Boils

[gbs]

Not for the first time I seem to have a boil, or something similar, in a spot that is not convenient for a cyclist. Recommendations please.

 

[Jimidh]

See your GP and get some antibiotics before it gets worse as these can lead to hospitalisation and some surgery if not treated properly.

 

[Crandoggler]

Bit extreme. They normally go down on their own. Chamois cream

 

[vickster]

Or Sudocreme

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

Does every thread in "Health Matters" result in someone replying "go to your GP"?

Not for the first time I seem to have a boil, or something similar, in a spot that is not convenient for a cyclist. Recommendations please.

A saddle sore? Some form of over the counter pain relief might be in order, a decent amount of chamois cream before every ride and something like sudocreme when off the bike if it's already formed.

 

[Jimidh]

Does every thread in "Health Matters" result in someone replying "go to your GP"?


A saddle sore? Some form of over the counter pain relief might be in order, a decent amount of chamois cream before every ride and something like sudocreme when off the bike if it's already formed.

I know of two club members who have ended up in hospital after boils. Our club had a dermatologist who recommends a course of flucloxacillin for them so my suggestion to visit the GP has some weight.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

I know of two club members who have ended up in hospital after boils. Our club had a dermatologist who recommends a course of flucloxacillin for them so my suggestion to visit the GP has some weight.

Possibly. But certainly not as a first consideration. Plenty of other options; "saddle sores" are not uncommon and mostly treatable without visiting a GP. It just seems to me that "go to your GP" has become the standard response in "Health Issues" when loads of other options should be considered.

I know of 100s of club riders who have not ended up in hospital as a result of saddle sores

 

[CaadX]

Squeeze it ffs !

 

[mjr]

New bike.

 

[steve50]

soap and sugar poultice, really old but very effective method for drawing boils etc, http://www.healing-from-home-remedies.com/soap-and-sugar-poultice.html

 

[Nibor]

Magnesium Sulphate cream will draw it out beautifully available over the counter at pharmacies keep it very clean

 

[PenttitheFinn]

There is a possibility that the boil was caused by an ingrowing hair. You must treat this seriously and get your wife/husband etc to check for them as they can lead to many weeks of pain and far worse. If my memory is correct a few years ago an Olympic Athlete was hospitalised by an ingrowing hair close to the spine which turned to a boil.

 

[vickster]

Hopefully it's resolved or at least improved since the post on Thursday @gbs ?

 

[PaulSB]

There is a possibility that the boil was caused by an ingrowing hair. You must treat this seriously and get your wife/husband etc to check for them as they can lead to many weeks of pain and far worse. If my memory is correct a few years ago an Olympic Athlete was hospitalised by an ingrowing hair close to the spine which turned to a boil.

That sounds like a pilonidal sinus which I can guarantee is extraodinarily painful if it becomes infected. I've had one which required minor surgery and then leaving open to heal. In my case they tend to occur in areas of the groin where seams come in contact with skin.

Anyone suffering from boils would be well advised to wash thoroughly before and after riding and apply Sudocreme liberally. Hot flannel to draw out the pus works well.

 

[fossyant]

Carry on riding and patch it up with antiseptic. No cyclists were harmed in this advice !