Sores and chafing caused by the saddle, what to do?

Sores and chafing caused by the use of the saddle are a critical point that can spoil the experience for anyone who goes out to pedal. Prevention and knowing how to act to combat them when they have already appeared are key so that our outings do not become a torture.

How should we take care to prevent the saddle from causing sores and chafing

We all know the benefits that cycling has for our physical and mental health. The truth is that like any sport, it also has a less friendly but equally important side. Knowing what negative effects we are exposed to is essential to understand what we should pay attention to and how we should protect ourselves.

Sores and chafing caused by the saddle are a classic in many cyclist's bottoms. Although they do not reach the level of boils -common decades ago and that can appear on long days on the bike with high temperatures-, these two evils can be annoying, spoil our ride, or make it impossible to continue pedaling.

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The first thing is prevention. Avoiding sores and chafing from appearing is the first step -as in almost any treatment- that we must take into account. And if we start from the beginning, we must first attend to the most basic: check that the bike and the saddle are properly adjusted and have a good pair of cycling shorts.

An extra point in terms of prevention is taking off the cycling shorts when we reach our destination -especially when the heat is intense- and cleaning the area as soon as possible.

Also, changing position and standing up from time to time could also help.

Most of these ailments will heal on their own if they are mild or have recently appeared. The important thing is to keep our skin clean and dry. For this, it is advisable to use a mild soap to clean the area, although depending on the case, an antibacterial ointment would also be appropriate. In addition, we must let it breathe as much as possible, so whenever circumstances allow it, we will wear clothing that keeps the area ventilated.

The advice is signed by Molly Hurford in her book 'Saddle, Sore: Ride Comfortable, Ride Happy'. The author emphasizes tea tree oil, which, while recognizing its effectiveness in some people, states that it is better to test how our skin reacts in another area of the body, as a significant percentage of people may experience chemical burns.

To all this, we must add a maxim: if you have a sore, it is better to leave the bike parked. The body is sore, and the area has a special sensitivity, so we must act as we would with any other injury; that is, by resting. Sometimes, just one day will be enough. If the problem persists or presents other symptoms such as fever, heat, or pain, you should see a doctor.

On the other hand, the expert adds that chamois creams are a great idea to prevent chafing, although she believes that if the cyclist considers them necessary on short rides, there could actually be a problem with the saddle or cycling shorts. A separate mention for women in menopause, who the author explains have justified their use even on this type of outings.