Acne anywhere on the body is a nuisance, but dealing with any kind of blemishes, whether they be blackheads or cysts, on the buttocks can be literally a pain the butt. Treatment for acne on the buttocks is available, though you should have an understanding of the types of acne and its causes prior to trying out medications.
Types
Any kind of acne that can show up on your face can show up on your buttocks as well. Blackheads, whiteheads and pustules are common and are usually easy to treat with over-the-counter creams. However, more severe acne forms like papules, nodules and cysts often require prescription-strength treatments. These types of acne are more deeply embedded in the skin and if allowed to persist or to rupture, will likely lead to scarring.
Causes
Any place on the body that possesses sebaceous glands (oil glands) can develop acne. The only places that can't form it are the palms of the hands and soles of the feet because they lack these glands. Buttocks acne can be blamed on too much oil production, the slow sloughing off of dead skin cells, ill-fitting clothing, allergies or too infrequent washing.
Prevention
You may not be able to prevent your breakouts if other people in your family have suffered from acne or you notice your breakouts occur at specific times during your menstrual cycle. However, some people prevent acne through wearing cotton fabrics that fit well and breathe. It's especially important to avoid too-tight synthetic fabric underwear. Take a shower right after breaking a sweat or at the very least change your clothes. Steer clear of heavily scented or dyed laundry detergents and soaps.
Moderate Treatment
You may be able to get away with using an over-the-counter treatment if the acne on your buttocks is mild to moderate in severity. Commonly used ingredients include salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide; both are effective in helping slough off dead skin cells, unclog pores and soak up excess oil. According to Acne.org look for a body acne cleanser that contains no more than 2.5 percent of the main ingredient. Follow up with an alcohol-free toner and a treatment lotion or cream, also with a low concentration of the active ingredient. This will prevent over-drying.
Severe Treatment
A stronger treatment is necessary if you have severe acne, which includes nodules and cysts. Benzoyl peroxide is still commonly used, though you will likely need to use a thicker layer of the treatment cream to see results. According to Mayo Clinic, see a dermatologist who can prescribe a stronger cream or a different treatment approach altogether like isotretinoin (Accutane) or an antibiotic if other treatments do not help.
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