Health Watch is a Public Service of the Office of News and Publications and is intended to provide general information only and should not replace the advice of a medical professional. You should contact your physician if you have questions about any of these topics.
This week on Healthwatch, we've been talking about bicycling. While biking is good for your health, it can have its own health hazards, especially if you don't take proper care of yourself.
One problem bikers may suffer is saddle sores, the chafing and skin irritation that comes from contact with the bicycle seat.
Dr. Luis Palacios, a sports medicine expert at UT Southwestern Medical Center who is also an avid cyclist, says you can prevent saddle sores with a properly adjusted seat and by wearing cycling shorts with padding that wicks moisture away from the skin. You also need to worry about keeping clean. If you fall, be sure to clean any scratches or scrapes thoroughly to get any road debris out of the wound. Remove your cycling clothing after a ride and wash it before wearing it again to avoid irritation and infection.
Next: Beating the heat.
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May 2005
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