“I keep getting small red or painful bumps on my butt, and sometimes they look exactly like pimples. I shower regularly, so I’m embarrassed that they keep coming back and I want to know what is actually causing them”
They Might Not Actually Be Acne
The first thing to know is that what looks like butt acne often isn’t traditional acne. Folliculitis, which happens when hair follicles become irritated or inflamed, is one of the most common reasons for pimple-like bumps on the buttocks. It can look like small red bumps, white-headed pimples, or clusters of irritated spots.
Your buttocks can also develop keratosis pilaris, ingrown hairs, boils, or, less commonly, actual acne. So the appearance alone doesn’t always tell you what you’re dealing with.
Sweat, Friction and Tight Clothes Can Make It Worse
Your buttocks spend a lot of time exposed to sweat, pressure and friction. Sitting for long periods, exercising in tight clothing, or staying in damp clothes can irritate hair follicles and create an environment where bumps are more likely to develop.
This doesn’t mean you’re dirty. In fact, aggressively scrubbing the area can make irritation worse.
Changing out of sweaty clothes after exercising, wearing breathable clothing and gently washing the area can help reduce repeated irritation.
Shaving and Waxing May Be the Trigger
If you remove hair from your buttocks, pay attention to whether the bumps appear afterward.
Shaving, waxing, plucking and very close hair removal can damage or irritate hair follicles. That can lead to folliculitis or ingrown hairs that look remarkably similar to pimples.
If you notice a pattern after hair removal, giving your skin a break may help. Avoid repeatedly shaving over irritated bumps, and don’t pick at them.
What Can You Do About Them?
Start with the basics rather than attacking the area with lots of products. Wash gently, change out of sweaty clothes promptly and avoid clothing that constantly rubs against the affected skin.
For some types of mild breakouts, an acne wash containing benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid may help, although these ingredients can irritate or dry the skin if overused. Don’t squeeze or pop the bumps. Picking can increase inflammation, cause infection and leave darker marks or scars behind.
Pay Attention If the Bumps Are Deep or Keep Coming Back
A few occasional bumps are usually not something to panic about. But repeated, deep, painful lumps deserve more attention.
If bumps become large, very painful, drain pus or blood, leave scars, or repeatedly appear around the buttocks, groin or areas where skin rubs together, they may be something other than ordinary folliculitis or acne. Hidradenitis suppurativa, for example, can cause recurring deep, painful, acne-like lumps and scarring.
You don’t need to feel embarrassed about asking a doctor about this. Buttock bumps are common, and figuring out the cause is much more useful than continually trying random skincare products.
Having buttock bumps says nothing about your hygiene or how well you take care of yourself. Your skin doesn’t have to be perfectly smooth to be normal.
