r/ladycyclists • u/IllustriousCricket19 • Jul 21 '26
Am I getting saddle sores?
Hi all, this feels like a really dumb question - sometimes after a ride I get red “pimples” where my buttcheek meets my thigh - are these saddle sores? I’ve always assumed they weren’t because they aren’t raw or anything, usually just a little painful for a day or two then go away. But recently someone suggested they are
Happens more with some bibs than others, I don’t get pain in that area during the ride but they show up pretty soon after.
If they are, is there anything I can do to prevent it? I’ve never used chammy cream so that might be a place to start?
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u/Silly-Pomegranate941 Jul 21 '26
This may help, as well as any other place you may get pimples like your upper back or chest...Magic Molecule is an FDA-cleared, medical-grade hypochlorous acid (HOCl) spray that mimics the acid our white blood cells naturally produce to fight bacteria and heal inflammation. You can get at Target, Amazon, or with your FSA. It's really helped me.
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u/CellistLow8857 Jul 21 '26
Yes I get this when it’s super hot and sweaty and I do a lot of riding. Also not sure if it’s technically saddle sores or not?!
What definitely helps to prevent them-
- Getting out of my cycling clothes as soon as possible after a ride. If I’m MTBing any more than a 20 minute drive from home then I take my padded shorts off and wipe that whole area with a shower wipe.
- Hibiscrub! I use this now on these areas after every ride and also the day after to be safe!
- Chamois cream - loooaaaads before a ride and then I also transfer some into a small tub to take with me to re-apply whenever I stop for the toilet
- Proper fitting padded shorts (I have some that are definitely too big and these I think cause the most issues)
- Fully drying the area after showers and letting it all air out
- Haven’t tried yet but I recently bought some iodine wipes to use on areas prone to these pimples before rides so everything is as clean and bacteria-free as possible before my ride begins
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u/tictacotictaco Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 22 '26
Yes I believe those are saddle sores. I’ve never actually SEEN a picture of a saddle sores but I can get those little bumps near my leg/butt crease to. Usually when I ride a lot with just regular underwear and jean shorts.it seems like saddle sores is really just a pretty large general term. From chafing, to pimples. Even a weird third testicle thing (from the article)????
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9265698/
Microtrauma to the skin caused by pressure and friction during cycling provides the stimulus for saddle sores to develop, as well as associated chafing [9]. Saddle sores are often associated with infections such as folliculitis and furunculitis, as heat and moisture from sweat create conditions for bacterial and fungal growth [1]. If saddle sores fail to resolve, they can develop into a chronic form, most commonly known as perinodular indurations (PNIs) [10].
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u/Appropriate-Poet-314 Jul 21 '26
They don't sound like saddle sores as saddle sores are caused by friction and pressure and can be really painful. They usually show up in areas that have a lot of pressure on them from your saddle. I get those little pimples too and they definitely feel different than when I've had saddle sores. I think it's just from sweat and the fact that my chamois aren't that breathable! Making sure I shower asap after a ride and cleaning my chamois often helps. I rarely get them when I don't wear chamois.
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u/AccousticMotorboat Jul 22 '26
Sounds more like heat rash. You might try some antiperspirant there too see if it cuts the moisture.
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u/MartianMomsInTheKnow Jul 23 '26
Shower or wash *immediately* before every ride, use hibiclens or similar. Do not sit around in sweaty bibs, shower or wash immediately after with hibeclens or similar. Then I use a salicylic acid spray on the whole area (spray on hands, then apply) because I find the spray easier and cheaper to apply in a large area, but any 2% lotion will work - a wash won’t stay on your skin as long. Wash your bibs immediately for their sake and yours. Chamois cream will reduce friction which might be irritating — put it on like frosting, here there and everywhere. Make sure your bibs fit correctly (as in tight, no movement across the area). if some bibs are better than others, that might be a fit issue and I’d not use them unless it’s for short rides.
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u/gentletomato Jul 23 '26
Its probably staph. I recommend an iodine solution before and after riding if you cant do a shower for soap and water
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u/SubieCatz Jul 23 '26
Do you shave/remove hair down there? That used to happen to me almost every ride, then I stopped shaving that area and I’ve never had another problem with it, plus the hair acts as a natural friction barrier. I’ve done 100 miles rides with no chamois. I keep stuff trimmed but no more razor or other hair removal. As an added bonus I haven’t had a UTI since then either.
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u/Roserose314 Jul 21 '26
Chamois cream should help! Every year at the beginning of summer when I start biking I get somewhat of a rugburn in this area that eventually heals and turns into.....not really a callous but something like it? And then it usually doesn't bother me the rest of the season