Blackheads On Butt: Butt Acne And Other Causes

butt blackheads

butt blackheads

Mai Delacruz

Mai Delacruz
Personal Fitness Trainer & Health Coach

Updated on 3/18/2023

Why do these breakouts keep happening, and what can be done to stop them? If you have Blackheads On your Butt, you may mistakenly believe that you have acne on your butt. Acne can, technically, appear on the skin of your butt, but this is not a typical location for acne outbreaks to manifest themselves.

You are more likely to have another ailment, such as folliculitis or keratosis pilaris, which can seem like acne. The bump that appears like a pimple on your butt may be a boil.

This article discusses the various factors that might lead to butt pimples and their mimics. You will also discover how to prevent them and how they may be treated with drugs available both over-the-counter and by prescription.

Butt Pimple Causes

Butt Pimple Causes

Butt Pimple Causes

Butt pimples generally have a distinct look that varies according to the underlying reason.

Although other types of acne can bring about butt pimples, this is not the most prevalent reason.

  1. Acne is to appear on other regions of the body, such as the face and chest, then it is to appear on the buttocks or the area around them.
  • Various conditions and acne can cause 2 Pimples on your butt.

Acne

Your butt has pores, the same as pores found in the skin on the rest of your body. Acne is often the result of pores on the skin being clogged for whatever reason. 

  • Acne vulgaris, the most prevalent acne, most frequently appears on a person's face. However, acne can also appear on other body parts, including the chest, shoulders, back, and, less frequently, the buttocks.
  • Consult a dermatologist if your acne is severe and extensive. Acne that occurs in the body almost often requires medical attention in the form of medicine.

Do You Require An Acne Medication To Be Prescribed To You?

Folliculitis

Folliculitis

Folliculitis

If you glance down at your butt and see anything that resembles a pimple, you could conclude that you have acne. Spots that are red and swollen are most often caused by a condition known as folliculitis, which refers to an inflammation of the hair follicle. 

  • You have hair follicles in almost every place on your skin, even your butt. These hair follicles produce hair. When a hair follicle is inflamed, it will become red and swollen if the irritation is severe enough. The swollen pimples may develop into a white head that resembles acne on the buttocks. The lumps may also be unpleasant or irritating. However, these sensations are not always present.

Folliculitis is a skin condition that can appear virtually anywhere on the body. The following are some of the reasons why:

butt blackheads

butt blackheads

  1. Clothing that does not fit loosely might produce friction, irritating hair follicles.
  2. Sweat can be irritating to the hair follicles.
  3. Even if you do not sweat excessively, wearing undergarments made of a material that does not allow air to pass through, such as nylon or polyester, can trap moisture against your skin and irritate your hair follicles.
  4. Bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa are examples of pathogens capable of infecting hair follicles.
  5. If you spend time in a hot tub or pool, you risk developing a kind of hot tub folliculitis. Especially true if the hot tub or pool is not maintained correctly.

Is It Possible That Hot Tubs May Cause Back Acne?

Keratosis Pilaris

Keratosis Pilaris

Keratosis Pilaris

Keratosis pilaris is a relatively common skin ailment that can generate red pimples or more minor bumps that are the same color as the skin. These are often relatively little and scratchy, but you might not detect them until you run your palm over the afflicted area for the first time. 6

The bumps caused by keratosis pilaris may resemble goosebumps or even minimal acne. Keratosis pilaris bumps do not tend to come to a head, in contrast to butt acne pimples.

Keratosis pilaris bumps are caused by an accumulation of the protein keratin, which is responsible for forming a protective layer on the skin's surface. This accumulation occurs around the pore entrance. When keratin accumulates, it has the potential to harden into a clog, which is what causes the bulge that you can see and feel. 

  • Keratosis pilaris is a disorder that can be irritating, but it does not pose any health risks.

Keratosis pilaris most frequently appears on the fronts of the thighs, the backs of the upper arms, and the buttocks of the affected individual. Keratosis pilaris is a common skin condition affecting children's faces (usually on the cheeks).

There is no clear explanation for what causes keratosis pilaris; the condition sometimes runs in families. The symptoms of the illness tend to be at their worst throughout childhood and adolescence, although they gradually improve as time goes on. 6

What Is Keratosis Pilaris?

Boils (Skin Abscesses)

Boils (Skin Abscesses)

Boils (Skin Abscesses)

Acne bumps on the face or the butt may occasionally be enormous. It is true whether you're dealing with facial or butt acne.

On the other hand, if you have a painful pimple that is enormous in size or a cluster of sore spots on your butt, it is more probable that you have a boil (skin abscess).

A boil will develop on the affected area when a hair follicle becomes infected. They start tiny but have the potential to develop into huge marks very fast, and they are also very painful.

Buttocks are a popular area for boils to develop. However, they can appear anywhere on the body.

Boils are typically caused by bacteria called Staphylococcus. However, other types of bacteria, such as Streptococcus and Pseudomonas bacteria, are also capable of causing abscesses. Fungal infections can also cause boils, but this is a less common cause.

