buttocks cysts

Gary J Johnson

I've developed a pair of epidermal inclusion cysts where my "buttocks meet the saddle" so to speak. After two years of growth one became inflamed for which I was given an antibiotic and directed to have them removed.
I have a Selle Italia saddle with a more or less neutral set-up and I average around 3500 (not a lot, so why cysts?) miles per year of road cycling.
I'm curious if any one out there has experienced this problem or has any information about it. None of the cyclists I know have any knowledge of the problem.
Good cycling to all.

Gary

tonyzackery

I'll tread where no man has tread before and post a reply to this fellow with a significant issue.

From my understanding, your issue could stem from hygiene, or lack thereof. Not implying you don't wash your ass, but what's going on is an excess excretion of oils in that area that are causing boils to form. You need to wash immediately after riding and make sure your shorts/bibs/whatever are clean before you ride. In addition, your problem could be from ingrown hairs - if you shave your butt - stop! Shaving is not a good thing in this area as once you shave and get that smooth feeling, the follicle it's now beneath the surface of the skin and when your riding you're preventing the hair sprout from coming up through the skin's surface. Therefore, it has no other place to go but to become an ingrown hair.

Thankfully, I haven't had this problem but I know the pros get them (saddle sores) with frequency due to the volume of their training and I would imagine shaving in this oh so tender area...My $0.02 worth...

sideshow_bob

I'll add to this. Even with washing, if you are riding lots of volume on consecutive days, it's pretty regular for the area to look a bit red and raw, and to be a haven for infection. So after showering try cleaning with rubbing alcohol as well, I also tend to do this right before bed as well.

--brett

Gary J Johnson

Thanks for your comments Tony. I'm familiar with what you describe as subaceous cysts (have had them elsewhere) though these didn't seem to start as boils or sores. Yet, never having considered that form of development, I wonder if they actually had in fact started that way. Hmmm! Thanks again--appreciate it much.

Gary

Gary J Johnson

Thanks Brett. As in my reply to Tony, I'll have to consider your suggestions as well.

Appreciately,
Gary

matagi

The only piece of advice I would add is to apply a medicated diaper rash cream to the area before riding - yes you are reading that correctly.
Sorry I cannot help with brand names as I'm not US based.

Gary J Johnson

Thanks Matagi--will consider your suggestion.

Gary

zaskar

ASSOS = no more sores.

Gary J Johnson

Thanks Zaskar,

A cycling friend of mine bought a pair and had some QC problems. The new, returned pair has performed very well and he feels that they are worth the price.

Gary

zaskar

Gary i didn't know they made shorts, i use their chamois cream.

This is what i was referring to, sorry i wasnt more clear.

http://www.lickbike.com/productpage.asp?PART_NUM_SUB='2864-00'