Pain in the backside

[Jody]

Hoping someone can offer some advice without a trip to the docs for what seems fairly trivial, although its becoming more of an issue. It started as one or two of what I thought were little spots in the crease line at the top of my leg/bum cheek but only on the left side and are directly under the sit bone. These have now increased in number and have appeared on the right side also and show no signs of going. They are painful when cycling, so have to keep standing up and having an adjust every 5 minutes but are also bugging me any time when sat down.

Always wear fresh shorts, bath straight after and keep that area clean but can't seem to get them under control. Hoping it doesn't get any worse as summer is on its way

Any help appreciated.

 

[vickster]

Could slather on some sudocreme post riding and bathing to see if that helps. Could also see the chemist in the first instance. Might need something on prescription if it's a fungal infection for example

You could also try removing the hair from that area with a bikini like Veet cream, see if that helps?

Also stop using any sort of perfumed soaps and shower gels, just use water and a clean flannel, followed by cetraben cream or sudo. I'd shower rather than bath too until it goes / you know what it is

Best to go to the doctor as worsening, not going and you have done all the obvious things...as you say spring has sprung and it's affecting your riding enjoyment

 

[MichaelW2]

I use a solution of tea tree oil to clean up spots.
Wash your shorts well and leave in the sunlight when we get some.

 

[mjr]

I think they're saddle sores. I suffer from them if I wear padded shorts because a pad edge seam or a crumple or something usually finds its way to that crease (I must have an odd-shaped bum or something) and I have suffered from them when I had a wrong-shape-for-me saddle (that was more of a platform shape than a saddle shape).

I don't get them on my current saddles (Brev.M Sellino, Dawes Grand Tourer, Brooks Flyer or an old Lycett) when wearing flat-seamed plain underwear or especially long-leg bamboo boxers. I found that aloe vera gel and Vaseline Intensive Repair helped them to go away or at least not hurt so flaming much, but both of those take a while to sink in so need putting on some time before dressing.

I hope that some of that helps you. It's not a nice feeling.

 

[mjr]

You could also try removing the hair from that area with a bikini like Veet cream, see if that helps?

Doesn't that stuff say not to apply it to damaged areas? I really wouldn't do that at this point.

Also stop using any sort of perfumed soaps and shower gels, just use water and a clean flannel, followed by cetraben cream or sudo. I'd shower rather than bath too until it goes / you know what it is

Showering instead of bathing is a very good idea. I'd still use soaps, but I tend to have natural ones as my skin is troublesome anyway - honey, tea tree, lime, those sorts of things.

I'm ambivalent about seeking medical attention when it's only sore. If it starts weeping or oozing, I'd go, but I see them quite enough anyway and I guess past prescription-happy doctors have made me wary.

 

[Jody]

Thanks @vickster and @mjray Definitely some things to look in to but think this might end with a trip to the docs. I'm the same as you @mjray that if its not weeping or oozing I feel like I am wasting their time. We use Dove soap which should be fairly mild, but will try using no soap in that area for a while.

One thing that has just come to mind and might be worth a try is how my kit is being washed. What temps for padded lycra shorts and how much detergent should be used?

I use a solution of tea tree oil to clean up spots.

They don't appear to be spots as in acne but do feel like hard little lumps under the skin. Tried squeezing them to no avail and they become REALLY sore.

 

[ianrauk]

Sudocreme before and after a ride.

 

[mjr]

We use Dove soap which should be fairly mild, but will try using no soap in that area for a while.

I thought Dove used to be advertised as not being soap, but I see http://www.boots.com/en/Dove-Original-Beauty-Cream-Bar-100g_1110909/ now calls it soap. It also says it's 1/4 moisturiser so I'd be after something simpler like http://www.boots.com/en/Simple-Pure-Soap-Bar-for-Sensitive-Skin-2-x-125g_870374/ (or a local handmade nature soap).

One thing that has just come to mind and might be worth a try is how my kit is being washed. What temps for padded lycra shorts and how much detergent should be used?

Follow manufacturer instructions. I've seen some that say hot wash and others that say treat as silk with non-biological detergents.

They don't appear to be spots as in acne but do feel like hard little lumps under the skin. Tried squeezing them to no avail and they become REALLY sore.

Yep, that's what I used to get and I made that mistake too before I used a mirror to get a better look

 

[vickster]

Dove is still perfumed. You don't need anything, my dr advised water and Cetraben when I had thrush. Cheapest at tesco pharmacy

 

[MichaelW2]

Spots can turn into cysts under the skin which are basically harmless but uncomfortable if you ride. I had on in my bollock which caused some worry until the doc was sure it was only a cyst. He then had some fun with a scalpel removing it. Sometimes you have yo trust your doctor.

 

[cyberknight]

I had a bout of saddle sores in one spot in the crease between groin and leg, slathered it in sudocrem for a week then lubed up with chamois cream before a long ride and i have been fine since .
I know you havent but i tended to eat dinner before i had a shower after a club run as i get in as the rest of thefamily was eating which didnt help , lesson learnt .
Check to see if your saddle is pointing straight as well .
I would try what others have said and monitor it , you dont want it getting infected so if necessary a trip to the docs .

 

[Jody]

I had a bout of saddle sores in one spot in the crease between groin and leg, slathered it in sudocrem for a week then lubed up with chamois cream before a long ride and i have been fine since ..

Excuse my ignorance but the only time I have encountered Sudocrem was when my nephew smeared a whole tub of it on my mums new settee, resulting in a written off 3 piece suite. Does it wash out of clothes and whats it purpose? Also have the same ignorance of chamois cream

PS. @mjray Two years on this site and I have only just realised your name is not MrJay

 

[ianrauk]

Does it wash out of clothes and whats it purpose

Yes it does wash out of clothes.
Sudocreme is an antiseptic cream for nappy rash and eczema. Chamois Cream isnear enough the same thing.

 

[Jody]

Sudocreme is an antiseptic cream for nappy rash and eczema. Chamois Cream isnear enough the same thing.

Would it be worth using some Metanium? I have normal (every day) and the yellow type at home (yellow being for more severe nappy rash)

 

[ianrauk]

Would it be worth using some Metanium? I have normal (every day) and the yellow type at home (yellow being for more severe nappy rash)

Yeah it's near enough the same stuff. ie nappy rash cream. Just go ahead and try it.