Fact Checked
Individuals who engage in cycling end up with pimples and chafing on the buttocks or inner thighs and they can be painful and uncomfortable during rides. With proper treatment, it can minimize the symptoms as well as promote faster healing. If you want to properly manage the symptoms, all you have to do is register for first aid training today.
Friction and rubbing can make the pimples and chafing worse. It can be treated by applying petroleum jelly or baby powder on the affected area. Pimples are red with a white, elevated center while chafing is usually caused by the rubbing or sweaty skin which eventually develops a red-brown rash.
Treatment of cycling pimples and chafing
- Take over-the-counter medications in order to prevent bacterial infections. It is important to note that erythrasma is a bacterial infection that is caused by chafing and must be treated with antibiotics. Inverse psoriasis is a form of chafing that is caused by friction particularly in the legs against a bicycle seat and the treatment involves anti-inflammatory medications or corticosteroids.
- Keep the affected area clean. Take note that pimples can develop when the follicles have excess of oil and dead skin cells. Clean the affected area using a gentle cleanser to remove excess oil and dead cells in order to prevent more pimples from erupting. In addition, clean clothing can also prevent pimples.
- When cycling, it is recommended to wear shorts made from materials such as 100% cotton since these can help minimize friction and allow the pimples and chafing to heal even while engaging in cycling. It is also recommended to utilize clothing made out of technologically-advanced wicking fabrics in order to remove sweat from the skin and minimize irritation while cycling.
How to prevent cycling pimples and chafing
- Use a bicycle seat that suits the body proportion perfectly.
- Utilize a padded chamois to be placed inside the tight spandex short in order to give an additional layer of protection in between the body and the saddle. A chamois is made from foam, gel or leather and for prevention of rubbing and soreness caused by impact and vibrations. A cycling short should fit tightly in order to prevent movement while riding, which can result to chafing and it can be worn underneath regular clothing.
- Use chamois butter which is a lubricant used to prevent chafing in cycling shorts and it can also be used for chaffed cheeks.
- Keep the body dry during the ride by using a thin moisture-wicking lining short which is placed inside the cycling shorts by wicking out perspiration from the body. Do not forget to dress properly for the temperature in order to avoid overheating and excessive sweating. Baby powder should be used before a ride in order to lessen the chafing effects of wet and damp skin.
- Create a homemade lubricant to treat chafing of the skin by mixing Vitamin A and D ointment with Vaseline and then add ¼ cup of Vitamin E cream and aloe vera cream. Take note that vitamin E and aloe vera cream helps minimize pain and blisters due to chafing and also prevents future chafing of the skin.