My bum crack smells!

[7000BT]

NC for obvious reasons!!

This is so disgusting and TMI so huge apologies in advance!

For years now my bum crack has had a horrible sort of fishy, putrid smell 😳

I had a baby a few years ago and got piles that I’ve never been able to fully get rid of but even when I had nearly got rid of them, the smell was still there. I think I must get quite sweaty as I get itchy and it’s when I’ve itched that I’ve noticed the smell 😳

I’ve just had a shower and scrubbed my anus and between my bum cheeks (only with aqueous cream as I can’t use scented stuff or I get thrush) stepped out of the shower. Ran my finger up the top of my bum crack and nope, smell still there 😳😳

This isn’t normal is it, I know I probably need to go to the GP but it’s so bloody embarrassing! I’d be mortified!

Has anyone else had this?

You just have a yeast infection and combined with bacteria from sweating there, the smell can be very unpleasant. Clean twice a day, alternate cantesten and sudocream and keep it dry with a medicated body powder.

I love that there's been so much great advice here and apart from one idiot, people have been nice. Don't be embarrassed, OP. Our bodies can be utter bastards but doctors have seen far worse. I hope it gets sorted really quickly and you can feel good about yourself again. It's not your fault, it's just one of those bloody things.

Agree with the suggestions for anti-fungal cream.

If it doesn't improve, please go and see your GP. I was a midwife and I can guarantee that there wasn't a question about vaginas, bums or associated parts that would make me bat an eye lid. All part of the job and never gave it a second thought.

How is dettol ok with vaginas? Doesn’t it get up there and cause…damage? I dunno. Seems wrong some how? And is it a separate skin type of dettol? Or just like the stuff you get in the spray bottle? What even is dettol? Like chemically?

This aqueous cream does not clean only moisturises. You need proper soap.

By bum crack, do you mean the skin between your buttocks? If so then read this https://dermnetnz.org/topics/intertrigo

If not. & you think it's BV (bacterial vaginosis), read this https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bacterial-vaginosis/

Wash it with hibiscrub.

https://amzn.eu/d/itFq6qf

Medicated talk is a good thing to try. I get psoriasis there (like PP) and talc helps

I think using a bar of soap even Simple one would help. The foaming plus very warm water would cut through the oil/sweat on skin.

I use Femfresh or there's a wash from Tropic I like to wash my vulva and right between folds plus anus etc.

Have you considered it might be your finger?

You've got a lot going on in that area - you've mentioned BV and thrush and now this potential yeast infection -- what you need are probiotics. How's your diet? Boots do amazing probiotic chewable tablets, they work wonders. Your gut health controls a lot of what else goes on so I'd tackle that once you've tackled the initial issue.

Absolutely this. 7 years of medical school plus additional training - your bum won’t phase the GP. Please get this sorted. It sounds miserable for you.

Be careful with which soap you use- try a really really gentle one. Then try canesten twice a day and see if that helps. Clean the area with water after going to the toilet instead of paper- you can get portable bidets from Amazon for a tenner. Then make sure it’s totally dry before applying the cream. If that doesn’t work then you might need to go to gp.

You are definitely under the age of 25.

No thank you.

@AbsoFrickingLuteley I remember kids having weekly dettol baths😂

Also look at your gut health.
Take decent probiotics in case you have a fungal overgrowth

I use wet wipes sometimes when I poop.

But yes, wash with soap and canesten. I'd even throw some baby powder down there to soak up moisture.

Snap!

Is it sore op?

OP to treat bacterial vaginosis you need to change the pH in the vagina by making it more acidic. The best way to do this is to use boric acid pessaries.

GP is the port of call not 111

Most importantly, don't be mortified. A GP is experienced in handling sensitive matters and I am sure that what you are describing can be sorted out with treatment and a little bit of time. It sounds like you are clean, but the issue is a fungal infection or possibly an unhealed sore. These are medical issues. This is your GP's job.

Go to your GP and face five seconds of awkwardness (in your head) while you describe the issue, and get treated by a professional. This is surely better than spending months or years feeling awkward about a smell that is really not your fault.

Talc free baby powder after you've washed and dried. You do need to wash thoroughly first as water and aqueous cream isn't enough.

Get a long handled body brush and use soap or shower gel to work up a good lather.