Chafing of the Buttocks

See Also: Chafing - Chafing Advice - Excessive Sweating - Sweat Rash - Chafing of the Nipples - Chafing of the Groin - Chafing of the Thighs

About Chafing of the Buttocks

Chafing of the buttocks is a unpleasant and irritating problem experienced by both men and women. Instances of buttock chafing are very common, especially amongst physically active and obese individuals.

Chafing of the buttocks usually comes in two varieties; chafing of the bum cheeks and chafing of the bum crack. The former is usually caused by the skin rubbing against clothing, while the latter is primarily due to skin on skin rubbing, which is often exacerbated by moisture from sweating.

Treating & Preventing Chafing of the Buttocks

Let your buttocks breathe. As with most cases of chafing, allowing fresh air to circulate and let the buttock area breathe is recommended. However, for quite clear reasons, this solution can be far from practical. The buttocks are usually covered by underwear and then another layer of clothing. If the problem is caused by fabric rubbing against the cheeks, then it is a wise idea to try wearing something different, nothing too loose or too tight, preferably a material that 'breathes' or, for underwear, wicks moisture.

Stay dry. If you are prone to chafing in the crack of your bum, then keeping the area dry is a good preventative measure. A good antiperspirant or absorbent powder is highly recommended, as are everyday products like talcum powder or baby powder. Neat 3B Action Cream is handy dual-action antiperspirant and emollient that will help keep you dry while protecting your skin. Odaban Antiperspirant Spray comes in a handy pump pack and will help to curb excessive sweating between the buttocks. Medipure Medicated Body Powder will also help to keep you dry. Both can be applied directly to your skin or sprinkled in your clothing before you put it on. Women may prefer to use Vagisil Feminine Powder, which also helps prevent feminine chafing and stop unpleasant odours.

Lube up. A lubricant will help reduce friction and the irritation caused by rubbing. A petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, is a classic solution for chafing between the buttocks. As it is water-resistant, it won't get washed away by sweat and will keep your cheeks gliding for hours. Petroleum jelly can, however, be hard to wash out of clothing, so if you wish to reduce rubbing on the buttock cheeks, we recommend Lanacane Anti-Chafing Gel, a clear, non-greasy, anti-friction gel that dries on contact and won't stain your clothing.

Lose weight. While clearly not the case for everyone, weight can be a factor. Chafing, particularly of areas such as the buttocks, thighs and armpits, is often associated with obesity. If you think your chafing could be linked to your weight, we have a useful BMI calculator that will give you an idea of the shape you are in.