Swamp Ass: The Do's And Don'ts Of How To Stop Butt Sweat In Its ...

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How to Win the Fight Against Butt Sweat

Medically reviewed by Angelica Balingit, MD — Written by Adrienne Santos-Longhurst — Updated on August 5, 2024

Causes
What to do
What not to do
See a doctor
FAQ
Takeaway

Butt sweat happens to everyone. To stay drier and prevent rashes, choose underwear in cotton or moisture-wicking fabrics, stand up often to let your backside breathe, and dust your rear with some baby powder.

Swamp crack. Sweaty bum. Butt sweat. Whatever you call it, know that it happens to the best of us.

An intense workout, a hot summer’s day, and even stress can cause your butt to sweat so much that you feel like you’ve been sitting in a swamp.

So, what’s a person to do? Read on for ways to deal with this sticky problem so you can stop worrying about leaving your mark on seats all over town.

Why it happens

First, know that everyone sweats back there. Some people just happen to sweat more than others.

Your body has two types of sweat glands:

Eccrine glands: secrete an odorless mixture of water and salt to cool your skin and lower your body temperature
Apocrine glands: produce the smelly substance we usually associate with sweating

The good news is that your butt only contains eccrine glands. So, while butt sweat might be visible through your pants, at least it doesn’t have an odor.

Because butt sweat results from the eccrine glands, butt sweat is caused by the same things that increase your body temperature and cause sweating in other body parts, including:

being in hot temperatures
exercising
feeling stressed or nervous
wearing thick or unbreathable fabrics

Sweat loves to collect in skin folds — and that’s basically what your butt crack is.

When you’ve got two buttocks pressed together, it creates the ideal space for sweat to develop with no place to go. Add a pair of skinny jeans or any other snug gear, and you’ve got the makings of a sweaty situation.

What you can do

Butt sweat isn’t just uncomfortable. Trapped moisture between your buttocks can result in an accumulation of bacteria and germs, increasing your risk of developing infections or rashes.

Follow these tips to keep your backside relatively sweat-free.

1. Choose cotton or moisture-wicking underwear

The right type of underwear can help to keep your rear cool and dry. Natural fabrics like cotton allow your skin to breathe and may be a good choice for everyday underwear.

When exercising or engaging in any other physically demanding activity, opt for moisture-wicking underwear designed to prevent moisture from accumulating on your skin.

2. Carry a spare pair in your bag

Keep a spare pair of underwear in your bag in case you feel things starting to get damp. This is especially useful if you have plans to hit the gym or have a night out after work.

The less time you spend in damp underwear, the less time bacteria have to accumulate.

3. Know where the bathrooms are

If you start to feel the dreaded dampness and don’t have a spare pair of underwear on hand, head to the bathroom as soon as possible. Grab some paper towels and lightly wet one of them before you head into the stall.

Gently pat the sweat away with the damp towel before drying the area with the remaining paper towels. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing, as this can cause more irritation.

4. Stand up every chance you get

Sitting for long periods of time allows sweat to collect between your cheeks.

If you spend most of your day sitting, try to stand up and walk around for a few minutes whenever you can. This will give your back end a chance to breathe.

5. Apply baby powder

It’s worked for babies’ tushies for years, and it can work for yours, too. A light dusting of baby powder between your cheeks can help to absorb extra moisture and reduce friction.

Some research from the American Cancer Society suggests that talcum powder may be linked to ovarian cancer when used around your genital region. While the link between the two still isn’t completely clear, you can avoid the issue by opting for a cornstarch-based powder.

6. Opt for a medicated body powder

If your butt sweat is often accompanied by itching or pain, consider using a medicated body powder. These powders are designed to reduce friction and heat while preventing the growth of fungi and bacteria. Some also contain calamine to relieve itching and menthol for a cooling effect.

Some popular products that might be worth a shot include:

Anti Monkey Butt Powder
Zeasorb Excess Moisture Powder
Gold Bond Ultimate Body Powder (talc-free)

7. Invest in some dark bottoms

If all else fails, or you’re still self-conscious about having a wet spot on your pants, consider sticking with dark-colored bottoms if you know you’re going to be sweating a lot. This won’t stop your butt from sweating, but it can help to minimize the appearance of wetness.

