What Are These Bumps on My Butt?

In the grand kingdom of butt bumps, all are not made equal. Or rather, not all are as serious as others. A new spot on your rear can indicate a variety of conditions, according to Michele Koo, a board-certified plastic surgeon in St. Louis. 

In this article, we'll answer an age-old question: "Why do I have bumps on my butt?" 

What exactly is this bump on my butt?

"Butt bumps can take the form of small pimples, inflamed hair follicles or milium inclusion cysts," Koo said. "Most of them are not serious. They tend to appear during hot weather, after sweating and exercise. The ones that get red, swollen and painful may be infected. These would require a dose of antibiotics. Cysts or carbuncles can form. If large enough, they may need to be drained, but most will respond to antibiotics, looser, breathable clothing and alcohol cleansing."

While neither is especially appealing, it's worth noting the difference between cysts and carbuncles. A carbuncle is a grouping of boils, a boil being a bacterial or fungal infection characterized by pain and the ability to spread quickly.

A milium inclusion cyst sounds more intimidating than it is. Inclusion cysts are the most common type of cyst found at the epidermal level. They're frequently mistakenly referred to as sebaceous cysts. Cysts are smooth, enclosed, fluid-filled sacs under the skin which may or may not eventually burst. While initially less painful and more slow-growing, an infected cyst may become a boil. Neither should be popped at home, but instead should be handled by a medical professional.

The average person may mistake a cyst for an ingrown hair. Ahmad Chaudhry, M.B.B.S., a house physician and dermatology consultant for Allied Hospital Faisalabad in Pakistan, noted their visual differences.

"Generally, a cyst will appear as a raised or lumpy growth, usually with a larger diameter than an ingrown hair," Chaudhry explained. "Cysts may be pink in color, although they can be darker or even red if irritated. An ingrown hair may appear similar to a pimple and typically looks like a small, black dot surrounded by inflamed skin."

"A cyst feels like a lump," Koo agreed. "It may be firm or squishy if it becomes infected and contains pus. An ingrown hair appears as a red, irritated dot around a hair follicle."

Should I be concerned about a bump on my butt?

Importantly, if you see a cyst or ingrown hair, know they are typically not evidence of a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Cysts and ingrown hairs may appear in the form of lumps on the buttocks, but they are not a manifestation of an STI, Koo said. And while monkeypox is not classified as an STI, it looks very different from small, red spots involving hair follicles, Koo added

Chaudhry recommended a rule of thumb for managing anxiety around these protuberances.

"It can be challenging to know whether they are nothing to worry about or if they could indicate a more severe health issue," he said. "Generally speaking, small, flat and painless bumps on the butt are likely nothing to worry about and are just benign growths called seborrheic keratoses. These can occur as part of normal aging and are not typically a cause for concern.

"However, larger or irregularly shaped, pimple-like bumps may be a sign of skin cancer, particularly melanoma," he added. "Additionally, raised red lumps or patches could be caused by inflammatory conditions such as dermatitis or eczema."

The average person may mistake a cyst for an ingrown hair.

Seborrheic keratoses is another unfamiliar term with an easy explanation. These benign, wart-like growths are potentially genetic or the result of sun damage; no one is quite sure about the cause. You may not like the look of them, but they're not serious or contagious.

They may appear waxy and scaly or raised and separate-looking from the rest of the skin. They can be frozen off or removed with minor surgery if they're irritating either cosmetically or by chafing.

There are also more serious underlying causes for bumps on buttocks, Chaudhry said.

"Certain sexually transmitted infections, such as herpes, can result in various types of growth, including warts and lesions," he explained. "Likewise, some cancers and autoimmune disorders can also cause irregularities and growths in this sensitive region. Whether you have a small bump or multiple clusters of related nodes on your butt area, it is vital to seek medical assistance if you are concerned about your condition and want to find out its cause. With early treatment and appropriate management strategies, many diseases and conditions causing butt bumps will be manageable or even curable."

Prevent bump butts with the right clothes 

You can prevent some bumps by examining your lifestyle, down to the contents of your closet.

"Given the recent rise in butt bumps, some experts attribute this trend to increased stress levels and unhealthy diets," Chaudhry said. "Others believe the problem could be rooted in clothing choices. Specifically, it has been suggested that butt bumps may be an allergic reaction to tight or nonbreathable fabrics, such as lycra or spandex. Preliminary studies have supported this theory, with participants experiencing outbreaks when wearing these tight clothes in hot weather. If this hypothesis is correct, it suggests that our clothing choices can impact our health and well-being."

This tracks as one of the ramifications of fast fashion and cheaply made clothing.

There are a few ways to handle these growths. The simplest, but not easiest, is to practice some self-compassion. An aesthetic difference is not the end of the world and your body is likely still completely healthy.

You can also apply the wet bikini/yeast infection rule and change out of damp clothing quickly. For your especially taxing gym trips, change into a pair of backup shorts. When in doubt, consider setting an appointment with a healthcare professional to put your mind at ease.