When you experience a breakout on your butt, it may look like pimples. However, these blemishes are often a skin condition other than acne, such as folliculitis, boils, contact dermatitis, or keratosis pilaris. These skin conditions can be common, especially if you swim, use a hot tub regularly, or shave your skin improperly.
Red bumps or pimples on the buttocks are typically not acne. Instead, these blemishes are likely a skin condition caused by an infection, a buildup of protein, or irritated hair follicles. Here are some common causes of acne-like breakouts on your buttocks.
Folliculitis
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Folliculitis is when hair follicles become inflamed, resulting in red, raised bumps that look similar to acne. You can develop folliculitis anywhere since you have hair all over your body, including on your buttocks.
Your hair follicles can become inflamed from wearing tight clothing, using a hot tub, sweating, or developing ingrown hairs from friction. Folliculitis typically goes away on its own.
Keratosis Pilaris
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Keratin is a type of protein found in your skin and hair. While its primary purpose is to keep your skin and hair strong, it can also build up in hair follicles. When this happens, you can develop a red, raised, bumpy rash known as keratosis pilaris. It most often occurs on the buttocks, thighs, and arms.
Some people find the rash itchy, but it is not contagious or dangerous. Sometimes, keratosis pilaris will go away on its own without treatment.
Contact Dermatitis
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Contact dermatitis is a skin reaction that occurs when the skin comes into contact with a substance you are allergic to or that is irritating to sensitive skin. This may include poison ivy, cleaning products, soaps, detergents, and more.
This skin condition usually appears as red bumps on the skin and may eventually form blisters. In some cases, the rash may become scaly and thick. A dermatologist, a medical doctor specializing in skin, hair, and nail conditions, can help you determine whether an allergy is responsible for the rash and what type of treatment you need.
Boils
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When a bacterial infection of the hair follicles penetrates deeper into the skin, it can result in a boil—a red, raised bump that is often tender to the touch. Also known as a furuncle or carbuncle, a boil can be as small as a pea and swell to the size of a golf ball. It can also feel warm and produce a discharge.
Boils most commonly appear on the face, neck, armpits, buttocks, and thighs. In most cases, a dermatologist can drain the boil with a small incision.
Developing an acne-like skin condition on the buttocks can be painful, and sometimes itchy. Depending on the type of skin condition and its symptoms, several at-home remedies and treatments can help relieve the blemishes:
- For folliculitis and boils: Apply a warm compress three to four times a day for 15-20 minutes at a time. For boils, specifically, keep the area clean and dry.
- For contact dermatitis: Stop using the product(s) that caused the condition or avoid the allergen that caused the rash. If the substance causing your condition cannot be avoided, a dermatologist can tell you how to protect your skin. If the rash is seeping or leaking, calamine lotion or colloidal oatmeal baths can help.
- For keratosis pilaris: Exfoliate your skin and apply a keratolytic that contains either alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA), glycolic acid, a retinoid, salicylic acid, or urea. You can also use a moisturizer, especially if your skin feels dry.
- For itching: When a rash is itchy, apply a cool compress to help reduce inflammation and itching.
- For ingrown hairs and irritation: If you believe shaving, plucking, or waxing is responsible for the infection or rash, stop these treatments for at least 30 days.
There are ways to prevent acne-like rashes that are common on the buttocks. Here are some prevention strategies:
- Wear loose clothing. Tight clothing can rub against tender skin and cause irritation, especially when it is hot and humid. Wear loose, breathable clothing to avoid irritating or clogging your hair follicles.
- Moisturize your skin. If you are trying to prevent keratosis pilaris, keep your skin moisturized. Use an oil-free product and apply it right after a bath or shower. You should also use moisturizer if your skin feels dry.
- Keep your hot tub clean and well-maintained. When hot tubs are not clean or properly maintained, you are at risk for skin infections and folliculitis. If you are traveling, you may want to avoid hot tubs if you are unsure whether the acid and chlorine levels are properly controlled.
- Wash bathing suits after each use. To reduce your exposure to bacteria that can cause folliculitis, wash your bathing suit after every use. Let it dry completely before wearing it again. This will help protect your skin from developing folliculitis and other skin conditions.
- Use care when shaving or waxing. Improper shaving and waxing can lead to folliculitis and other skin conditions. Take care of your skin when shaving to prevent potential issues.
- Apply products in the direction of your hair growth. Sometimes skin care products and medications can cause reactions when they are not applied correctly. Applying products in the same direction your hair grows can help prevent rashes.
- Maintain good personal hygiene. Bathing daily and keeping your buttocks clean and dry can help prevent boils, folliculitis, and other skin conditions. If you cannot bathe daily, aim to wear clean clothes and dry any sweaty skin.
Most of the time, you can treat folliculitis, contact dermatitis, keratosis pilaris, and boils at home. If these conditions do not improve within a week or appear to get worse, you should contact a healthcare provider.
You should also contact a medical professional if you have a boil and an underlying health condition like diabetes or a compromised immune system. Seek medical care if your skin condition is accompanied by:
- Fever
- Severe pain
- A foul smell
- Leaking discharge
- Increasing size
- Swelling
- Red streaks or other skin discoloration
Typically, the pimples you see on your buttocks are not an acne breakout. They are likely caused by folliculitis, boils, contact dermatitis, or keratosis pilaris. These conditions can usually be treated at home with compresses and lifestyle changes.
If the skin condition does not go away in a week with home treatment, or if you have other symptoms like a fever or severe pain, you should see a healthcare provider for evaluation and treatment.
