Butt Rash Causes, Symptoms and Home Remedies
A rash is a sign of troubled or inflamed skin on your body. Rashes are often red, itchy, and painful. They can also trigger:
- Blisters
- Scaly, crusty skin
- Bumps
- Fluid leakage
Skin rashes may be the result of certain illnesses such as viral infections, fungal infections, or allergies. They can vary in extent, pattern, and location, and may arise on any area of the body.
A rash on the buttocks can have varied origins, and it may be an indication that something is stirring around the buttock or suggest a general (body-wide) condition.
Contact Dermatitis, or skin inflammation, is a condition that often occurs due to an adverse reaction when your skin is exposed to an unwanted agent.
Some of these agents may include detergent chemicals, perfumes, soaps, etc. Butt rash may even be the result of a cleaning product used on your toilet seat.
Butt rashes often vanish on their own; however, some persist for longer periods and may require action.
Continue reading to learn more about butt rash.
Related Reading: Amoxicillin Rash: Types, Causes, Symptoms and Treatments
Signs and Symptoms of Butt Rash
The “intergluteal cleft” is the medical term for your butt crack, which is a common area for rashes.
Severe itching near your anus is a result of damp conditions or an infection from your anus.
At times, you will see a red, itchy rash near your buttocks or anal opening. It is important to note that a rash on your buttocks can signify an underlying health condition; therefore, you should not take such an occurrence lightly and seek medical advice when rashes persist.
Common symptoms of butt rash include:
- Irritation that gets worse when you scratch it
- Scaly patches of skin on the buttocks
- Tiny red bumps or dots on the buttocks
- Acne-like pimples on the buttocks
- Pain and itching around the anus
- Red, irritated, or swollen patches of skin
- Blisters or bumps that leak fluid and get crusty
- Blisters in the anal area
- Sore spots that are tender to the touch
- Redness and irritation between the buttocks cheeks
What Causes Butt Rash?
There are various explanations as to what triggers skin rash on the butt. Sometimes you can identify the culprit, sometimes not. Mostly, a skin rash is an erratic sign, vanishing and returning at random.
Let us learn about what causes a rash on the butt.
1. Allergic Reactions
An itchy rash is one of the highly common symptoms of an allergic reaction.
If you expose your skin to an allergen, like cosmetics or lotions, rubber, certain types of plants, or certain metals, it may trigger a rash known as Contact Dermatitis.
An allergy to certain drugs may also cause a rash. A drug-related allergy rash will manifest shortly after a person consumes the medication. Allergic reactions, however, may not surface for several days.
2. Infectious Illnesses
A rash can also be a side effect of various contagious diseases or conditions caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other organisms.
Scarlet fever, ringworm, scabies, chickenpox, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, measles, shingles, herpes, and Lyme disease are quite common diseases that are known to cause rashes.
3. Folliculitis and Acne
Inflamed hair follicles often cause patches of red, inflamed bumps on the butt.
Folliculitis is the medical term for inflamed follicles. The infected follicles swell and become red. They can also fill with pus and eventually erupt.
Folliculitis can affect the buttocks and any other part of the body. Inflammation on the buttocks due to folliculitis is common and is bacterial led.
Butt folliculitis may be severe, causing red inflamed papules and boils. It does not cause significant symptoms but can be very tenacious.
4. Heat Rash
Heat rash is a common skin condition that causes both redness and stinging. Your skin may feel agitated or prickly, and small boils may form.
Most people are prone to developing a heat rash in hot and humid weather. It also occurs in people who sweat a lot.
When sweat is trapped in various areas of the body, it obstructs pores and encourages little pimples or spots. This often occurs on parts of the body where skin brushes against skin.
For instance, your butt split or innermost thighs are areas that are highly susceptible to heat rash.
5. Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a prolonged autoimmune skin disorder. In this skin condition, your immune system tends to attack your skin cells by mistake, which results in their rapid growth and swelling.
This skin cell abundance then develops a rash that manifests itself in the form of red marks and flaky white patches.
Psoriasis rashes can develop anywhere on the body, including the butt. The most common signs of psoriasis are red or pinkish blotches that look as though they are peeling, cracked, and rough.
6. Eczema
Eczema is a skin disorder that is caused by various infections. It appears as a red, highly scratchy area of skin. If such a patch develops on the butt, it could be a sign of eczema.
The specific places where eczema develops are commonly the buttocks, rear knees, inside of elbows, and the face.
Doctors advise that you avoid digging or scratching eczema patches on the butt as this can lead to additional bacterial infection.
Related Reading: Essential Oils for Eczema
7. Chafing or Rubbing
Chafing may lead to the development of a rash in people who have larger buttocks or those who wear tight trousers.
It mostly occurs when the cheeks of the buttocks rub together while walking, running, or exercising.
The result is often red, chapped, raw, and irritated skin. Underwear and sweat only further aggravate the situation.
8. Ringworm (Jock Itch)
A fungal infection by nature, ringworm can develop in several different parts of the human body. It namely occurs in the genitals, thighs, groin, and butt. It can develop in men, women, and children.
9. Incontinence
Individuals who encounter bladder and bowel control problems are most prone to develop butt rash.
Butt rash in adults is typical in adults who wear diapers, are confined to a wheelchair, or those who are frequently confined to a bed for extended periods.
10. Viral Infection or Shingle
Varicella-zoster is a virus that triggers a viral disease called Shingles. Shingles manifest in the form of spotty, reddish rashes on the area that is affected.
If such rash appears on your butt and is accompanied by intense itching, it could be a sign of shingles.
