Once upon a time, a sage by the name of Sir Mix-a-Lot took to the airwaves to extoll the virtues of a “Rump-o’-smooth-skin.” Thirty years later, the skincare industry is awash with products designed to make that goal a reality — from butt butter and butt polish to butt masks and creams.
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We talked to dermatology specialist Lauren Zamborsky, CNP, to find out what conditions cause pimple-esque blemishes on your behind, how to treat them and how to keep them from coming back.
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The three most common causes of so-called butt acne aren’t acne. Folliculitis, keratosis pilaris and boils (or, if there are multiple, carbuncles) are more common. In fact, you may have more than one of these conditions!
When it comes to rump bumps, the most common culprit is folliculitis. Put simply, folliculitis is an irritation of a hair follicle.
That irritation could be the result of any number of issues, Zamborsky says. “It can be something very simple like friction, wearing clothing that’s too tight, shaving too frequently or getting too close of a shave, waxing or even plucking hairs.” Folliculitis can also be the result of a bacterial infection (the most common is s
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People who have compromised immune systems (especially people with HIV and AIDS) can also contract rarer forms of folliculitis, like eosinophilic folliculitis. Doctors usually treat eosinophilic folliculitis with anti-retroviral medications.
Depending on what’s causing the condition and the scope of the problem, folliculitis’ appearance can differ. In some cases, folliculitis causes a single, pimple-like pustule to form. In other cases, it more closely resembles a rash.
Unlike folliculitis, which can make itself at home pretty much anywhere you’ve got hair, keratosis pilaris is usually confined to a few specific body parts:
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“Keratosis pilaris happens when keratin — a protein that’s on the skin — builds up within the hair follicles, ” Zamborsky explains. “The conditions is very common among younger people. It’s typically something you grow out of over the course of your lifetime.”
She adds that keratosis pilaris occurs when your skin is very dry. As a result, the condition is more prominent during the winter.
“You can have deep folliculitis or superficial folliculitis” Zamborsky notes. “Deep folliculitis is what we call a boil. The fancy name for a single boil is a furuncle. If there’s multiple boils or they have multiple white heads in them, that’s what we call a carbuncle.”
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About 20% of us have staphylococcus aureus living in our noses or on our skin, she continues. That bacteria can transfer under your fingernails and, from there, spread to other parts of your body. It’s one of the many reasons you want to wash your hands regularly and avoid picking at zits of any kind.
While folliculitis, keratosis pliaris and boils are the most likely causes of so-called “butt acne, ” that doesn’t mean there aren’t other conditions that could be responsible. Some of the not-so-usual suspects include:
It’s possible that what looks like butt acne is actually herpes. “Herpes simplex — the virus that can cause genital herpes — can sometimes look like pimples, ” Zamborsky says. “They’re typically more blister-like and feel softer than a pimple.”
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Another possible diagnosis: Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox). This condition spreads through skin-to-skin contact and causes pus-filled blisters to form — and ultimately crust over — on your skin. While there
A vaccine for Mpox, it’s not as widely available as one would hope. If you think you’ve been exposed to Mpox, you should see a doctor immediately, as you may be contagious.
It’s also important to remember that both herpes simplex and Mpox can be spread through nonsexual contact as well. When in doubt, get tested.
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At this point, we’ve established that “butt acne” is a misnomer. As there’s a wide range of conditions that could manifest in pimple-like bumps on your behind, the list of possible causes is long. That said, there’s such as thing as an “ideal ecosystem” for these kinds of problems. Let’s break down the components:
Let’s be honest: Butt pimples can be a bit embarrassing. If they’re not causing you serious pain, you may prefer to treat them yourself at home. It’s fine to try the DIY approach at first.
“There can be a lot of different causes of butt blemishes. It’s often a bacteria, but it could also be something like yeast. It could even be viral. Getting to the root of what’s causing this issue is important and your care provider will be able to work with you to figure it out.”
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In some cases — say, when a boil is particularly painful or severe — the doctor may need to lance it. Do
“The biggest thing I want people to be cognizant of is how important it is that you not pick your skin, ” Zamborsky emphasizes. “The more we pick our skin, the more irritated we make it and the worse the problem gets.”
As you can imagine, preventing butt acne is easier said than done. Still, there are a few things you can do to reduce the chances of recurrence.
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If you decide to see a care provider about your butt bumps, be prepared to answer the following questions to the best of your availability:
If you like smooth butts (and you cannot lie), “buttne” can be a real buzzkill. While you can’t avoid the conditions that cause butt blemishes
Most butt pimples aren’t actually acne. We talked to a dermatology specialist to learn more about the causes, treatment and prevention of acne-esque butt bumps.Pimples are common and usually harmless blemishes. They may appear as red bumps, either on the skin’s surface or beneath it. Pimples sometimes contain pus.
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Below, we look at the causes and types of pimples and how long they tend to last. We also discuss treatments, home care strategies, and when to see a doctor.
Acne is an inflammatory skin condition that can cause pimples to form in various areas. Pimples tend to form where more oil glands are present, and they
Pimples develop when oil glands produce excess oil, preventing dead skin cells from naturally leaving the pores. This buildup of oil and dead cells blocks the pores and causes pimples to form.
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Pustules may last for a few weeks, but if they last longer than 6–8 weeks and do not respond to treatment, it might be a good idea to see a doctor or dermatologist.
Acne on the back may be persistent. With treatment, people may see an improvement in 6–8 weeks, while complete healing may take 3–4 months.
Sometimes, what appears to be a pimple is a different kind of blemish. Ingrown hairs, for example, can cause red, swollen bumps that tend to form after shaving the face or legs.
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The American Academy of Dermatology recommend washing the face twice a day and after sweating to help prevent the pores from clogging.
People can also try applying a nonabrasive cleanser to the face with the fingertips, using gentle, circular motions. They should then rinse the face with lukewarm water and gently pat it dry with a clean towel.
Applying ice to deep pimples can help reduce swelling and redness. First, a person can wash the face with a nonabrasive cleanser and pat it dry.
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Next, they can wrap a piece of ice in a paper towel or clean cloth and hold it against the pimples for 5–10 minutes. It is best to remove the compress then and wait for 10 minutes before repeating the process.
The goal is to avoid touching affected skin, particularly with unwashed hands. Avoiding this will help prevent bacteria on the hands from transferring to the face, contributing to pimples.
A whitehead is a pimple with a white center, which is pus. A person can use a warm compress to help release the pus. Doing this will speed healing.
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People can make a compress by running a clean cloth under hot water and then squeezing any excess water out. Holding the cloth against the pimple for 10–15 minutes and repeating this 3–4 times a day can help the pimple heal.
Bacteria, dead skin cells, and dirt can collect on surfaces that the body comes into contact with regularly, including pillowcases, bedsheets, and clothing. These substances can block pores and cause pimples to form.
If pimples tend to form in a certain area of the body, regularly washing anything that comes into contact with that area can help reduce breakouts.
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Some other effective ingredients in OTC acne products include retinoids, which can help clear pores and reduce excess oil, and salicylic acid, which can also reduce inflammation.
The dermatologist may prescribe antibiotics to reduce inflammation and kill bacteria that could be causing pimples. In some cases, they might prescribe birth control pills to adjust hormone levels.
Acne occurs more frequently in Western countries, where its prevalence is over 80%. This fact has led researchers to think that diet and lifestyle may play a part in acne and pimple formation.
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A 2018 review of 14 studies found that in people between the ages of 7 and 30 years, intake of dairy
