Pimples on the buttocks or between them is a painful, unpleasant, and common problem. The member who replied to the first post in the discussion reported having the same problem. This member also found that putting toothpaste or antibiotic ointment on pimples severely reduces them.
Did the toothpaste thing work?
According to the member who replied first, it apparently worked after he/she applied toothpaste and then covered pimples with a Band-Aid and leaving them for a day or so, which made them almost always go away.
Another participant in the discussion advised the discussion starter and others not to play with the pimples because that will only make the problem worse. This member claimed to have tried every trick in the book which left her no choice but to visit her doctor. She added that pimples made her very paranoid while having intercourse. She also suggested a couple of things that may help including exfoliating the spot with cotton to remove the dirt that has built up in the pores, avoiding sitting on hot and cold surfaces, wearing very light clothes so that the problem area can breathe, etc.
I get them, too. My doctor says that it is like a skin infection.
As this participant noted, this might be a cause. Often, the first symptoms of a staph (short for Staphylococcus) infection include the outbreak of red, swollen lesions that may look like acne pimples. So, it's better not to touch them but rather visit your doctor. The participant did so and the doctor prescribed him with Bactroban to get rid of pimples. The antibacterial ointment helped but it left scars and little holes where the pimples used to be.
Several participants noted that they got pimples on buttocks after they scratched their face, then touched their buttocks.
I've been doing some research b/c I have this problem too and found out that it is probably staph bacteria (the most common skin bacteria) and that it resides in your nose. So, if you pick your nose/rub your nose or scratch in your nose and don't wash your hands you can be spreading it to your butt.
This is a plausible explanation according to many who participated in the discussion, because staph bacteria lives in our nose, not causing any problems until it enters the body usually through the scratch or wound.
I used to get them pretty bad too but I wasn't too worried about them since my face, neck, back & shoulders had those deep pimples too. One participant noted that pimples on the buttocks went away along with the rest of his/her acne on the face, neck, back, and shoulders after he/she took a 6-month course of Accutane (isotretinoin). Other recommended keeping the area clean and dry, and using a medicated wash with salicylic acid and exfoliating particles when showering, followed by a spread of a 2 or 2.5% benzoyl peroxide cream at night.
Some participants recommended using rubbing alcohol, officially known as isopropyl alcohol, claiming that it works against pimples because it dries out the puss and infection and closes up the infected pore. However, alcohol might not be a good skincare choice for acne-prone skin
One member said that patting oregano oil on the area might help. Some studies confirmed the antimicrobial properties of oregano oil and its effectiveness against bacteria that cause acne.
What do experts say?
Pimples on the buttocks are bothersome and painful, but completely normal, meaning that nearly everyone will get pimples on the butt at some point.
The first thing that can cause pimples on the buttocks is blocked pores. Pores can become clogged on the buttocks just like anywhere else on your body.
People who have acne in other areas, such as face, chest, or shoulders often get buttocks breakouts as well. However, the vast majority of pimples on buttocks is not truly acne at all.
What causes pimples on buttocks?
Pimples on the buttocks are usually caused by two fairly common problems:
- folliculitis
- boils (skin abscesses, carbuncles)
Folliculitis is an inflammation of hair follicles, which can be caused by an infection from bacteria, yeast, or fungus, irritation of hair follicles, or blockage of hair follicles. Folliculitis presents as red and swollen bumps that can develop a white head and resemble acne pimples. These bumps can sometimes become painful or itchy.
Boils (skin abscesses, carbuncles)Bacterial infections are the most common cause of boils on the buttocks, particularly the infection with Staphylococcus aureus bacterium, which often lives on the skin or inside the nose. Skin folds, as well as areas of the body that have hair, sweat, and friction, such as buttocks, are a common site for boils. Boils present as a very large, painful pimple or a cluster of large pimples called carbuncle. Boils and carbuncles are filled with pus - a mixture of old and white blood cells, bacteria, and dead skin cells. Carbuncles are more likely than boils to leave scars. Active boils and carbuncles are contagious, which means that the infection can spread to other parts of the person's body or to other people through skin-to-skin contact or the sharing of personal items.