11. Insect Bites
A rash that develops without a medical condition can be due to an insect bite, usually by a bed bug.
Since these bites tend to be in a line, you may damage the skin’s surface by scratching. This may lead to a secondary infection around the affected area.
12. Fungal Infection
Yeasts that survive on top of the skin’s exterior layer are responsible for fungal skin disorders.
The area between the cheeks of the buttocks are damp and moist, which means it is prone to fungal infections.
13. Genital Herpes
A sexually transmitted virus, genital herpes usually causes a rash on the thighs, anus, or butt. Herpes transmits through sexual activities, including anal, vaginal, or oral sex.
Rashes develop where the virus entered your body. However, they can spread to other areas of the body when scratched.
Home Remedies for Butt Rash
Preventative measures are better than a cure. If you can identify the reason for a specific rash, you can avoid it.
Nonetheless, once you have developed a rash, you can try these home remedies that may come handy when looking for methods on how to get rid of skin rashes on the buttocks.
1. Coconut and Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is a powerful anti-fungal that you can buy as an essential oil. Mix it with coconut oil and rub onto the problem area after having a bath or shower.
Follow this daily to provide relief. This remedy is an instant relief from pain and itching; however, it is only a temporary solution as it may take weeks or months to cure a rash completely.
2. Aloe Vera
You can apply Aloe Vera for immediate results. Aloe Vera, a superhero plant, has numerous uses. Due to its natural abundance of vitamins and minerals, Aloe Vera is great for alleviating the irritation that often accompanies skin problems and rashes.
Fresh Aloe Vera hands down is the best choice for such ailments; however, if this option is not available, an Aloe Vera gel or cream from the local store can act as an effective substitute. Use it on the affected area after you bathe.
3. Shea Butter
Shea butter is a delightful and natural medication that has antifungal and soothing properties. It contains useful vegetables in it.
Additionally, Shea butter is a good cure for numerous types of rashes. It improves circulation and stimulates the rejuvenation of cells, resulting in a speedier healing process.
Clean the butt area with warm water and a mild soap or cleanser. Let it dry naturally.
Once dried, apply some Shea butter on your fingers and gently massage it into the affected area until it is thoroughly absorbed into the skin.
Leave the butter on the affected area for a while before putting on your underwear. Do not wash it off.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
Raw apple cider vinegar (ACV) diluted in water is beneficial for relieving an irritated skin rash on your butt. Additionally, apple cider vinegar is a natural antiseptic, with properties of acetic acid, that can help destroy infection-causing germs on your skin.
Mix natural apple cider vinegar with an equal portion of water. Never use undiluted vinegar as this may only aggravate the rash further. Soak a cotton ball in the mixture and apply it to the affected area. Let it dry without wiping it away.
Use this solution two to three times a day to diminish any bacterial or fungal infection from your buttocks.
5. Low Histamine Diet
Recent findings show a link between skin rashes and the body’s intolerance to high histamine foods.
This is not true for all rashes; however, this could potentially be a key factor for what causes rashes in individuals with compromised immune systems.
Histamines are natural constituents present in all foods. For those that have an autoimmune disease or an overactive immune system, eating high histamine foods may lead to unwanted results.
They stimulate immune system movement as the body generates anti-histamines. This action may lead to rash flares, intense itching, and a feeling of general sickness.
Foods that are high in histamines include:
- Sugar
- Chocolate
- Caffeine
- Processed meats
- Tomatoes
- Cheese
- Eggs
- Any fermented food made from yeast
- Dairy
- Overly ripe fruit
- High oxalate foods like spinach
- Condiments with vinegar
- Spices (not herbs)
Food that you can consume to refrain from histamine accumulation in the body:
- Whole grains
- Fresh fruit (except tomatoes and overly ripe fruits)
- Leafy greens
- Legumes
- Fresh vegetables
- Beans
- Seeds (Avoid peanuts)
- Raw nuts
Preventive Tips for Butt Rash
Some rashes can be prevented depending on the origin. For babies and toddlers, replacing factory made diapers with cloth ones can be an effective way to prevent diaper rash.
Additionally, ensure that you keep the diaper area clean and change diapers often. Avoid sharing cosmetics with other individuals. If you are allergic to certain medications or substances, refrain from using them.
Avoid wearing body-hugging clothes that persistently rub against your rash and increase irritation. Keep the affected area covered and do not expose it to direct sunlight.
As soon as you encounter a butt rash and it becomes irritated, clean it gently with water and some mild neutral soap.
This will pacify irritation before it becomes further aggravated. Use a dampness barrier gel, like petroleum jelly, to avoid chafing. Practice good hygiene habits. Keeping potentially affected areas hairless is a great idea to avoid butt chafe. Body hair is likely to lock in moisture.
When to See a Doctor
Butt rashes are not usually a signal of something dangerous. Rashes usually clear up naturally after a few days; however, at times they need medical treatment. You should seek medical help if:
- The rash becomes painful
- You have a fever with your rash
- The rash is unexpected and spreads rapidly
- You have sores on your genitals or anus
- The rash appears infected (pus, swelling, or red streaks)
- The rash covers your entire body
Read Next:
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- Hell’s Itch (Sunburn Itch): Causes, Treatments, and Prevention
- 10 Home Remedies to Treat Blood Blister on Finger
Sources:
Rashes”, Encyclopedia web site, last accessed 21/01/2018; http://www.encyclopedia.com/medicine/diseases-and-conditions/pathology/rashes
“What Causes a Rash on the Butt”, Healthline web site, last accessed 21/01/2018; https://www.healthline.com/health/butt-ras
