Saddle sores: how to prevent and treat

Saddle sores can be a drag. Even though they can be small, they can make cycling unbearable. There’s a few different kinds of saddle sores. It can come in the form of an inflamed hair follicle, an infection caused by bacteria, or skin irritation from excessive chafing. If you’ve had one before, you know that it can ruin your riding experience.

Molly Hurford, author of the book “Saddle, Sore: Ride Comfortable, Ride Happy” is, as you can guess, an expert on the area. She says that it’s not just about treating it when you get pain down there, but preventing it, as well.

Treating saddles sores

“Remember two things, clean and dry,” Hurford says. “Really, most saddle sores will heal on their own when they’re minor or fresh. Your goal is to keep that area clean with a gentle soap, and maybe a bit of a Polysporin or other antibacterial ointment, and let it breath as much as possible. So that means wearing  something that keeps things airy down there like boxers or a long skirt!”

Hurford also says that some people swear by tea tree oil, but test another area of skin before trying this, as plenty of people find that tea tree oil, while antibacterial, is also far too caustic for that sensitive skin and can actually cause chemical burns.

Time off or keep riding?

When you’re hurting in your undercarriage, at what point should you take a break?

“Anytime you have a saddle sore that causes pain when you start pedaling, that’s a sign to take a day or two off and let the area heal, it won’t recover if you don’t let it!” Hurford explains. “Think about it the same way you would think about any other injury. We don’t (or shouldn’t, at least!) ride the day after we have a bad crash or gash our knee, so why do we push through a saddle sore? Usually, a day off will go a long way to clearing up the issue. If it doesn’t go away, or if the area is hot to the touch and really painful, or if you develop a fever, definitely see a doctor. Those are signs that you have a more serious infection, which sounds gross, but can happen!

Prevention is key

The cyclist and author says that there are a few simple ways to prevent the dreaded saddle sores. That includes proper bike fit, a good saddle and shorts combo that doesn’t cause discomfort. “These three things are the holy grail, really, basically. Seriously, if those things are in place, you’re in great shape to avoid saddle sores,” she says. “The other big thing, especially in the…