At some stage in your cycling life, you will experience a saddle sore. They're not pretty to look at and they're rather awkward to talk about too.

On this edition of the Ride With Coach Parry Podcast we chat to our cycling coach Devlin Eyden about how to firstly prevent saddle sores but secondly how to treat saddle sores should you get them.

Saddle sores are something that happens very, very often, but they're not something that gets talked about a lot, cause it’s pretty uncomfortable.

In this post, we'll chat about the best way to treat saddle sores, but most importantly, the best way to avoid getting saddle sores in the first place...

How to prevent saddle sores

Saddle sores are very common and an extremely uncomfortable thing to have.

In terms of preventing saddle sores, you need to first spend a fair amount of time on the saddle to get your sit bones & body used to being in the saddle.

The second thing you want to do if have a proper bike fit. Being on a bike that is not set up properly for you can result in extra, unwanted movement in the saddle, which can result in a saddle sore.

Making sure you’re riding with a good saddle on your bike and a good pair of cycling shorts is also important. Make sure you’re comfortable on the bike and over time, the area will toughen up a little bit.

Also in terms of preventing saddle sores, make sure as well that you’re staying hygienic.

Always make sure you wear clean shorts when cycling.

Chamois cream can help prevent saddle sores when cycling

A good antibacterial chamois cream also helps with the chafe and reducing the friction.

Chamois cream brands differ and you may need to experiment with a few to find the one that works for you. It's nothing that a bit of trial and error can't fix.

When you’ve been out for a long ride and you’ve been nice and sweaty, make sure that you don’t hang around in your dirty, sweaty cycling kit for too long after your ride. Especially if there is a lot moisture around.

You want to get out of that kit as soon as possible. Hop in the shower, get clean up and get some dry clothes on. Make sure that the area stays dry and stays nice and hygienic.

In summary, this is how to prevent getting saddle sore:

1. Get a proper bike fit (So that you don't bounce around in the saddle)
2. Ride in clean cycling shorts.
3. Have a good saddle fitted to your bike
4. Use an antibacterial chamois cream to prevent friction
5. Get clean and dry as soon after your ride as possible

How to treat saddle sores effectively

If you have got a saddle sore, the treatment will depend on the severity of it.

If it’s simply a rash (almost like a diaper rash) and hasn’t manifested too severely yet, rest usually will help. You do get a couple of antibacterial ointments as well that you could apply that just help out.

Stay off the bike for a couple of days rest and you'll be good to ride again.

In more severe cases of saddle sores, you may have a few ingrown hairs. Your first instinct might be to want to start squeezing them. Popping any blisters and boils is not wise and my suggestion is not to do that.

When you start doing things like that, you are just opening that area up to infection. The last thing you want is an infected hair follicle!

Rather stick to just an ointment, a little bit of rest and perhaps 1 or 2 anti inflammatories.

If the saddle sore manifests a little bit more seriously, then as uncomfortable as it might be, to get to a doctor and have them treat it properly.

They can dress the wound and make sure it stays hygienic and we can get it over and done with.

In a nutshell, this is how to treat saddle sores:

1. Rest - Give the affected area time to recover
2. Don't pop or squeeze the inflamed or infected hair follicles
3. Keep the area clean with an antibacterial ointment
4. If the infection is serious, seek medical assistance.