Having itchy buttocks is usually not a cause for concern. However, it may occur due to some conditions that affect the skin, such as contact dermatitis, folliculitis, and more.

This article will go over the potential causes of itchy buttocks. It will also outline the treatment options and when to see a doctor.

Contact dermatitis occurs when a person’s skin comes into contact with something that causes an allergic reaction.

Symptoms of contact dermatitis include:

If a person has repeated exposure to an allergen, they may also experience:

  • flaky, cracked skin
  • scaly skin
  • thick, dark, leathery skin

Some common causes of contact dermatitis include poison ivy, nickel, latex, and soaps.

Learn more about contact dermatitis here.

Treatment

If possible, a person should avoid the substance that caused the rash to appear.

A doctor may also treat a person’s contact dermatitis using:

Folliculitis is a common skin infection that affects hair follicles.

Buttock folliculitis can be acute or chronic:

Acute buttock folliculitis

This usually occurs due to bacteria and results in painful pustules and papules.

A person can take antibiotics to treat acute buttock folliculitis.

Chronic buttock folliculitis

This does not typically cause severe symptoms, but it can be persistent.

Treatment includes:

  • antiseptics
  • acne treatments
  • antibiotics
  • peeling agents
  • hair removal, such as creams or laser treatment

Hot tub folliculitis appears when the hair follicles come into contact with contaminated water. It typically affects children more so than adults.

A person can get hot tub folliculitis from hot tubs, whirlpools, and waterslides.

The symptoms include itchy and flushed bumps that can develop into painful nodules. They may also be filled with pus.

Treatment

Hot tub folliculitis usually clears up without treatment in 5–10 days.

However, if the rash does not go away or if a person grows concerned, they should speak with a doctor.

Treatments for hot tub rash include:

  • silver sulfadiazine cream or other over-the-counter antibiotic creams used to treat bacterial infections
  • white vinegar applied to the rash
  • antibiotics

Ringworm is a type of contagious fungal infection. It can appear anywhere on the skin, and without treatment, it can spread across the body.

Symptoms of ringworm around the groin and buttocks, or jock itch, include:

  • itchy, swollen rash that first appears where the top of the thigh meets the body
  • rash that spreads to the inner thigh, waist, and buttocks
  • scaly, raised skin
  • flaking, peeling, or cracked skin
  • itchy, painful skin

Learn more about jock itch here.

Treatment

A person who has ringworm may wish to contact a doctor regarding treatment. The doctor may treat ringworm with antifungal cream or medicine.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) note that scabies is a skin infection that occurs due to the human itch mite, or Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis.

People may experience itching and a rash on the:

  • buttocks
  • beltline
  • waist
  • penis
  • nipple
  • elbow
  • wrist

Itching and a rash may also affect the area between the fingers or under the armpit.

Symptoms of scabies include:

  • irregularly occurring intense itching, especially at night
  • a bumpy rash occasionally with what looks like little lines in the skin
  • scaly patches
  • sores
  • thick crusts on the skin

Learn more about scabies here.

Treatment

A person can treat scabies using scabicides, which are medications that kill the mites and the eggs.

These medications come in the form of a cream or lotion.

Dermatitis herpetiformis, also known as Duhring’s disease, is a chronic skin condition that occurs as a reaction to eating gluten. It occurs in 10–15% of people with celiac disease.

Dermatitis herpetiformis causes extremely itchy bumps to appear on the forearms, knees, buttocks, and hairline.

Learn more about dermatitis herpetiformis here.

Treatment

A person with dermatitis herpetiformis should follow a gluten-free diet to help their symptoms.

A doctor may also prescribe dapsone, which is a sulfone antibiotic.

Porokeratosis ptychotropica is a rare skin condition that affects the buttocks.

A person with porokeratosis ptychotropica will experience scaly or warty plaques on the buttocks. They may also experience itching. The condition may affect the lower legs as well.

Healthcare professionals do not yet know the cause. However, this condition may occur due to:

Treatment

There is currently no cure for porokeratosis ptychotropica. However, doctors may suggest the following:

  • cold therapy
  • dermabrasion
  • laser treatment
  • topical creams

Cutaneous larva migrans is a parasitic skin infection. It occurs when a person comes into contact with hookworm larva, usually via soil or sand.

Once the larva has entered a person’s skin, it travels beneath the surface, causing itchy red tracks. These tracks usually appear on a person’s feet or buttocks.

Treatment

The larvae cannot mature inside a human host and will eventually die. However, a doctor can treat a person with cutaneous larva migrans using:

  • anthelmintics, a type of antiparasitic drug
  • cold therapy
  • antifungal cream

To soothe itchy skin at home, a person can try the following:

  • applying a cold, wet cloth to the itchy skin
  • taking an oatmeal bath
  • moisturizing the affected area
  • applying cooling agents, such as calamine and menthol
  • applying topical anesthetics

However, a person should seek guidance from a doctor to receive proper treatment.

The doctor may ask the person questions about their medical history and any symptoms they have.

The doctor may also take skin samples from the affected area to help diagnose any skin conditions.

If the itching is persistent, a person should contact a doctor.

A person should also speak with a doctor if the itching is causing discomfort or if they are experiencing additional symptoms.

Itchy buttocks can also occur alongside a rash.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, a person should seek immediate medical attention if they have a rash that:

  • is all over their body
  • co-occurs with a fever
  • is sudden and spreads rapidly
  • begins to blister
  • is painful
  • is infected

A person should also seek immediate medical attention if they have difficulty breathing or a swollen face or eyes. This is the result of a severe allergic reaction.

Usually, itchy buttocks are not a cause for concern. However, certain conditions can cause the buttocks to become itchy.

A person who is concerned about itchy buttocks should consult a doctor. The doctor will be able to discuss potential causes and treatment options.

If a person notices any serious symptoms regarding a rash they have, they should seek immediate medical attention.