Butt Acne – Causes And How To Deal With Them
Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.
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Acne on your booty? That’s not a pretty sight at all, especially when you want to wear those short shorts! It’s frustrating and embarrassing. Butt acne (also known as ‘buttne’) is quite common and you’re not the only one suffering from it. But hey, don’t worry! You can get rid of the pimples on your posterior easily and shake that booty without a care by following these simple tips! Read on to find out how.
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What Causes Pimples On The Buttocks And Thighs?
The pimples that you get on your butt are actually not acne. They might look like acne, but they are completely different from the acne that you get on your face and chest. These bumps on your bum are mainly caused by infection and inflammation of hair follicles. This condition is called folliculitis, and it is caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. Usually, these bacteria live and thrive on your skin.
Folliculitis appears as shallow reddish bumps that can be painful and itchy. In case of severe infection, it can develop into a large boil or a cyst-like cluster. You can get folliculitis on your butt when you:
- Wear skirts and pants that keep rubbing against your butt the wrong way
- Wear tight pants or workout gear for long, causing accumulation of sweat and oil
- Have poor hygiene
If you are someone who lives in yoga tights or tight jeans, you are unknowingly contributing to the breakouts on your butt. Usually, butt acne goes away on its own. However, regular care is required to avoid further infection. So, if you have acne on your butt (and are well-acquainted with the pain of dealing with it), try these simple ways to get rid of it and prevent it.
How To Get Rid Of Pimples On Buttock
1. Keep Your Private Parts Clean
This is the most important thing that helps in preventing any infection and skin issues down there. When bathing, use a good antibacterial soap to cleanse your buttocks. If butt acne is a regular affair for you, you need to be more diligient with your hygiene. Wash your butt with an antibacterial lotion or soap twice a day. This will help eliminate the infection-causing bacteria present on your skin.
2. Do Not Stay In The Same Clothes For Long
Unless you want to marinate your butt skin in sweat and oil, do not stay in the same clothes for long. Change your clothes and wash your buttocks as soon as you get home from work, a workout session, or anywhere else. This way, the bacteria get almost no chance to grow on your skin.
3. Check Your Clothes
Are your pants rubbing your butt the wrong way? You may look good in them, but think twice before wearing them. What’s your priority – the painful bumps on your butt or style?
Try to wear loose-fitting clothes as much as possible. Check how comfortable the clothes are before buying them. You don’t have to ditch tights altogether, but make sure to take breaks occasionally and wear breathable clothing.
4. Try Using A Warm Washcloth
Soak a washcloth in warm water and wring it to remove the excess water. Place the warm cloth on your butt, particularly the area where you have breakouts. This soothes your skin, opens up the pores, and clears away any bacteria and pus.
5. Do Not Pick On The Acne
You don’t want to exacerbate the breakouts, right? Then, keep your fingers away from those bumps. Picking on the pimples on your butt can infect them and worsen the condition.
Pro Tip: If you feel really itchy down there, keep your hands off your butt and use salicylic acid or glycolic acid pads to wipe the area. This promotes healing.
6. Use Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil helps in treating acne, infection, and wounds. It is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. When it comes to treating acne, tea tree oil works better than benzoyl peroxide as it has fewer side effects (1).
7. Do Not Scrub
Do your butt a favor by not scrubbing it. Be it a scrub or a loofah, anything that creates friction is a strict no-no. Many people believe that scrubbing the butt will give it a smoother appearance. But, in reality, it will worsen the inflammation and also cause scarring.
A Pro Tip: You can use a washcloth to exfoliate your posterior gently. This will help in getting rid of the dead skin cells as well.
8. Take Topical Or Oral Antibiotics
Do this only when the acne gets severe. If your butt swells acne up, turns red, and becomes painful, and home treatment isn’t helping, consult a doctor.
The doctor may prescribe some oral medicines and exfoliating topical ointments containing salicylic acid, glycolic acid, or lactic acid.
9. Moisturize Your Butt Regularly
If you have dry skin, constant contact with clothing will clog up your hair follicles. Moisturize your skin with a hypoallergenic body lotion that does not contain any harsh chemicals and artificial fragrance.
10. Get Up And Move
Stop being a couch potato. Get up and move around. This will not only enhance your overall health but also relieve the constant pressure and friction on your derrière.
Butt acne is a very common issue. Don’t freak out if you get it. An occasional pimple on your derriere once in a while is fine. As long as it is not very painful, itchy, or showing any sign of getting worse, butt acne is manageable. Just take proper care of your butt and improve your body care routine.
Have you ever gotten acne on your butt? How did you get rid of it? Share your tips in the comments section below.
REFERENCES:
- “The effect of 5% topical tea tree oil gel in mild to moderate acne vulgaris…” Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology.
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