What Do Saddle Sores Feel Like?

They can materialise as hard painful lumps, fluid filled cysts or even abrasions, a little like friction burn. The most common form of a saddle sore is likened to that of an infected hair follicle. Because they can manifest in a variety of ways, there's no exact science for treatment or prevention.

How do I know if I have a saddle sore?

However, a general description would be a sore, often raised area of skin in the region that makes regular contact with the saddle. Some saddle sores look a lot like spots and these are often caused by an infected hair follicle. Sores that look more like boils are usually larger and can be more painful.

How long do saddle sores last?

If you catch them early, they typically go away after a few days off the bike, but deeper sores may take few weeks, he says. See your doctor if you notice that they return frequently; last more than two weeks; or if you have pain that dramatically increases, fever and red streaks at the site.