It follows you wherever you go, but how often do you think about the health of your butt? You probably don't think about it until you get an itchy or painful bump on your butt.
There are a variety of reasons why bumps and blemishes can form on your butt, from everyday irritations to more pressing health concerns. Acne on the butt is very common, just like acne on the face and back. (More on that below.) On the less benign side, keep an eye out for painful, bleeding, or itchy bumps on your butt cheeks, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Purvisha Patel tells us. Busy. Sores, lesions, and even sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can develop around the buttocks, which may require help from a doctor.
If you notice a painful lump, don't hesitate to walk into your dermatologist's office and ask what's going on. "Doctors check butts all day long, it's part of the job, and you should never be embarrassed," says Dr. Maryann Mikhail, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. "It's always better to speak up so you know what's going on and can get immediate treatment."
Whether it's an over-the-counter (OTC) cream or something from your dermatologist, there's always something you can do to get rid of that bump on your butt and make you feel better. With that in mind, read on for how to tell if a bump or blemish is normal, or if it needs extra care.
1. Normal: Red rash appears after using cleansing wipes
If you feel sweaty, you may want to use cleansing wipes to keep your entire body, including your butt, fresh. While there's nothing wrong with doing this, don't be surprised if the skin on your butt becomes bumpy and red as a result.
"Wet wipes are very convenient, but they can cause irritation or allergic contact dermatitis due to residual chemicals on the skin," board-certified dermatologist Dr. Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, FAAD, tells Bustle. Depending on how sensitive your skin is, you may experience itching or even a bit of burning, but this is not dangerous.
To prevent irritation, Shainhouse recommends avoiding wipes containing methylchloroisothiazolinone, a preservative that may cause reactions in some skin types. She also says that if you have time, rinsing your skin with water will help remove any other remaining chemicals so you can get on with your day.
2. Normal: a red lump
If you have a red rash on your cheeks, it may be caused by a common condition called folliculitis. These inflammatory bumps look a lot like acne on the buttocks, says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Robin Evans, who notes that they are actually pustular lesions.
They tend to flare up when friction occurs between your skin and clothing, which is more likely to happen if you sweat, wear tight underwear or pants, or sit in a wet swimsuit. Once it strikes, the rash can become painful, sore, and even itchy.
If you suspect your rash is folliculitis, try changing out of sweaty clothes, using antibacterial body wash in the shower, or using over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide acne cream.
3. Normal: Acne on buttocks
Face, shoulders, chest, back—acne can pop up almost anywhere. But when it comes to your butt, friction and moisture play a big role.
"Wearing tight clothing or wearing sweaty clothing for long periods of time may make breakouts worse," says Evans. So if you exercise in hot weather or feel sweaty, be sure to change clothes more often and Shower, especially before bed.
While pimples on your butt are nothing to worry about, they can be annoying and slightly painful. To remove them, Evans recommends using an over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide cleaner. "If that doesn't work," she says, "ask your dermatologist for a prescription."
4. Abnormal: Purple lump, difficulty sitting down
If you feel pain when you sit down, your butt is itchy, or you notice a purple bump protruding from your butt area, you may have hemorrhoids. This is not something you should ignore.
"These are dilated blood vessels in the anus and rectum," Scheinhouse said. "These blood vessels can become enlarged and engorged with blood, and often appear as a firm, purple lump protruding from the anus."
If you are pregnant or constipated, you may increase your chance of developing hemorrhoids. Other risk factors include prolonged sitting, a low-fiber diet, and chronic diarrhea. While hemorrhoids usually go away on their own, especially if you use over-the-counter creams, Scheinhouse says some hemorrhoids do require surgery.
The lumps can also be caused by lipomas, which are benign growths of fat, says Patel. "They are softer bumps under the skin that can occur on the buttocks," she says. If you notice it getting bigger, see your doctor.
5. Abnormal: Extremely itchy rash
If your butt cheeks are extremely itchy, it might be time to get them checked out for scabies. According to Scheinhouse, scabies is caused by mites that burrow under the skin, causing horrible itching—sometimes so much that you can't sleep.
"The itching will continue until you treat the mites with a prescription ointment, so see a dermatologist as soon as possible," she says. Remember, it's highly contagious, so tell your partner to get tested and treated, too.
A doctor must diagnose the problem. Treatment includes using medicated lotions and washing all clothing, towels, and bed linens to remove mites.
