How To Treat A Sore Bum After Cycling? (Tips and Guide)

You can do a few things to prevent a sore bum from cycling, such as wearing padded shorts, sitting up straight, and taking breaks often. But if you end up with a sore bum, here’s how you can quickly treat it. 

You can treat a sore bum by taking a hot shower. Heat will help loosen your muscles and relieve pain. You can try applying vaseline to the affected as well. If the pain persists, you may need to see a doctor. In the meantime, try to avoid sitting and relax as much as possible. 

Cycling is a great way to get around, and it’s good for your health, but it can also lead to a sore bum.  

In this article, we will discuss why you get saddle sores from cycling. We’ll also provide tips to help treat a sore bum.

Why Does My Bum Hurt After Cycling?

How To Treat A Sore Bum from Cycling

We’ve all experienced saddle sores at some point. This pesky condition can strike any time, and it’s often accompanied by a feeling of deep fatigue in the legs. So why does cycling make our bums hurt?

When you sit on a bike seat, you’re putting pressure on a sensitive area, and all that pressure can lead to pain and discomfort. 

Additionally, cycling can often lead to chafing and irritation, which can lead to soreness. Sitting on a saddle for too long adds unnecessary pressure on the perineum

This can cause blood vessels to become irritated and inflamed. It is a situation that leads to soreness. 

How To Treat a Sore Bum

There are several ways to treat a sore bum. Below we’ve highlighted some of the most effective methods:

1. Take a Hot Shower After Cycling

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of a hot shower after a long day of cycling. The heat helps relax your muscles. 

It also eases the pain of a sore bum and washes away sweat and grime. And let’s be honest, it just feels good. 

So next time you’re feeling saddle sore, take a hot shower. Your body will thank you for it.

2. Use Vaseline in Affected Areas

If a hot shower doesn’t fix you, you can also try using vaseline or ointment on the affected areas. This will help moisturize the skin and protect it from further irritation. 

  1. First, you’ll want to clean the affected area with soap and water. 
  2. Then, you can apply Vaseline or ointment to the area to help soothe it.
  3. After you’ve applied the Vaseline or cream, use a soft cloth to pat the area dry gently. 
  4. Put a bandage on the spot to keep it clean and protected.

3. Consider Gentle Stretching 

A sore bum can is very unpleasant. But did you know that gentle stretching can actually help relieve tense muscles and reduce pain?

Stretching can be just as effective as over-the-counter pain relievers when treating a sore bum. 

Here are a few stretches to get you started:

  • Sit on the floor with your legs out in front of you. Gently pull your knees toward your chest using your hands. Hold this stretch for 30 seconds.
  • Lie on your back with your legs up in the air. Gently pull your legs toward your chest using your hands. Hold this stretch for 30 seconds.

4. Take a Long Nap

Sometimes just lying down and going to sleep is the best solution for a sore bum. It may sound counterintuitive, but trust us, it works. 

When you’re feeling pain in your rear end, lying down and taking a nap will help you relax and ease the discomfort.

How To Avoid Saddle Sores

There are some pre-cautious activity those can avoid saddle sores.

Bellow are some listed :

(i) Purchase a Comfortable Saddle for Your Bike

Saddle sores are painful lesions that form on the skin and can quickly damage your cycling enjoyment. 

You can do a few things to avoid saddle sores, and one of the best is to purchase a comfortable saddle for your bike. 

A good saddle will conform to your body and distribute your weight evenly. This can help reduce friction and prevent saddle sores.

(ii) Wear Cycling Shorts

Cycling shorts are designed to reduce friction and prevent saddle sores. They are made of a unique material that wicks away sweat and moisture, which can help keep your skin dry and prevent chafing. 

Modern cycling shorts also have a padded insert that helps protect your fragile sitting bones. 

So if you’re planning a long bike ride, make sure you wear a pair of cycling shorts. It’ll make a world of difference.

(iii) Only Cover Short Distances

If you’re new to cycling, you’re especially prone to saddle sores because your body isn’t used to being in that position for long periods.

The best thing you can do is to start slow and only cover short distances at first. As your body gets used to being in the saddle, you can gradually increase your mileage. 

(iv) Take Up All the Space on the Saddle

Take up as much space on the saddle as possible. That way, you won’t be putting all your weight on a small area of your skin, leading to saddle sores in the first place. 

Yes, taking up all the space on the saddle can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you’re not used to it. 

Here are a few tips:

  • Use a wide saddle : A wider saddle will give you more room to move around and will distribute your weight more evenly.
  • Sit up straight : This may seem counterintuitive, but it actually helps you take up more space on the saddle.
  • Position yourself in the middle of the saddle : This will help you avoid putting too much pressure on any one area.

(v) Use Chamois Cream

Chamois cream is a thick, lubricating cream applied to the skin before cycling. It helps to prevent saddle sores and chafing and makes long rides more comfortable. 

Chamois cream is often used by cyclists, runners, and other athletes susceptible to chafing.

However, chamois cream can be quite greasy. You may want to apply it sparingly or only to areas prone to chafing.

(vi) Clean Your Shorts After Every Bike Ride

If you’re an avid cyclist, you probably know that cleaning your bike is important after every ride. That’s because your shorts can accumulate a lot of sweat and bacteria, leading to skin infections. 

So, to keep your skin healthy, it’s essential to wash your shorts after every ride.

(vii) Stand Up While Riding Bike

Standing up on your pedals can help take the pressure off your derriere. This will help avoid pesky soreness. 

Of course, performing this maneuver will take a bit of practice and isn’t easy to do if you’re riding uphill, but it’s definitely worth a try if you’re suffering from a sore bum.

Final Thoughts

You can do a few things to treat a sore bum from cycling. First, take a break from cycling to allow your body to recover. Use a numbing cream or ointment to relieve pain. 

Finally, take a hot shower and consider doing some gentle stretching. By following these steps, you can quickly get relief from a sore bum.

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I’ve been riding (bicycles) my entire life and am passionate about everything that comes along with it. I wouldn’t call myself a true “roadie”. I’m just a guy that loves riding because of the pure joy it brings.

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