Bike riding
Saddle sores often develop in three stages, each one more painful and serious than the last; skin abrasion, folliculitis (which looks like a small, reddish acne), and finally abscess.
Most medical experts say that saddle sores are actually boils caused by skin bacteria that invade surface abrasions.
Avoiding saddle sores is better than curing them, so here’s how:
Stand frequently
This will take pressure from your crotch and restore circulation in the lower part of your body. Getting into the habit of standing for 15-20 seconds every few minutes will greatly benefit.
Move on the saddle
Sit mostly toward the rear where your sit bones get maximum support and take pressure off your crotch.
Lubricate
Lubricating using petroleum jelly, chamois cream or lubricating gel will reduce the friction.
Improve your bike fit
If the seat is too high, your hips rock on each pedal stroke and strum your soft tissue across the nose of the saddle. The result is irritated skin and a greater chance of infection. Have your position checked by the experts.
Buy a supportive seat
Your choice of saddle can make a huge difference. Excessively wide saddles rub your inner thighs. Narrow saddles don’t provide enough support for your sit bones. Thickly padded saddles can press upward between your sit bones, causing uncomfortable numbing pressure. The best choice for any individual rider can only be found through trial and error.
Wear clean clothing each time you ride
It’s imperative that you wear clean shorts each time you ride, to ensure there is no bacterium lurking in the material. If you seem susceptible to saddle sores, you may find it helpful to wash your crotch with antibacterial soap and warm water before lubricating.
Get out of your riding clothes quick
Once you’ve finished don’t sit around in your sweaty shorts that most probably have germs in them. The environment down there breeds bacteria and encourages them to enter abraded skin. Clean up and wear loose-fitting clothes to let your skin breathe.
Femalefirst Taryn Davies
Tagged in Health Skin fitness tips