HELM
These are the problems
Especially for cyclists who sweat a lot, the padding of the helmet can become a pool of bacteria. The care and cleaning of headgear is often ignored. If the helmet simply ends up in the corner or in a poorly ventilated cupboard after sweaty stages, the textile components often have no chance to dry completely.
These are the consequences
Even if puberty was a few years ago, the forehead may suddenly look like a pimply teenager's again. The scent also tends more towards mustiness and odour than Davidoff.
What you can do about it
The pads on most helmets are removable. Wash out occasionally with soap or washing powder, then dry thoroughly. Generally keep the helmet dry. If a lot of sweat has run into the helmet, use a hairdryer on a lukewarm or cool setting (not too hot!). If you sweat a lot, you should occasionally shower the entire helmet and dry it thoroughly. In stubborn cases, treat the inside with disinfectant spray. Use creams and cleansing syndets with antimicrobial agents ("pimple cream") on the face, possibly after consulting a dermatologist or beautician. Headbands or tube cloths can help to absorb sweat.
DRINKING BOTTLE
These are the problems
With every sip, the cap of the drinking bottle comes into contact with countless bacteria and possibly viruses and fungi - even in healthy people. The typical contents of the bottle leave little to be desired for the microorganisms to multiply: sugar and carbohydrates galore, minerals and trace elements as well as proteins make the nutrient cocktail perfect. Apple spritzer usually already contains starter cultures by nature, which lead to the fermentation of the juice. Bacteria and fungi can multiply rapidly, especially if the bottle is sealed and the outside temperature is warm. The cap and valve of many bottles are difficult to clean and are not reached during a quick rinse. This creates hidden breeding grounds for microscopic organisms, which may even include algae. If you let a thirsty fellow cyclist drink from your bottle on a bike ride, it's a nice gesture, but the other person's mouth flora also gets into the drinking spout.
These are the consequences
Germs can accumulate, particularly in hard-to-reach areas, if the bottle is not properly cared for, but also in the rest of the bottle. If there are pathogens underneath, for example because you have drunk from the bottle with a cold, you can become infected again and again in extreme cases. Mould is also not to be trifled with: Some moulds excrete harmful toxins known as mycotoxins.
What you can do about it
Clean the bottle immediately after each use with hot water, dry the inside and store with the lid open. Never leave it closed on the bike! If possible, unscrew the cap, clean and store separately. If the bottle was filled with liquids other than pure water, it should also be cleaned with washing-up liquid. A bottle brush is helpful for removing solid residues, such as undissolved drink powder. Think about cleaning the bottle when you buy it: Bottles with a wide opening are easier to clean. It is also good if you can remove the lid and valve separately. Special models can withstand hot temperatures of up to 65 degrees in the dishwasher (other bottles can warp), have a smoother, bacteria-repellent surface and can be completely dismantled, for example the "Higene" from Elite or the "Isifeel" (cover/info: www.isifeel.de). If visible mould or mildew stains have already formed in the bottle, it should be thrown away directly as a precaution. TipEvery now and then, dissolve a denture cleaning tablet in the bottle, which has a slightly disinfectant effect. If possible, only drink from your own bottle.
SHOES
These are the problems
It is not only cyclists who often suffer from athlete's foot. Similar to the seat cushion, a moist environment in the shoes and low sock washing temperatures are responsible for this. In addition, people often spend time in fitness studios, indoor swimming pools, saunas, sports halls or other barefoot areas, where the fungi are spread like an epidemic via fallen skin flakes from infected people.
These are the consequences
Fungal infestation is particularly noticeable in the spaces between the toes and on the soles of the feet due to redness, scaling, itching, oozing and possibly inflammation.
What you can do about it
Always dry thoroughly between the toes, preferably individually. Wear slippers in public bathrooms and wet areas wherever possible. Do not walk barefoot in hotel rooms either, especially if they are carpeted. Change socks frequently, prefer cotton or blends with natural fibres. Some manufacturers work silver threads or silver ions into the fabric, which can reduce the odour of sweat. Ventilate your shoes well after training, possibly with a special shoe heater from a specialist retailer or a moderately tempered hairdryer. Remove the inner soles from time to time to help them dry better. It is also effective to leave them to dry in the sun from time to time. Once an infestation has occurred, all shoes and socks must be disinfected, for example with fungicidal (antifungal) athlete's foot spray. Also thoroughly clean all areas at home where bare feet have been walked on. Infected feet must be treated consistently over a certain period of time with fungal ointment from the pharmacy. See a dermatologist if the problem persists. Powder can help to keep the toes dry as a preventative measure if the feet are very sweaty.
BIKING PANTS
These are the problems
There's no doubt about it: bacteria and fungi love the warm and humid microclimate in cycling shorts. The fact that they are usually worn without underwear to avoid chafing is particularly tricky from a hygiene point of view. Because, according to dermatologist and TOUR medicine expert Dr Peter Manstein: "This makes it easy for faecal germs to reach areas where they don't belong." Especially if the skin is chafed or injured due to mechanical stress on the saddle, bacteria can penetrate. Another problem is that sportswear, which is almost always made of synthetic fibres, can normally only be washed at a maximum temperature of 40 degrees. This is not enough to kill germs. Especially on multi-day tours or at training camps, there is sometimes not enough space in your luggage to take enough trousers with you to change every day. If you don't have the time, inclination or opportunity to hand wash, some cycling shorts are worn more often than is good.
The consequences can be
Sitting problems such as pimples or purulent boils in the anal or perineal area are often the result of minor skin injuries and a lack of hygiene: pores or microcracks can become extremely painful if certain types of bacteria have penetrated. Women in particular can quickly develop another problem: "As their urethra is shorter than that of men, intestinal bacteria can easily migrate to the bladder - which can result in persistent bladder infections," warns Manstein. Men's urinary tracts can also be infected by inappropriate germs in this way. Fungal infections in the genital area are also possible. Conventional washing is not always enough to prevent recurring re-infections.
What you can do about it
Cycling shorts should be washed after each use, even if it was only for a short time. If infections have already occurred or if you have sensitive skin or bladder, it is advisable to use a special sanitiser that destroys bacteria and fungi or at least curbs their growth. The added antimicrobial substances can, however, also destroy beneficial bacteria in the sewage treatment plant and make the bacteria that are actually being combated resistant. It should therefore be used sparingly and with caution in acute cases or as a preventative measure in cases of high susceptibility to infection.
If you have not had any problems so far, you can usually get by with normal detergents, even at low temperatures. Studies have shown that heavy-duty detergents with bleaching agents have a stronger germicidal effect than colour or mild detergents, which are free from such substances but are usually recommended by manufacturers for delicate textiles. TipLeave the pad of your cycling shorts in the sun for a while: UV rays kill microorganisms.
As the washing-active substances themselves can also irritate the skin or restrict its barrier function, Dr Manstein also recommends rinsing the laundry as thoroughly as possible. The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment takes a critical view of the germ-inhibiting finishes sometimes used by the textile industry in seat upholstery due to possible health risks, especially as they feign cleanliness rather than guarantee it. If at all, "impregnations with silver are better than organic additives", recommends Dr Manstein.
Best in any casePrevent and protect the skin on longer tours by always applying good cream to the seat area. Seat cream or - especially in the case of existing inflammation - soft zinc paste are suitable. However, the dermatologist advises against using deer tallow or Vaseline, which are also well-known among cyclists, as well as ointments with lots of essential oils, which have an antimicrobial effect but can sometimes irritate the skin and trigger allergic reactions. In the case of hair follicle inflammation, compresses with disinfectant, non-alcoholic products from the pharmacy can provide relief.
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