle sore is and how complicated it can get, you’re probably wondering why does it happen at all?
What causes saddle sores?
There are many reasons, and the most common ones are usually because of the excess friction and pressure that happens between the skin, cycling shorts, and the saddle, or poorly padded shorts.
You shouldn’t ignore a low bike fit, or a poor saddle since it can definitely be just one of many reasons saddle sore occurs.
How to Prevent Saddle Sore
It’s always better to prevent the saddle sore than having to treat one, and if you stick to these 5 tips, chances are you’ll much minimize the chances of getting a saddle sore.
1. Bib Choice and Hygiene
As obvious as it is, your bib choice is critical, especially when you’re going for longer rides.
Almost all cycling bibs come with a chamois that offers a protective padding layer, which serves as a layer between the body and the saddle. Unfortunately, chamois pads differ from bib to bib, and therefore, it’s important to find the ones that make you feel most comfortable.
It’s a process of testing and seeing what works the best for you.
And we’ve all been in a situation where we like the bib so much, even though they’re not the most comfortable ones.
If the bibs are rubbing you the wrong way, I’d definitely recommend you look for another pair.
Having said that, you shouldn’t ignore hygiene either.
Most cyclists shower after the ride, but showering before a ride and maintaining the area withstands the most pressure during the ride will help in the long run.
Read More : The 18 Best Bib Shorts for Road Cyclists
2. Get A Professional Bike Fit
If you’re experiencing saddle sore, trust me, it might not be because your saddle is not suitable for you.
In fact, if you didn’t get a bike fit right, it could be the biggest red flag and possibly an easy solution to saddling sore.
A proper professional bike fit would make sure that your saddle fits you well. The saddle height, fore-aft, and tilt is ideal. Even a proper handlebar position will help relieve the pressure from one point.
A professional bike fit will also help you find the most comfortable riding position that will match your goals.
3. Saddle Choice
Sometimes, a saddle just isn’t meant for you.
Ask any cyclists, and most will tell you that they’ve gone through a few saddles before settling for the one that suits them best.
If your bike fit is alright, you have found your perfect bib shorts. It might all come down to a saddle.
These days, several bike saddles are available, even professional ones created specifically to help people relieve or prevent saddle sore. Such harnesses are a bit wider than the usual ones, come with a cut-out, and can easily be angled, so you find your sweet spot.
Read More : The 12 Best Road Bike Saddles Cyclists
4. Use Chamois Cream
Chamois cream is a trendy option that can be found in bike stores.
It’s a cream that’s made to help reduce the friction and eliminate the saddle sore.
Make sure to adequately clean your skin with soap and water before and after your ride.
5. Increase Distance Gradually
No matter how much you like cycling, even the pro cyclists couldn’t complete their long-distance rides in just a few rides.
It took a lot of training and getting fit to ride the wanted distance.
If you happen to go for a long ride after a long break, you might get a saddle sore. Instead, start small and gradually increase your riding distance.
Alternatively, you can train indoors on the bike trainer to complement your outdoor riding.
Read More : 5 Tips for Your First 100 Mile Bike Ride and Gran Fondo
How to Treat Saddle Sore
If you’ve been experiencing saddle sore, it’s important to start treating it on time – before it escalates and gets complicated.
Here are 4 tips for you to treat saddle sores and get back on the road.
1. Rest Up and Keep the Area Clean
Now that you’ve experienced saddle sore, there isn’t much you can do but getting enough rest and not being stubborn and getting on your bike too soon will help you heal a lot faster.
Depending on the severity of your saddle sore, you should always keep the area clean, even if it means washing the area a few times a day.
The more attention you pay to the issue itself, the faster it will heal.
2. Use Anti-bacterial Cream
As mentioned earlier, a saddle sore can get really complicated if it’s not well taken care of.
Antibacterial cream is the best way to treat saddle sore and prevent it from getting too complicated. It also gradually works towards decreasing the saddle sore, resulting in a quicker recovery.
3. Wear Breathable Underwear
Wearing breathable underwear is just another thing you should do to treat a saddle sore successfully.
Even if you don’t like such material, you should still wear it for the chance of a quicker recovery. It would also be helpful if you could find loose, breathable underwear since tight underwear is constantly pressed on the skin and might not help you in this case.
I know it’s comfortable, but to treat saddle sore successfully, you will have to get out of your comfort zone for a bit.
4. See Your Local GP
If you’ve been trying to treat saddle sore on your own for some time now, and you don’t see any improvements, I’d highly suggest you visit your local GP.
They’ll be able to determine the severity of your saddle sore, give you professional advice, and even prescribe you better creams for a faster healing process.
It’s a common issue you shouldn’t be ashamed of. Don’t hesitate to see your local GP, because it sure is one way to get fully recovered.
Your goal is to get on a bike as soon as possible.
Prevention is Better than Cure
Saddle sores might start as an issue that isn’t very serious, and many cyclists make the common mistake thinking it’s something that will go away in some time.
In the end, you’re having a saddle sore because you rode that extra mile.
It shouldn’t be something serious.
Unfortunately, saddle sore can get really serious. The ideal situation would be to prevent the saddle sore even before you have to treat it.
Preventing saddle sores is way easier than treating them. And, of course, you get to stay on your bike instead of having to stick to your couch.
Using these 5 tips to prevent it and 4 tips to treat it, and no matter if you have a saddle sore or you’ve just started feeling the symptoms – you’re on the right path to deal with it once for all.
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