People who have been suffering from acne on the buttocks ought to be aware that the skin ailment that is creating so much distress is not, in fact, an acne infection. That is the good news; the bad news is that the infections which cause pimples on the butt are just as difficult to deal with as real acne.
What is butt acne?
First things first, butt acne is a common skin condition with its own fancy medical name called folliculitis. It looks a lot similar to the regular acne that appears on your face or chest, but it’s an entirely different condition. Folliculitis is “an inflammation of the hair follicle caused by a fungal or bacterial infection (most commonly the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria) or irritation,” Dr. Robinson explains. It’s easy to spot these bumps, as they appear as shallow red bumps at the skin’s surface, which can either show up as a single bump or a cluster. “They may be itchy, and if the bacteria spreads, it may form a deeper boil or cluster of boils which can be painful,” she adds.
What actually causes pimples on your bum?
When bacteria gets trapped in the little tiny hairs on your bum, the skin around the hair becomes inflamed and causes bumps. “A breakout is usually triggered by friction, and environments that foster bacteria—damp, suffocating fabrics—which is why it’s more common to see flares in the summer months or for those who work out and don’t shower immediately afterward,” Dr. Robinson says. A common culprit? Workout leggings, as its the closet to the body and often trap in sweat.
How can you prevent butt acne?
Dr. Robinson suggests keeping your skin clean and dry as much as you can. “Change out of damp clothes as soon as possible and wash your body,” she says. Of course, using the right body wash can help keep the area clean and breakout free. Once your body is cleansed, Dr. Robinson advises using a noncomedogenic lotion “and let it fully dry before getting dressed to not trap moisture.”
For those who work out often, Arm & Hammer Invisible Body Powder Spray will be the star of your gym bag. “It contains baking soda and odor neutralizing ingredients to absorb moisture and sweat,” Dr. Robinson explains. “Spray it on before putting on workout leggings, shorts, etc.”
What should you avoid using when treating it?
Never, ever pick at the bumps. Also, using physical exfoliants can make your condition even worse. “Don’t scrub and exfoliate with a physical exfoliator that contains microbeads because it can cause bacteria to spread, as well as further inflammation and irritation and well as long term scarring.
