There’s almost nothing as painful as dealing with saddle sores during cycling. They really hurt. If you try to just suffer through the pain and hope they’ll go away on their own, you can end up with much bigger problems. Don’t ignore them, because a sore can get worse and turn into a hard, persistent lump called a cyst which can sometimes even require surgery for removal.
Here’s a baker’s dozen of preventive tips that should keep you from developing saddle sores or cysts.
—Always wear clean shorts.
—Wear snug-fitting shorts so the liner can’t shift and chafe.
—If your shorts (or saddle) are uncomfortable, find something more compatible with your anatomy.
—Use a chamois lube to reduce friction and abrasion.
—Get out of shorts ASAP after a ride.
—Shower or at least wash your crotch ASAP after a ride.
—Wash with an antibacterial soap if you’re susceptible to sores.
—Treat “hot spots” with an OTC acne gel or the prescription product called erythromycin (Emgel).
—Sleep without pants to keep your crotch dry overnight.
—Consider a course of antibiotics at the first sign of infection.
—Be sure your saddle’s height and angle are correct.
—Stand frequently and shift position on the saddle to relieve constant pressure.
—Take several days off if a sore is getting angry. Better to heal it now than let it become something that only a scalpel can cure.
Saddle sores are a big subject. Here are three terrific articles written by our expert contributors that cover them in great depth from different perspectives.
A Primer on Saddle Sores, by Rick Shultz
A Guide to Saddle Sores, by Arnie Baker, MD
How to Solve Saddle Sores, by Fred Matheny
Me and my cycling buddies that have gotten saddle sores and cysts use a product called Prid. It’s a topical cream that works great. It can be difficult to find but my local huge multipurpose store has it in the health care section. It’s very gooie and takes a few washings to get out of shorts but is well worth the effort.
I’ve gone through a dozen saddles, 6 or 8 different brands of shorts, and tried about every type of cream, salve or powder I can find without success. 6 months ago I was in my LBS telling them my problem. They recommended dznuts pro. It is by far the best product to relieve saddle sores that I’ve tried.
I ALWAYS use chamois cream so I’ve NEVER had a problem.
I hate chamois creams, but discovered that Body Glide (which I first bought as an aid in wrestling on a tight wetsuit) can be applied to one’s bum just like a stick deodorant goes on your underarms, and works quite nicely. It is completely mess-free and just waxy enough to prevent any chafing, but is easy to target by putting it directly on your spots of concern instead of on your shorts. I’ve had no issues at all since I started using it.. Apparently, there is a variant now from the same company called “Cycle Glide” which I haven’t tried but certainly will when my current supply of the original product runs out.
I immediately wipe down with witch hazel, an astringent. Have been fine since doing this
I used to get them, but since I’ve been adopting a modified surgeon’s scrub, I’ve gotten exactly zero, I simply wash my crotch with regular soap [no need for antibacterial, which I worry may encourage antibacterial resistant strains over time] for 90 seconds; a good hard scrub with my hands. No need for chamois creams. Simple and cheap. I do, however leave a layer of soap on me before putting on my shorts.
I’m still trying to figure out what works best for me to prevent/reduce saddle sores. Right now im using anti monkey butt powder and making sure to keep things clean and dry down there. I think investing in some higher quality riding shorts or pants will help out too.
Readers have also made several suggestions on this page.
https://www.roadbikerider.com/how-to-solve-saddle-sores-2/
Several comments about oregano oil. (I have never tried it personally.)
I kept getting sores in the exact same spot (upper inner thigh near groin area) no matter what I did. I switched saddles, tilted the saddle downward, used ointments/creams etc. In the end what is working for me now is to simply apply moleskin to the area and that helps prevent them entirely. Don’t tear it off after the ride as the skin is delicate. Apply vaseline or cream in the shower to gently break down the adhesion.
Obviously keeping you and your shorts clean is first and foremost. I never use creams or lubes because these are a sure home for fostering bacterial growth. – i Don’t see the point. High quality shorts (and perhaps the correct saddle choice) are also a factor to prevent abrasion, as mentioned. Assos and Q36.5 allow the chamois to move with you rather than with the legs pulling on the shorts .
Save your money on creams, lubes and powders. Use cornstarch in your nether regions. My dermatologist recommended using it after my use of Vaseline caused jock itch. Cornstarch helps keep you dry and acts as a lubricant. I have had no problems since I switched years ago.
I’ve been athletic all my life and when younger had such serious sores that I ended up at University of Michigan seeking expert help. Besides all the suggestions in these comments there is one rule. NEVER scratch your butt or skin. You are opening up small areas which will infect. NEVER, NEVER scratch anything which tends to get sores after, before, or during exercise.
In addition to some of the tips here, after showering and towel drying, I use Gold Bond medicated body powder to prevent heat bumps on my cheeks and for prevention in my soft tissues. The talc helps to absorb moisture and the other ingredients help heal chafed spots and prevent infection after rides. It’s very humid in SE Texas, so my bike shorts are usually very damp or wet after riding 40+ miles. It seems to work well for me.
Back in the day, I heard about using Noxzema. Always have used it, never a problem.🤞 Water soluble and doesn’t mess up the washing machine like the other long-ago suggestion of Bag Balm. Ha!
My doctor, recommended that I keep myself clear of hair as possible after he removed a a cyst that was in the cradle contact region. I have been cyst free since follow his advice and many of the other suggestions in the article. I would also recommend using a bidet. I purchased a cheap one during the first Covid toilet paper shortage and will never go back to smearing bacteria around my but with toilet paper.
It would be better if we had more choice of chamois pads in our shorts. As far as I can discover, no manufacturer offers different sized pads for different shorts sizes. The result is that it is hard for a small woman (me, for example) to find anything that does not simply get in the way and apply extra pressure & resulting chafing in spots where pressure relief is not needed. I just returned from an 8 day, 500 mile ride – did everything right – but by the end was really only able to ride with loose shorts over very lightly padded liners or one remaining pair of ancient shorts that have very little chamois left in them. Really, the chamois is helpful to relieve pressure, but my experience tells me that it makes chafing issues worse. Yes, I have tried all the brands that are named here, and others.