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Do you get painful, recurring boils on your buttocks? These bumps might look discolored and swollen. Some may grow larger and fill with pus. Having one or two can feel like bad luck, but if they keep coming back, you might start asking, “Why do I get boils on my butt?”
Recurring butt boils can be caused by infections or hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic (long-term) skin condition. Your healthcare provider or dermatologist can help you figure out what’s causing the boils and what treatments might work best for you.
Recurring boils on the buttocks can have different causes. Your doctor will consider a few possibilities, such as the following:
Ingrown hairs occur after you shave, wax, or tweeze. During regrowth, the hair curves back into the skin instead of out of it. Sometimes hairs grow this way on their own, especially in areas where hair is coarse or curly.
Ingrown hairs are most common in areas where people remove hair, like the pubic region, armpits, or face. However, they can occur anywhere you have hair, including on the buttocks or between the butt cheeks.
Ingrown hairs usually look like small red, purple, or brown bumps, depending on your skin tone. They may itch or feel painful, and sometimes ingrown hairs can get infected. When this happens, the bump usually gets bigger, fills with pus, and turns into a boil.
Boils are often caused by a skin infection with Staphylococcus aureus (a staph infection). This type of bacteria can enter your skin through a hair follicle, get trapped, and multiply, leading to an infection and a boil. This issue commonly involves hair follicles on the buttocks, as well as the face, neck, thighs, and armpits.
Staph infections are contagious, so recurring boils might be due to repeated exposure to the bacteria. You may come into contact with staph infections by:
Other risk factors include having a higher body weight, living with a skin condition such as eczema, or having a weakened immune system from a chronic disease like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or from taking certain medications.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as herpes and chlamydia can cause abscesses (pockets of pus caused by infections) or boils. These bumps may appear on or near the buttocks, especially if you have anal sex or use objects in the anal area.
If you’re getting symptoms over and over, it’s important to talk with your doctor. They may recommend STI testing. If you test positive, your partner should also be tested, and both of you may need treatment. Many STIs are curable or can be managed like a chronic disease.
HS is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that causes painful boils, abscesses, and lesions in parts of the body with lots of sweat glands, including the buttocks. HS is not sexually transmitted, contagious, or related to poor personal hygiene.
Some people living with HS only have boils on or between the buttocks. Others may have symptoms around the anus and genitals, in the armpits, under the breasts, on the inner thighs, around the waist, or on the neck.
You may need to see a dermatologist for a correct diagnosis. They can also help you find a treatment that will work for you.
The best treatment depends on what’s causing your boils. If you see a dermatologist about recurring boils on your buttocks, they’ll first try to figure out the cause. Then they can recommend a treatment plan.
Gentle exfoliation may release trapped ingrown hairs. If you can grab the hair with a sterile instrument, such as a needle or tweezers, you may be able to pull it free. Be sure to first disinfect both your skin and the tool.
If the ingrown hair doesn’t heal on its own or becomes infected — symptoms include swelling, pain, and pus — talk to your healthcare provider. You may need antibiotics to help treat a serious infection. If ingrown hairs are a frequent problem, your doctor may recommend removing the hairs permanently or semipermanently to help prevent future boils.
Never open a boil on your own — this can cause the infection to spread. Instead, apply moist heat using a warm compress several times a day to help the boil drain on its own.
If the bacterial infection is more serious, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to fight the bacteria. They may also need to drain the boil in a sterile environment if it doesn’t go away with other treatment. You should talk to a doctor if:
If you have a compromised immune system, you should see a doctor as soon as you notice a boil.
If you think you have an STI, see your doctor right away — there aren’t any home remedies for STIs. A healthcare professional can give you the right diagnosis so you can treat or manage the condition. Some STIs are treated with antibiotics or antiviral medications.
If you’re diagnosed with an STI, it’s important to talk with your sexual partner or partners so they can be tested and treated too. This helps protect their health — and prevents the STI from spreading further.
Recurring butt boils caused by HS require ongoing treatment. Potential options include:
Your dermatology team can teach you how to care for HS lesions at home, including how to safely drain and bandage them. They can also help you develop a skin care plan that supports healing and helps prevent new lesions.
On myHSteam, people share their experiences with hidradenitis suppurativa, get advice, and find support from others who understand.
Have you had recurring boils on your butt? Share your experience in the comments below.
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