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?

How very unhelpful.

@MsCactus the thread is about the buttocks and perineum, not the vagina. Unless I’ve missed a massive drip-feed.

@MsCactus no it doesn’t if it’s designed for sensitive skin and unscented. It’s all the additives in the more cosmetic soaps (and shower gels) plus perfumes (synthetic or natural - essential oils etc.) which do that. Soap is fine. Aqueous cream is absolutely not designed for cleaning.

@MumblesParty if she mentioned her husband had a thrust or yeast infections in the area then no I wouldn’t recommend soap & I’d be surprised if a dr recommended soap to be used in the genital area too

Definitely won't do you any harm to apply canesten cream around the anus and in the folds for a few days, OP, but fairly sparingly. If it's fungal-related (sounds like it is) that will clear it up. In terms of maintenence then, yes definitely something like hibiscrub in the shower followed by medicated talc.

A useful and related tip I got from a MN thread last year has helped me to keep the anus and bum crack area much cleaner throughout the day. Get a tube of lubricant (eg. KY or K-nect). On wiping after pooing, avoid wiping upwards. Instead, use toilet paper to 'blot' the anus and just around it until your toilet paper looks pretty clear. Then squeeze a 2p-sized amount of lubricant onto some toilet paper and gently wipe around the anus. At this point you can also start wiping upwards, as the lubricant will also help to clean between the folds. I've found this really helpful for keeping that area clean and fresh between showers/baths.

@ThisMama1 OP said the smell came from her buttocks (“bum crack”) and around her anus, not inside her vagina, which is where thrush and BV would be.
OP literally said she “Ran my finger up the top of my bum crack and nope, smell still there”. My understanding is that “top of bum crack” is nowhere near the vagina. It would be very easy to use soap in that area without getting it anywhere near the vagina.

Do you wear synthetic knickers in bed? Or in the day? If so. Stop. Finest cotton only.

I would use sea salt in the bath, 3 massive handfuls. It will really help. Wiping it with salted water will help too.

And try to wear cotton nighties to bed, the fresh air will really help.

@ThisMama1 well maybe not ‘soap’ specifically but if someone told you they had this problem and in the next breath told you they didn’t wash properly - using aqueous cream is not washing properly. Then you might suggest they give some kind of lathering surfactant a try before anything else!

Also I keep a jar of extra virgin cold pressed coconut oil upstairs (about £4 in Tesco) as it’s really effective for itchy or sore bits. Anti bacterial and anti fungal and really good for skin. Apparently really good for haemorrhoids too!

Lather up, dry off, rub on a bit of coconut oil and in a few days bob’s your uncle OP.

You may want to boil wash your towels as well if you use them to dry your bits. Prefer cool setting on hair dryer myself.

@MumblesParty you can get thrush in the anus area too but as a GP you would know that… Using soap for the skin around the anus when you have recurring thrush can end up making things so much worse

Op, can I ask gently, when’s the last time you washed that area with soap? If you do not wash with soap, just a moisturiser, then it won’t get clean.

@ThisMama1 did you read the OP? She said “top of my bum crack”.

I really can’t believe I’m having to tell people that if you don’t wash the area between your buttocks properly it’ll smell.

I give up, I really do.

@Janieforever OP never uses soap apparently, but people are still telling her that the smell could be a medical problem for which she needs to see a GP!

Aquaeous cream isn’t going to cut it, try femfresh or a bar of soap that’s oil based.

then sudocrem all over the area for a few days, or canestan as others have said.

but really it sounds as if the dr shouldcswab for fungal infection,

While you’re doing all that, wash and clean your bum after every bowel movement

I would use special soap for intimate hygiene rather than a normal soap.
Also, if you want to use a sit bath, use either vinegar or soda in the water, not both at once /they react with each other/. You could also try salty bath.

Docs , that’s what they are for

If it’s not thrush or bv then go to GP. Please don’t be embarrassed

Do people really not wash their arse crack?
Give it a good scrub with a soapy flannel, dry then use a medicated powder like caldesene or similar.

It's a sweaty area so not always going to smell completely fresh but it def needs to be washed.

a couple of years ago I had a phase of UTIs - couldn't use soap, and didn't find the aqueous gloop helpful for cleansing.
I used an Oilatum bodywash, and when I bathed E45 bath oil.

I think sharing intimate washing details is not a good idea...

Aqueous cream absolutely can be used as a soap substitute so I disagree with everyone saying it isn't enough to clean the body.

@7000BT I had dermol 500 prescribed when I had itching in the groin area. Think it's anti microbial. Also had a combine anti fungal/steroid cream

@Mrsgreen100 please explain to me why it is necessary to see someone with 9 years of medical training to learn that soap is needed to wash properly?