5 Ways to Prevent the Growth of Painful Saddle Sores - Our Guide

One of the most frustrating aspects of cycling as a hobby is that you might develop saddle sores from time to time. Saddle sores are patches on the skin that have been irritated by frequent contact with the saddle. They can present a minor discomfort or can escalate to needing medical attention and medication. 

They are likely caused by hair follicles that have been infected from friction. In severe cases, they can worsen and swell to the size of boils. At this stage, they can become rather painful, especially since they appear in a rather uncomfortable place in the body. 

To that end, we have developed this guide to preventing and reducing the discomfort from saddle sores. 

Wear the right-sized shorts

Cycling shorts have a chamois that is padded to protect the rider. However, not all chamois pads are the same, and different riders will prefer different brands and makes. 

Your shorts should never feel like they’re rubbing you the wrong way. They should be comfortable both on and off the bicycle. Shorts that are too large will move around too much and allow too much friction, and shorts that are too small will apply pressure to uncomfortable spots in uncomfortable ways. 

Find the right bike saddle for you

Every person’s body is different, but the right bike saddle should reduce the incidence of saddle sores or maybe even eliminate them entirely. All that’s needed is to find a saddle that fits your anatomy and riding style. 

Some saddles on the market are specifically designed for comfort, such as our Extra Wide Comfort Saddle Bicycle Seat. The waterproof seat is made of comfortable memory foam, which is soft enough to prevent excessive movement but supportive enough to be stable. 

Adjust the positioning of your bike saddle

Try to find the optimum positioning of your bike saddle. A comfortable position means that you are fully comfortable in your form and that no parts of your body are rubbing and chafing against the other. 

Use chamois cream

In many cases, those first two options are good enough. If the saddle sores persist or if you have more sensitive skin, it might be worth it to consider using a chamois cream. 

Chamois creams contain antibacterial ingredients that prevent pathogens from clustering and infections from forming. They also contain soothing ingredients, such as shea butter and aloe vera. These creams are also designed to serve as a protective barrier or lubricant to reduce friction and chafing.

Be careful with hair removal

More intimate haircuts in the bikini region might make the skin smoother, but they also increase the risk of ingrown hairs and follicle infections—and, therefore, the risk of saddle sores. If you are so keen on hair removal, it might be better to wax rather than shave.

Final thoughts

There are caveats to every hobby, cycling included. However, with the right preventive strategies, you can prevent the growth of saddle sores. You might find that these strategies can eliminate their appearance in time, so long as you have the patience to figure them out. 

If you’re looking for a comfortable bike saddle, send us a message at Cushbike. That saddle might mean the difference between comfort and sores.