ByeAcne/Problem
Bumps on Your Butt: Usually Not Acne
Those red or whiteheaded bumps on the buttocks are almost always folliculitis — bacterial or fungal inflammation of hair follicles. Different cause, different treatment.
Reviewed by a licensed physician · Updated May 2026
The bumps people call "butt acne" are almost never acne in the technical sense. The buttocks have a different sebaceous gland distribution than the face — they're not particularly prone to classic comedonal acne. What you're almost certainly dealing with is folliculitis: bacterial or fungal inflammation of individual hair follicles, triggered by sweat, friction, occlusion, and bacterial transfer from gym equipment, sitting surfaces, or tight synthetic clothing.
The distinction matters because treatment is genuinely different. Acne treatments focused on sebum control don't do much for folliculitis. What works is reducing the bacterial load and the conditions that let bacteria thrive. The protocol: a benzoyl peroxide 5-10% body wash applied to the buttocks daily (lathered on, waited 3 minutes, rinsed), chemical exfoliation 2-3x per week with a salicylic acid spray, loose breathable underwear (cotton, not synthetic compression), and not sitting in sweaty leggings or workout shorts for hours.
Most mild-to-moderate cases clear in 3-4 weeks with this approach. If yours doesn't — or if bumps are growing, painful, or have pus that needs to drain — see a doctor. Recurrent folliculitis sometimes needs an oral antibiotic course, and a small fraction of cases are actually hidradenitis suppurativa, a chronic condition with painful nodules in skin folds that needs more specialized treatment.
Fungal folliculitis (malassezia) is also common on the buttocks, particularly in warm climates or after broad-spectrum antibiotic courses. Itchy uniform tiny bumps that don't respond to benzoyl peroxide are the giveaway. Ketoconazole shampoo as a body wash 3x/week typically clears it.
Why your gym routine matters
Sitting for extended periods in synthetic workout fabrics traps heat, sweat, and bacteria against the skin. Hair follicles get colonized with staphylococcus or, in fungal cases, malassezia. Friction at clothing seams disrupts the follicular wall, letting bacteria establish. The result is the cluster of inflamed bumps people describe as butt acne.
The single highest-impact intervention is changing out of workout gear immediately post-exercise (or post-cycling for cyclists). The longer sweat and friction continue, the worse the cycle. Pair that with a topical antibacterial regimen, and most cases resolve quickly.
Treatment options a doctor may consider
- Daily benzoyl peroxide 5-10% wash
Lather, wait 3 minutes, rinse. White towels only.
- Salicylic acid spray 2x/week
Body-formulated 2% spray for chemical exfoliation. No scrubs.
- Cotton underwear, no compression at rest
Synthetic only during workouts; change immediately after.
- Ketoconazole shampoo wash 3x/week (if fungal)
Apply, leave 5-10 minutes, rinse. 4 weeks for fungal clearance.
- Physician visit for severe / draining
Bumps that are growing, leaking pus, or painful may need an oral antibiotic or rule-out of hidradenitis suppurativa.
Your specific regimen depends on your medical history, current medications, and intake photos. Only your physician can determine what's appropriate.
Who this applies to
Anyone with persistent bumps on the buttocks. Especially relevant for cyclists, runners, gym-goers, people who sit in synthetic athleisure for hours, and people who've tried face acne products without improvement.