Saddle soreness

Greg said:

I rode 110 miles yesterday, and am experiencing more saddle soreness
than usual. Of most concern is a small bump abot size of a pea. That
hurts the most. What the heck is that? Does it just go away. I am
currently putting "Bag Balm" on it. I'm in a 190 mile ride next
weekend, so I'm freaking out a little. Anybody have any tips?

Sounds like a hemorrhoid.

http://my.webmd.com/content/article/90/100612.htm

If you're freaking out about it, it wouldn't hurt to go see your doctor
if only to put your mind at ease.

I got something like what you describe when I rode my road bike recently
for a few days for various commuting duties, without padded shorts.

I've never gotten one when riding my recumbents.

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Greg said:

I rode 110 miles yesterday, and am experiencing more saddle soreness
than usual. Of most concern is a small bump abot size of a pea. That
hurts the most. What the heck is that?

Most likely just a blind pimple at this stage, but it could turn into
something much nastier if mistreated. Give it a couple of days
to develop a head, without squeezing it, then heat it up to draw the
pus to the surface (a metal spoon repeatedly dipped in very hot water is
good for this) and squeeze it out gently. Apply antibiotic cream,
and repeat twice daily until nothing more comes out.

At this point it's safe to start riding again IME, but keep it very clean,
keep using the cream and make sure it gradually gets smaller. I find
that they take about three weeks to disappear entirely.

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"Greg"
: I rode 110 miles yesterday, and am experiencing more saddle soreness
: than usual. Of most concern is a small bump abot size of a pea. That
: hurts the most. What the heck is that? Does it just go away. I am
: currently putting "Bag Balm" on it. I'm in a 190 mile ride next
: weekend, so I'm freaking out a little. Anybody have any tips?

Sounds like an infected or ingrown hair follicle to me.

Greg said:

I rode 110 miles yesterday, and am experiencing more saddle soreness
than usual. Of most concern is a small bump abot size of a pea. That
hurts the most. What the heck is that? Does it just go away. I am
currently putting "Bag Balm" on it. I'm in a 190 mile ride next
weekend, so I'm freaking out a little. Anybody have any tips?

There's some stuff called "Witch Stick" (contains witch hazel) which is
formulated for spots and other facial carbuncles. It works pretty well
on the saddle sores too.

I agree with other reponders as to the cause of this and with the recommended
actions (for the most part). I would add, however, that I regularly take
Burdock Root (found in most health food stores) at the suggestion of a cycling
buddy who claimed it acts as a natural, low-level anti-biotic good for skin
disorders. I cannot vouch for his claims but my experience is that with it (and
the recommendations about cleanliness and quality shorts), I have no problems
any more with this.

Greg said:

I rode 110 miles yesterday, and am experiencing more saddle soreness
than usual. Of most concern is a small bump abot size of a pea. That
hurts the most. What the heck is that? Does it just go away. I am
currently putting "Bag Balm" on it. I'm in a 190 mile ride next
weekend, so I'm freaking out a little. Anybody have any tips?

Quoted message said:

I rode 110 miles yesterday, and am experiencing more saddle soreness
than usual. Of most concern is a small bump abot size of a pea. That
hurts the most. What the heck is that? Does it just go away. I am
currently putting "Bag Balm" on it. I'm in a 190 mile ride next
weekend, so I'm freaking out a little. Anybody have any tips?

I've read the other posts which appear to be spot-on from a technical
aspect, but somehow miss the easiest description of what it is- a zit. Plain
& simple. Used to be very common in the days of shorts with "real" leather
chamois. Yuck. Very important to be using high-quality shorts that are
efficient at wicking away moisture, and don't even think, EVER, of putting
on shorts that haven't been washed since the last ride. EVER.

As for treatment, when I was young, stupid & had no future (my bike racing
days),well, if one got nasty enough, you'd have it lanced (pierced with a
knife). Yeah, it would hurt while riding the next day, but that was usually
about it. They'd heal pretty quickly.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

Quoted message said:

well, if one got nasty enough, you'd have it lanced

Just for the record:
"Ugh, my head hurts, Phil..."
"You should get that lanced."

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

These message titles were all within a message of two of each other.
They kind of tell the story of the first post
re: saddle soreness
bottom bracket failure
greatest news ever
puncture proofing
Liquid soap for Grab On

It's a boil. Have a wife or GF nick it with razor and squeeze it all
out. It WILL hurt you will scream in pain but there is nothing like the
pain of a boil popping.

Quoted message said:

It's a boil. Have a wife or GF nick it with razor and squeeze it all
out. It WILL hurt you will scream in pain but there is nothing like the
pain of a boil popping.

And the relationship will be just that much stronger for it (??)

On Sun, 10 Apr 2005 08:11:10 -0500, Greg <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I rode 110 miles yesterday, and am experiencing more saddle soreness
than usual.

Patient: "Doctor, it hurts when I do this."

Doctor: "Don't do that."

jeverett3<AT>earthlink<DOT>net http://home.earthlink.net/~jeverett3

It's a test to love to work on the nether regions of a friend or loved
one

Neil Brooks said:

2) That's a strong contender for the most disgusting ON-topic post
I've seen here in a looong time. Sooo glad you can't post .jpgs on
r.b.t.

Well, I work in health care. I routinely clean up /much/ worse than
that, so maybe I'm desensitized :-)

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bpo gallery at http://www4.tpgi.com.au/users/mvw1/bpo