What Are Causes, Symptoms, And Treatments Available For Skin Boils?

Acne Treatment For The Butt Area

Acne Treatment For The Butt Area

Acne Treatment For The Butt Area

You have some treatment and even preventative alternatives available for the zits appearing on your butt, depending on what's triggering them.

Acne in the buttocks can be treated, and the more prevalent causes that lead to butt pimples can be managed in many different ways.

Home-Based Medical Care

You may be able to cure the pimples on your butt with self-care and over-the-counter choices, such as treatments containing benzoyl peroxide and exfoliating lotions.

Compresses a l'air chaud

The boils may be helped to "come to a head" and drain with the application of warm compresses. When they have finished draining, they will be on their way to recovery.

The pain that boils produce can also be relieved by draining them.

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl Peroxide

Benzoyl Peroxide

Even though butt pimples are not always classified as acne, you may frequently cure them with over-the-counter (OTC) acne treatment solutions.

The most effective treatment choices for butt acne are benzoyl peroxide-containing body washes and bar soaps. These items do not require a doctor's prescription and may be purchased at any drugstore or big box shop.

Benzoyl peroxide is the treatment of choice for inflammatory pimples such as folliculitis.

  •  To apply it, gently soap up all problematic areas, then rinse it off when you're done.

How To Pick The Right Over-The-Counter Acne Treatment

Creams That Exfoliate The Skin

Creams That Exfoliate The Skin

Creams That Exfoliate The Skin

Your skin will be smoother if you prevent the hair follicles from clogging. The trick is to exfoliate consistently. In addition to hastening the turnover of skin cells and retaining the skin's moisture, exfoliating creams benefits those who suffer from keratosis pilaris.

Creams available over-the-counter that include glycolic acid, lactic acid, or salicylic acid should help treat minor cases of butt acne.

  • Creams with tretinoin, a synthetic type of vitamin A, may be required in more severe instances and may be obtained only with a doctor's prescription. 

Instructions And Prescriptions For The Procedures

Call your healthcare professional if your butt blemishes are extremely red, swollen, and painful, even if you have tried treatments at home and they have not helped.

Antibiotics may be required if the infection is severe, either topically applied or taken orally.

  • If your boil does not show improvement after a few days, your healthcare professional may need to perform a tiny incision to drain the infection (lancing). Never attempt to remove a boil from your own body on your own. 8

How To Avoid Getting Acne In Your Butt Area

How To Avoid Getting Acne In Your Butt Area

How To Avoid Getting Acne In Your Butt Area

A butt breakout is something that may happen to anyone. Even while you can't always stop butt pimples from appearing, there are a few things you can do to reduce the likelihood that they will do so:

  • Take a shower after working up a sweat. Sweat can irritate the hair follicles and increase the likelihood of acne outbreaks on the skin. Take a shower as soon as possible, and try not to keep your wet workout clothing on for too long.
  • Make the switch to cotton lingerie. Cotton is superior to synthetic materials in terms of its ability to breathe.
  • Cleanse skin carefully. Scrubbing your skin will aggravate follicles that are already irritated, which will cause pimples to become redder and larger. Instead, use body washes or lotions that include skin-smoothing chemicals such as alpha hydroxy acids to exfoliate your skin.
  • Do not pick at imperfections or try to pop them. Picking at and popping pimples can worsen acne outbreaks and increase the likelihood of infection in the affected area.
  • Avoid wearing garments that are too snug. Your skin might become irritated and break out in acne due to the friction generated by jeans that are too tight.

BUTT

BUTT

Summary

True butt acne is one of the many potential causes of butt pimples, which can appear for various reasons.

May avoid These outbreaks by taking care of your skin, allowing it to breathe, and maintaining clean hair follicles. Taking care of your skin will help prevent breakouts.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you have a pimple that grows particularly big (at least the size of a dime), a spot that aches, or a lot of pimples that are inflamed on your butt. You could require medical care that requires a prescription.

Acne On The Body: How To Treat It

butt

butt

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What Sets A Boil Apart From A Pimple On Your Buttocks Is The Severity Of The Infection.

Zits are the result of pores that are clogged. They have the potential to become inflamed and painful, but they won't become as large as boils. Infections in the hair follicle can manifest as boils on the skin. 

  • They are more painful than pimples because of their size.

Why Am I Breaking Out In Pimples All Over My Chest And Buttocks?

Acne breakouts on the chest and buttocks can be caused by some causes, including clothing that is too tight and sweat that remains on the skin for an extended period. It's also possible that your genes are to blame for these outbreaks. 

Can I Use The Cleanser For My Face To Cure Acne On My Butt?

If you have butt acne that is not severe, the over-the-counter acne medication you take on your face may be sufficient to clean it up. You might also want to try benzoyl peroxide-containing body soaps. 

Does Folliculitis Eventually Clear Up On Its Own?

Does Folliculitis Eventually Clear Up On Its Own?

Does Folliculitis Eventually Clear Up On Its Own?

