Spending hours on your bike may seem ideal, particularly if you’re in love with cycling. But while that looks like a perfect scenario, it can result in injuries known as saddle sores.
These types of injuries can affect anyone, no matter what equipment they are using. The problem with saddle sores is that they are extremely uncomfortable, while worse ones may even require surgical removal. What’s more, they can make you unable to use your bike for weeks or months if they are infected. Therefore, it is essential to know how to handle them and preferably prevent them in the future.
This article will tell you how to prevent and treat saddle sores.
Saddle Sores – Diagnosing Them
There are different types of saddle sores that may affect a person. Usually, they are caused by a badly fitting pair of padded shorts, poor compatibility of the saddle, or friction. Here are some of the most common saddle sore forms:
- Chafing
Chafing affects the inner thighs most of the time, the main reason being the friction caused by rubbing against the saddle continuously when you are pedaling. Other times, chafing is the result of shorts that do not fit properly and shift around while you move. Things are even worse if the shorts aren’t breathable.
- Folliculitis
When you see inflammation of the area around the base of a hair follicle, this is called folliculitis. It is the result of fungus and bacteria buildup. A lot of times, folliculitis doesn’t cause any pain, while other times it causes swelling or itching. It goes away in a few weeks in general. When it becomes infected, it can turn into furuncles.
- Furuncles
Furuncles form around a hair follicle’s base and they are quite painful and firm. They are filled with pus very often. Popping them is very tempting, but doctors do not recommend doing this.
- Skin Ulceration
When you deal with skin ulceration, it is usually caused by severe chafing. It involves the first layer of skin being removed, which then makes the deeper skin layers more vulnerable and more likely to be affected by bacteria.
How Do You Treat Saddle Sores?
Treating saddle sores is necessary if you don’t prevent them. The best thing to do is take some time off. This means that you should stop using your bike for the time being and spend some time relaxing for a few days. The skin should heal during this time. If you keep riding instead, the skin problem will only get worse.
You may also want to try cleaning and disinfecting the area on a daily basis. You should do this with products free of chemicals. Use some antibacterial cream as well.
Also, you can try out some CBD softgels with curcumin, as they can balance the natural inflammatory response of the body and help you relax.
How to Prevent Saddle Sores?
Although you can treat saddle sores, it is best to prevent them. They can be pretty painful, and you won’t be able to enjoy your bike for a while – so, you don’t want to deal with them at all. Here are some of the best ways to prevent saddle sores.
- Use a Different Saddle
There are many types of saddles out there, and you can pretty much get them in multiple sizes or shapes. They will also be different based on the riding position they are made for. If you feel like your old one is causing issues, you should look for a new one that works better for your position. After all, the saddle is the bike area that touches your undercarriage area the most.
- Try a Bike Fit
Before doing anything else, you may want to check whether the bike fits properly or not. Perhaps you are leaning forward too much, which causes your weight to go to your soft tissues, or you are rocking your hips while pedaling and overstretching.
- Maintain Hygiene
It’s essential to maintain your hygiene all the time. Your shorts should be changed between rides, and you must always keep them clean. Also, once your ride is over, remove them, because the sweat absorbed by them will only allow the bacteria to breed and result in saddle sores.
- Buy a Good Pair of Shorts
Make sure you invest in quality pairs of shorts. The good ones will be made of quality materials and will involve less friction risk, thus allowing you to prevent saddle sores much easier.
So, are you dealing with saddle sores? Try these measures to treat and prevent them in the future, and you will be able to enjoy your bike with no time off.
