I mean that literally, unfortunately. I exercise for a while, but one thing prevents me from keeping it up more than a few months at a time: painful pimples on my butt and at my waist. The ones at my waist I can cope with, but not the ones that make sitting painful for a week or two.
I shower within minutes of exercising, and only wear cotton undies and loose cotton shorts (I’d consider not wearing anything under my shorts but I had two incidences of mid-cycle spotting during workouts last summer, so I’d rather be able to wear a panty liner), yet this problem happens every time I make an effort to work out for more than half an hour once a week. Any advice??
I can’t be the only one whose has had this problem, so what worked for you?
My first thought is to get a pair of shorts made of a moisture-wicking fabric - some kind of polyester blend. I see these advertised as “technical fabrics” in the sporting goods stores.
Also, not to be gross, but is there any chance that these painful pimples could actually be boils? If so, then seeing an MD or a dermatologist might pay off for you.
I don’t think so. They look absolutely nothing like the picture that pop up on google if you do an image search for “boils on buttocks.” They’re also said to be a “Lump [that] becomes larger, more painful, and softer over time” which doesn’t happen, either.
Do you think the “pimples” are a result of chafing? I used to have that problem in places where my body would be rubbing against my clothes, though I’ve never had it on my butt itself. Body Glide http://www.amazon.com/BodyGlide-Anti-Chafing-Stick/dp/B001FSL8MA works for me, I’ve never had problems with chafing since I started using it
If you think it’s chaffing then your options are simple! First, try the Body Glide (you can find it at any running store and you rub it on just like deodorant). Second, change out the underwear you’re wearing like MsWhatsit recommended. Try to find a pair that is designed for athletics that will wick away your sweat. A dry booty is a happy booty!
Thanks for the suggestion, but women aren’t supposed to use anything with talc in it any more near the genital area. It’s been linked to ovarian cancer in multiple studies.
As a person who has spent a *lot of time heavily exercising while seated on a bicycle, I second the advice to ditch the cotton and invest in some hi-tech moisture wicking polyester underwear/briefs. Ones made by a quality brand company (dupont makes several fabrics that several manufactures incorporate, utilize in their products) are surprisingly comfortable. Don’t let the higher price deter you, pairs made by a quality brand will last for years.
If you’re still having trouble, an old cycler’s trick that really works (helps prevent “saddle sores”) is to blot rubbing alcohol on a washcloth, use this on affected area before you work out.
To be blunt: how hairy is your ass? I carry a firearm in an inside waistband holster, and I sometimes get pimples where the leather chafes against the fine hairs along my side. Might be happening with you. Any connection with timing of any hair removal activities?
Was going to suggest some powders I use when motorcycling, but I see they all contain talc. Helps with chafing and one isn’t left with that “fresh diaper smell”.
If you mean that you are exercising while wearing cotton that’s the first problem to fix - do not wear cotton shirts, shorts, undies, socks, hat, etc. Cotton gets wet and stays wet, unlike various other fabrics (such as wool and various synthetics), and it doesn’t wick the moisture away from your body so you get wet cotton stuck to your skin which is just asking for rashes, blisters, hairs getting yanked out, etc.
Any good sporting goods store will have plenty of stuff to help you out and you do not need to spend a fortune. I’m not a woman but it looks like sports bras are easy to find. You can get perfectly good (and very inexpensive) polyester t-shirts and shorts at places like Target. I’d recommend getting proper underwear from something like a running store or REI although if you know what you need I’m sure the local “big box” sporting goods stores will stock it. If you are riding a bike, get some bike shorts - they may seem expensive ($40 - $100) but a good pair feels great, keeps you comfy, is padded in the right places and they will last many years with proper care. If it bothers you to wear something that snug you can put a cheap pair of shorts over them.
Finally, although you specifically mentioned the tush as opposed to the tootsies, get good socks, which means some kind of wool or synthetic (or a blend). They’re more expensive than el cheapo cotton socks (depending on what you buy, anywhere from $6-$17 per pair) but you will never want to wear cotton socks again and your feet will love you for switching (I run long distances so I’m a bit of a foot care evangelist).
After getting rid of the cotton workout gear if you’re still having problems in particular spots you can try various friction reducers and moisture control products that have been mentioned, like Body Glide and talcum powder. As Patch mentioned, you may want to check whether any body hair is getting pulled at; although this might go away when you change from cotton, if it’s still a problem you can trim or shave the area.
Your enemies here are friction and moisture. As mentioned above, first step is ditch cotton.
I’m fairly into cycling and other endurance activities, so I’ll get out for hours on end and even with the best clothing it’s pretty near impossible to prevent saddle sores (IOW: big painful ass zits) without some sort of moisture control. Body glide and talcum powder are suggestions in the right direction but by far the most effective thing I’ve found is a cheap tube of drug-store brand zinc oxide.
Before you start, rub it into those spots where you’re both sweating an experiencing significant friction (waistbands, or either side of your groin where a bicycle seat makes contact for example.) Spread some of this stuff on your fingers and then run them under a faucet, you’ll see it repels moisture quite well.
