Folliculitis on the buttocks: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment

Folliculitis on the buttocks is an inflammation of the hair follicle, which is the structure in the skin where the hair roots are located, causing symptoms such as red dots that look like acne, itching, redness or sensitivity in the region.

Folliculitis on the buttocks can occur in men and women, being caused by ingrown hairs, but it can also arise due to infections caused by bacteria or fungi, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Malassezia or Candida, for example.

Read too: Ingrown hair: symptoms, causes, treatment (and how to remove it)

In the presence of signs and symptoms that may indicate folliculitis on the buttocks, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist, or general practitioner, to carry out a complete evaluation and indicate appropriate treatment, which may include the use of antibiotics, antifungals or corticosteroids. Find out how folliculitis is treated.

Symptoms of folliculitis on the buttocks

The main symptoms of folliculitis on the buttocks are:

• Red dots that look like acne;
• Itching or burning in the region;
• Small blisters with pus;
• Pain and sensitivity in the region;
• Redness or swelling in the area.

Furthermore, when folliculitis on the buttocks is deeper, it can also cause a boil, which is an infection at the root of the hair, causing symptoms such as the presence of a lump with pus that can grow over time, swelling, increased local temperature or pain. Learn more about the boil.

How to confirm the diagnosis

To confirm the diagnosis of folliculitis on the buttocks, the dermatologist, or general practitioner, evaluates the changes in the skin and the person’s health history.

If you want to check the possibility of folliculitis on the buttocks, make an appointment with the dermatologist closest to you:

Furthermore, to identify the cause of folliculitis on the buttocks, the doctor may also request a culture test, which is done by collecting a sample of the liquid from the ball on the skin, to be evaluated in the laboratory, or a KOH test, to Check whether the infection is caused by fungi.

Possible causes

Folliculitis on the buttocks is an inflammation of the hair follicle, which can be caused by bacteria or fungi, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella ou Malassezia.

Furthermore, some factors that may increase the risk of developing folliculitis on the buttocks are:

• Sitting for a long time;
• Hair removal with wax or razors;
• Wearing very tight clothes;
• Wearing clothing that increases skin temperature, such as jeans;
• Have dermatitis or acne;
• Regular use of bathtubs, swimming pools or saunas.

Furthermore, folliculitis on the buttocks can also develop more frequently in people with a weakened immune system or who have other health conditions, such as diabetes, obesity or HIV, for example.

How the treatment is carried out

Simple cases of buttock folliculitis usually resolve within a few days. However, when symptoms do not improve after 7 to 10 days, or when the lumps contain pus and hurt, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist, who may recommend the following treatments:

• Antifungals: such as nebacetin, fluconazole and Itraconazole, in the form of ointments or creams, can be indicated to combat fungi;
• Antibiotics: in the form of tablets or ointment, such as clindamycin, cephalexin and dicloxacillin, may be recommended in cases of bacterial folliculitis;
• Corticosteroids: in the form of an ointment, such as hydrocortisone and betamethasone, they can be indicated to relieve symptoms of redness and itching of the skin;
• Surgery: The doctor may perform minor surgery to remove excess pus and relieve symptoms in cases of deeper folliculitis.

Furthermore, it is also important to wash the area with warm water and antiseptic soap during baths and after physical activities, swimming pools, saunas or bathtubs.

Home remedies for folliculitis on the buttocks

A good home remedy for folliculitis on the buttocks is to wet a cloth or towel with warm water, but not too hot, and place it on the affected area. This homemade medicine helps to open the pores and remove pus from the balls, relieving symptoms.

Tea tree essential oil is another home remedy that can help treat folliculitis on the buttocks, because it has bactericidal, fungicidal and anti-inflammatory properties. To do this, simply dilute a drop of this essential oil in a tablespoon of almond oil and apply a small amount of this mixture to the lesions.

How to remove folliculitis spots on the buttocks?

To remove folliculitis spots on the buttocks, the doctor may recommend the use of ointments to lighten the skin, such as hydroquinone, kojic acid or Vitamin C, for example.

In addition, the doctor may also recommend pulsed light sessions, especially for cases of persistent spots that do not decrease with the use of ointments. See how pulsed light is made.

How to prevent folliculitis on the buttocks

Some measures that help prevent the appearance of folliculitis on the buttocks are:

• Avoid wearing tight or thick pants;
• Perform laser or pulsed light hair removal;
• Wash the area with neutral soap daily and after physical activities or use of swimming pools, saunas and bathtubs;
• Avoid sitting for a long time;
• Prioritize the use of cotton panties or underwear;
• Don’t scratch or you’ll burst the balls.

Furthermore, exfoliation once a week also helps to remove dead skin cells, preventing the appearance of ingrown hairs.