Summer Skin Problems

The Summer weather can be glorious, bright, warm or hot, sometimes even dry. Just what we waited for all Winter (and Spring), and most of us are making miles while the sun shines. All this warm weather riding brings with it a host of skin problems which we’d best address early on. One is road rash - sometimes not preventable but often swiftly curable. (See the recipe.)

Another is sun exposure, with long term hazards for skin degradation and cancer. We’d all be advised to remember to slather on an ounce or more of SPF 15 or higher sunscreen before riding, even on a cloudy day. And to re-apply at least halfway through the 100 mile weekend ride.

Soggy skin can lead to fungus or bacteria problems in crotch and feet - and worse, saddle sores.

Prevention steps include removing soggy bike clothes ASAP, and keeping bike clothes scrupulously clean. One wear only before washing. Air out the shoes rather than tossing them in a pile of wet clothing. An antibacterial soap can help keep the bacterial count down after your shower.

Wearing loose clothing can help keep the skin dry for the rest of the day. Bare feet or sandals work fine.

But the scariest skin problem for the cyclist is saddle sores. Even a maxi-mileage toughened butt is not immune to saddle sores. They happen to novices, Cat I’s and the pro riders of the Tour. A little abrasion in the "wear area" will allow the nastiest bacteria entry to a perfect culture medium - warm, moist, nutritious somewhat anaerobic skin tissue.

When a saddle sore is first noticed, it’s just one step past that initial abrasion, and feels like the day’s trip in the saddle has been a bit long.

Do not use alcohol in an attempt to super clean the abraded area, it will de-fat the skin. Rather wash very gently but thoroughly with antibacterial soap and warm water, rinsed well.

But the sore may be still tender after a shower, and it’s time right then to deal with it! Use triple antibiotic ointment, applied several times daily. And use fresh, clean, dry shorts and loose underwear. Letting it all hang out to air is even better.

Failure to notice the abrasion or failure to deal with it successfully will lead to a full fledged saddle sore - an infected boil that opens the way to potentially serious infection elsewhere. And chronic saddle sores have made many a cyclist miserable all summer. A saddle sore that is not obviously healing fast should be brought to your physician pronto. It needs antibiotics.

Last Updated 03/19/08