Cases of folliculitis that are not severe enough to warrant therapy may resolve independently. However, if you have acne that is growing worse or is not going away, you should discuss this with your physician since you may require a prescription to clean it out. 

The Methods Used To Treat Folliculitis

Diagnosis

Your doctor will probably diagnose folliculitis based on an examination of your skin and a medical history review. They can do a microscopic inspection of the patient's skin (dermoscopy).

If the early treatments for your illness don't work, your doctor may take a sample of your affected skin or hair using a swab to determine the cause of the infection. It is transferred to a laboratory so that scientists may assist in determining the source of the illness. In unusual cases, a skin biopsy could be performed to rule out the possibility of other disorders.

Skin Biopsy

Treatment

butt

butt

The kind and severity of your problem, the self-care procedures you've already attempted, and your personal preferences all play a role in determining the treatment options available for folliculitis. Medications and other techniques, such as hair removal using a laser, are both possibilities. Even if the therapy is successful, there is still a chance that the infection may return.

Medications

You were controlling an infection using ointments or medicines. Your physician could recommend an antibiotic cream, lotion, or gel for treating minor infections, depending on the severity of the condition. Folliculitis is not often treated with antibiotics that are taken by mouth. However, your doctor may recommend taking them if you have a severe illness or one that keeps returning.

You can use creams, shampoos, or medications to treat fungal infections. Antifungals are used more often for illnesses brought on by yeast than by bacteria, and antibiotics are ineffective in treating this strain.

Medications are topically applied or taken orally to decrease inflammation. If you have minor eosinophilic folliculitis, your physician may recommend using a steroid cream to help relieve the itching associated with the condition. After receiving antiretroviral treatment for HIV or AIDS, you may reduce the severity of your eosinophilic folliculitis symptoms.

butt blackheads

butt blackheads

Simple surgical procedure If you have a boil or carbuncle that is very big, your doctor may drain the pus from it by making a tiny incision in the lesion. It could alleviate the discomfort, hasten the healing process, and reduce the amount of scarring. If pus continues to leak from the region, your physician may then cover it with sterile gauze.

Removal of hair using a laser If previous treatments are unsuccessful, laser therapy for long-term hair removal may be able to eradicate the infection. This procedure can be rather costly, and it frequently needs several treatments. It accomplishes this by permanently removing hair follicles and reducing the amount of hair in the treated region. Other potential adverse effects include skin blistering, scarring, and skin discoloration.

Behavioral Modifications And Cures At Home

Behavioral Modifications And Cures At Home

Behavioral Modifications And Cures At Home

In mild instances of folliculitis, home treatment is typically sufficient to bring about a recovery. The following methods are some possible ways to alleviate pain, hasten the healing process, and stop the spread of infection:

  • Apply a compress or a warm wet washcloth to the area. Perform this action daily to alleviate discomfort and assist the region in draining, if necessary. The saltwater solution should moisten the compress (1 teaspoon of table salt in 2 cups water).
  • Utilize antibiotics that may purchase over the counter. Experiment with various over-the-counter shampoos, gels, and lotions that treat infections.
  • Make use of creams that are calming. Try calming your skin with a lotion or an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to get some relief from the itching.
  • Purify the area of skin that is afflicted. Wash the affected skin twice daily with antibacterial soap while being as gentle as possible. Always use a fresh towel and washcloth, and never pass any of these around to other people. To clean these objects, you should use warm soapy water and wash any clothing that may have come into contact with the afflicted region.

BUTT

BUTT

  • Take care of your skin. Stop shaving if feasible because most cases of barber's itch go away a few weeks after the person stops shaving.
  • Getting ready for your scheduled appointment
  • You should probably start by making an appointment with your primary care physician. They may suggest that you see a dermatologist who specializes in treating skin conditions (dermatologist).

It is in your best interest to be prepared for your visit if you want to get the most out of it. The following information is provided to assist you in getting ready.

What Actions Can You Take?

butt

butt

  1. Make a list of all the symptoms you have, even if you think they have nothing to do with your skin issue.
  2. Make a list of important personal details, including recent significant pressures or changes in your life.
  3. Make a list of all the supplements, vitamins, and medications that you are now taking.
  4. List questions to ask your doctor.

When it comes to folliculitis, some fundamental questions to ask your physician include the following:

  • Which of the following is the most likely reason for my symptoms?
  • What are some other conditions that might be causing my symptoms?
  • Do I need to get any testing done?

BUTT

BUTT

  • What is the most effective remedy for my condition?
  • I also suffer from these additional medical issues. How can I effectively handle both of them at the same time?
  • What kinds of adverse effects can I experience due to the treatment?
  • Is there a non-brand-name version of the medication you're going to prescribe for me that I could take instead?
  • Do you have any brochures or other written materials I might take home that are pertinent to the topic? Which websites do you think are the best?
  • What factors will decide whether or not I need to schedule a follow-up appointment?

During your consultation, if you have any more questions that come to mind, please don't be afraid to ask them.