I cannot "believe* I am posting this but... angry pimples on my bum, a lifelong issue, how to resolve?

[TwiggetyTwig]

Ever since puberty I have had recurring outbreaks of angry little red pimples with white heads, all over my bum. They appear about midway through my cycle so there's clearly a hormonal element, last a a few days, then die down only to return the following month. When I was on the pill I had slightly less of them but all the time instead of in regular outbreaks!

I eat a healthy mostly plant based diet, I drink enough water, I wash, I exercise...

But nothing seems to make much difference to them. I've tried pretty much everything I can think of. The only thing that did make some difference was clearasil cleansing lotion used every evening - but although they cleared up a bit on my actual bum cheeks they then started appearing further up to my hips and down my thighs instead!

So, MN, what can I do for my poor pimply arse? Preferably something I can buy online for obvious reasons. Or do I just have to wait for menopause?

Hi op, I don’t have this but I do have adult acne on my face (and I’m 50 and menopausal!). It seems to make sense that you could treat it the same way. I keep mine under control with a cream called Duca, on prescription from the GP so longer term you could try asking for that.

But the other thing that helps my skin is keeping it very clean and exfoliated. I use the Superdrug radiant glycolic peel (just an exfoliating gel, no drastic peeling effect) and st ives anti-blemish scrub. Basically try a full acne face regime on your bum!

Argh it’s called Duac not Duca sorry!

I agree with joys, treat it as you would your face, use a mild enough acid couple time's a week to begin with and see if that helps.

I exfoliate it gently every time I shower, and use a salicylic acid cleanser which seems to get them to go away faster but does nothing to stop them breaking out in the first place 😥

Maybe you're over exfoliating?

Could they be ingrowing hairs? Try Tend Skin for that. Amazing stuff.

I'm using Murad salicylic spray for my back and chest at the moment, it's so effective.

Have you tried benzoyl peroxide cream? There's a brand called acnecide you can buy it OTC in the chemist. I use it for mild acne on my face, and when I was a teenager with worse I used to also use it on my back and chest.

Just remember benzoyl peroxide can bleach any cloth in contact with it - don't ruin your favourite knickers!

I think you can buy PanOxyl OTC now too.

Could it be a staph infection? I used to get them on my neck especially when I was stressed. I think it was contamination from my bath and not cleaning it properly plus defensives being down with stress. Anyway it resolved with me taking showers.

Hibiscrub! Always clears my body acne right up if I get any. I think it's been mentioned on mumsnet quite a lot in the past.

Do you wear a lot of tight trousers? What fabric are ypur knickers? I used to get this i found shower everyday preferably at night (to clean off sweat etc before bed) Exfoliation manual or chemical, spot cream no knickers in bed let the skin breath. My bum is now spot free just covered in cellulite

I second Hibiscrub and cotton pants

Have you tried washing the area with soaps/gels containing tea tree oil? That has really helped my skin.

I've used Soap and Glory exfoliating shower gloves (they are more expensive than the own brand versions but much more effective I've found as they have more texture!) along with head and shoulders (or own brand version) shampoo. The zinc in the anti dandruff shampoo helps kill the bacteria. This combination worked like a charm for back acne for me.

If it’s this long-standing ring your dr. Skin infections are very difficult to treat on your own.

Hibiscrub, rubbed into dry skin then rinse off in the shower or bath. Brilliant for body acne, just wash your hands well as soon as you've rubbed it in.

Pure tea tree oil. Honestly amazing!
I have started to get a horrible rash/loads of very infected pimples on my cheek. I rubbed the oil in with a cotton bud before bed and literally within days my skin and soreness has cleared.

Cotton pants, always!

I don't think it is a staph infection as it is so clearly linked to my hormonal cycle.

I shower mostly and have a bath maybe once a week if I can find time for a leisurely soak!

Well the progesterone increase during your cycle will increase sebum production for the bacteria to live on.

If you were going to get rid of this on your own it would have gone away by now. As you approach menopause and estrogen decreases it’s my understanding that the effects of androgens and progesterone increases.