Everyone has some booty acne every now and then. Sweaty clothes, tight pants… these are just some of the irritants causing them. Butt acne is often caused by blocked pores, or it could not be acne at all. Many mistake folliculitis for acne. These red pimples are actually irritated hair follicles.
Treat the problem with benzoyl peroxide. When shopping for cleansers, check to see if they have benzoyl peroxide as an active ingredient, like PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash. This will help with bacterial folliculitis. If your folliculitis is caused by a fungus, then you can try washing with a dandruff shampoo. This will need some time to sit on the skin for it to work properly. If it doesn’t seem helpful, a dermatologist may prescribe medication.
Tea tree oil is also antibacterial and has anti-inflammatory properties. You can purchase tea tree oil treatments or soaps with it as an ingredient. *
Another option is to treat your bottom with a warm compress. The warm moisture will help draw out bacteria without causing inflammation. Simply soak a washcloth in a warm saltwater solution and rest it against your skin for about 15 minutes.
You can prevent butt acne by regularly washing with an antibacterial soap. This is the best way to ditch any physical irritants. Be careful exfoliating! Scrubbing with a loofa can actually cause more irritation. You can try gentle exfoliators like ones with lactic acid or salicylic acid. Lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that helps get rid of dead skin cells. You can purchase a lactic acid lotion, like AmLactin Body Lotion, and massage the affected area.
Next, make sure to wear loose-fitting clothing. Tight clothing, especially sweaty gym clothes, is a breeding ground for bacteria. This means hopping into the shower after a workout and ditching those sweaty clothes for a dry set.
If these don’t help, then consider switching out your laundry detergent or fabric softeners. If your acne is actually turning into boils or you have a weakened immune system, then you may need to check in with a doctor for some extra help.