6. Abnormal: Blisters appear on buttocks
When you think of herpes, you probably think of lip sores or bumps on your genitals. While these are symptoms of this extremely common virus, sores can also appear in other areas, such as the buttocks, anus, and thighs.
"If you have a painful 'pimple' that pops up in the same place every once in a while, it's probably not a 'pimple,'" says Scheinhouse. While there are other possible explanations, consider getting checked for herpes.
Signs of the herpes virus include a group of blisters with a pink base, Evans said. "These lesions cause pain or tingling and usually resolve on their own within one to two weeks, but may recur," she says. “A dermatologist can prescribe oral antiviral therapy to shorten the course of an attack or prevent it.”
If you suspect a bump is a herpes sore, seek medical advice immediately. "It's worth discussing with your dermatologist because treatment can be very helpful, and it's contagious and can be sexually transmitted," says Evans.
7. Abnormal: Large, soft lesions
While acne on the butt is common, you don’t want to sit idly by when it grows to alarming proportions. In fact, if the sore seems to be getting larger, it may be a sign that you have an abscess.
"This oversized acne-like lesion usually starts as a soft, pink bump on or under the skin but quickly turns into a large, painful, swollen bump," Scheinhouse says. Whatever you do, don't try to puncture or drain the abscess because you could accidentally push infection into your body.
"The best treatment is to have your doctor open and drain it," says Scheinhouse. But before your appointment, using an ice pack or heat (whatever feels best) at home may help soothe the area.
8. Abnormal: hot or painful lump
If you have a lump on your butt (or anywhere) that feels hot to the touch, it's definitely time to see a dermatologist so they can take a closer look and determine the cause.
"Any lump that is warm, swollen, painful, or oozing pus could be a serious, deep-seated infection that requires oral antibiotics," Dr. Sonam Yadav, a physician and medical director at Juverne Clinic, tells Bustle. So go check it out asap.
This could be an infected pimple or a more serious condition called cellulitis, a potentially dangerous skin infection that occurs when cracks or cuts in the skin allow bacteria to enter. In more extreme cases, the bacteria may spread throughout your body, so don't ignore it.
9. Abnormal: Moles that change shape
Even though your butt is covered most of the time, protecting it from the sun's harmful UV rays, it's still an area that needs to be checked for skin cancer. This is especially true if the lump or mole in the area bothers you, changes shape, or otherwise feels different.
"Any new mole or patch of pigment, or a mole that changes color/shape/size, oozes blood, or is newly itchy needs to be evaluated," says Yadav. "Skin cancer, especially melanoma, can appear anywhere, including the skin on your butt. Regular skin exams can help screen for suspicious spots."
10. Abnormal: red rash or small bite marks
Yadav said the buttocks are the main site for tick bites. So if you've been outside, check for them and wash them thoroughly when you shower, especially during tick season. Deer tick bites can cause a red, round rash that looks like a bull's eye. Deer tick bites also put you at risk for Lyme disease, a bacterial infection.
Another big butt fan? bed bugs. These tiny parasites can live in your furniture (such as your bed or couch) and will often bite you while you sleep. You may not be able to see them, but you may spot red, itchy bite marks, which tend to be straight lines.
If you are allergic to bed bug bites, you may even develop blisters or hives. Obviously, this requires a trip to the doctor and a thorough bed bug treatment of the entire apartment.
11. Abnormal: Spreading rash
It's hard to see what exactly is going on in the butt area. But if you have an annoying symptom like itchiness, take it as your cue to put down your drawers and get in front of the mirror.
If you notice an itchy rash on your cheeks, it could be a sign of intertrigo, which tends to occur in folds of skin. "It's a red, raw rash that usually appears between the butt cheeks," Mikhail says. "It can sting or burn. Psoriasis, fungal infections, yeast infections and allergic reactions can all cause intertrigo."
At this point, you know what to do. (Yes! Go see a doctor.) No matter the situation, they can provide treatment. Because the last thing you want is a sore butt, especially because you need to sit on it.
Research references:
Leachman, G. (2021). Contact dermatitis. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (Florida): StatPearls Publishing; January 2021 -. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459230/
expert:
Dr. Purvisha Patel, board-certified dermatologist
Maryann Mikhail, MD, board-certified dermatologist
Dr. Tsippora Shainhouse, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist
Robin Evans, MD, board-certified dermatologist
Dr. Sonam Yadav, Physician and Medical Director