How to treat pimples on buttocks?
The treatment will depend on whether you have folliculitis, boils (carbuncles), or both. It is important to avoid popping or puncturing the pimple yourself, in case it's been caused by the bacterial infection that can spread to other parts of the body and lead to complications. Boils and carbuncles require medical treatment to prevent or manage complications, promote healing, and minimize scarring, so you should first contact your doctor.
In the cases of severe infection, topical antibiotics or oral antibiotics may be needed, as well as lancing and draining performed by doctor.
Some home remedies may help, in case pimples are caused by folliculitis, including:
- Warm compresses
- Washing with benzoyl peroxide body wash or bar soap
- Showering immediately after sweating
- Using exfoliating skin creams with skin-smoothing ingredients
- Wearing cotton underwear
Using toothpaste or rubbing alcohol as suggested in the discussion is not recommended. Oregano oil, on the other hand, may help dues to its antibacterial properties.
Could the pimples be a sign of MRSA skin infection?MRSA is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a potentially dangerous type of staph bacteria that is resistant to certain antibiotics and may cause skin and other infections. MRSA is spread by having direct contact with another person who is infected, by touching items contaminated with MRSA, or by sharing personal items that have touched infected skin.
MRSA skin infection usually appears as a bump or infected area that is red, swollen, painful, warm to the touch, or full of pus. The common sites are the legs, buttocks, groin, and back of the neck.
It is important to avoid popping the bump or draining it because it can cause infection to spread. Contact your healthcare professional especially if the signs and symptoms are accompanied by a fever.
Links:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5821164/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4552962/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4450319/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3315869/
- https://www.cdc.gov/mrsa/pdf/MRSA_Broch_Parent.pdf
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30154336
Discussion highlights
What symptoms have been reported?
- It felt like I grew a golf ball in a few days.
- I just know it hurt, it was red, it grew bigger than a golf ball, I didn't see a head til day three, it was on the top right inner butt cheek.
- My wife wanted to pop it day one but I didn't let her because of the pain.
- On day 3, I couldn't sit or even stand, it was painful.
- Yeah I get them quite often, they sometimes get a little itchy, and when I take a hot shower, I can feel them when lathering my buttocks, and they tend to erupt with the hot water, and pop open if I scratch them, and I know I shouldn't pick at them, but the infection is what makes them itchy, and I just want to get it out.
Was there any diagnosis made for the pimples?
- Hi Guys, i have had this problem and have seen the doctor about it.it is staph bacteria, and sometimes a cyst might develop which means the pimple will go away but its still there internally and prone to future infection.If repeated infection occurs it is best to see your doctor who will suggest surgery to get the cyst removed.
- My doctor says that it is like a skin infection?
- It is a staph infection, my cousin ended up getting it and went to her doctor who told her it was a staph infection and they gave her meds for it, im not sure what but then they went away and she hasnt gotten them back yet.
- they said it was a staph infection.
- I have had these and they turned out to be MERSA.
What medications have been prescribed to help with the pimples?
- also see family doctor and get a 5% hydrocortizone cream as well.
- what ive found that severly reduces them is to put toothpaste or antibiotic ointment on them, cover with a bandaid and leave for a day or so, they almost always go away
- The only thing eill work this out is a course called OACCUTANE it takes about 6 months and u may need more than one course same as me.
- Get some Persa-Gel 10% Benzol Peroxide cream and apply it morning and night.
- Neosporin -- the original one, not the one with pain relief -- all the way, for any pimples, anywhere.
In conclusion
Pimples on the buttocks are bothersome and painful, however, completely normal. They are not acne, as commonly believed, but rather caused by either folliculitis or bacterial skin infection. Since the infection can spread and cause complications, it is important to avid popping or draining the pimples, and visit the doctor, especially if there's a fever.