What you shouldn’t do

When it comes to butt sweat, there are a few things you should avoid doing at all costs.

1. Wear your leather hot pants

Your pants are just as important as your underwear when it comes to butt sweat.

Avoid wearing non-breathable pants made from leather or synthetic fabrics, such as polyester. Even if you’re wearing breathable undies, thick, unbreathable pants can make it hard for sweat to evaporate.

2. Apply deodorant to your butt

Tons of people use deodorant to combat armpit sweat, so you might be tempted to try it between your cheeks. But deodorant usually contains fragrance to help combat the smell produced by apocrine glands under your arms. The chemicals in these fragrances can irritate the delicate skin of your derrière, leading to more discomfort.

3. Wait to take off wet swimsuit bottoms

Butt sweat tends to be a bigger problem in warmer weather. This also happens to be the time of year when you’re most likely to be swimming. When you combine butt sweat with soggy swimsuit bottoms, you have a perfect recipe for a fungal infection or uncomfortable rash.

If you’re heading to the pool, be sure to pack a spare change of clothes and undies, so you can change right away.

When to see a doctor

Everyone sweats. But excessive sweating may be a sign of an underlying condition. This type of sweating is known as hyperhidrosis. It doesn’t always have a clear cause, and some experts think there might be a genetic component.

In other cases, butt sweat can lead to a skin infection or rash requiring treatment.

Underlying conditions

Certain medical conditions can also cause hyperhidrosis, including:

thyroid problems
diabetes
hot flashes caused by menopause
infections
nervous system disorders
certain types of cancer

But if one of these conditions is causing your sweating, you’ll likely notice some other symptoms as well.

Follow up with a doctor if you notice any of the following:

sweating and unexplained weight loss
sweating that occurs mainly while you sleep (night sweats)
sweating that is accompanied by chest pain or pressure
sweating that occurs with:
- fever
- shortness of breath
- fast heart rate
- chest pain
persistent, unexplained sweating

Skin infections

Excessive sweating can also cause skin maceration, which increases your risk of developing an infection.

Tell your doctor if you notice any signs of a skin infection, such as:

redness or discoloration
warmth
swelling
pain

Frequently asked questions

Does hair removal down there help reduce sweating?

Shaving, waxing, lasering, or other methods of hair removal help reduce sweat collection by removing the places where sweat likes to sit and collect. It can also help you feel drier.

However, have caution when removing hair around your genitals. And if you’re shaving, be sure to use a separate razor from the rest of your shaving routine.

Why do I sweat so much from my bottom?

Sweating is natural — it’s your body’s way of trying to stay cool when it gets warm. Besides genetics and the fact that you have eccrine sweat glands in your bottom, other reasons you may be sweating a lot include:

Medication: some medications have sweating as a side effect. Be sure to read the label on any medication you might be taking. If it bothers you, talk with your doctor about treatments that could help combat your sweaty backside.
Caffeine: Along with causing spikes in the stress hormone cortisol, the cup of coffee you drink may also be contributing to your sweating, according to research from 2022.

How do I stop my bottom from sweating?

Because sweating is a natural process, there isn’t much you can do to stop it completely, but this article mentions ways to help you control it.

The takeaway

Butt sweat happens to everyone, but making a few tweaks to your daily routine can help you keep it under control. Focus on keeping the area as cool and dry as possible, and give your bum a chance to air out whenever you can.

Excessive sweating can sometimes be a sign of hyperhidrosis, another underlying health condition, or a skin infection. If you notice other symptoms alongside excessive sweating, such as unexplained weight loss, talk with your doctor.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

5 unusual sweat-stoppers [press release]. (2020).https://www.sweathelp.org/sweat-help-home/press-releases/472-5-surprising-ways-to-stop-sweating.html
American Cancer Society medical and editorial content team. (2022). Talcum powder and cancer.https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/talcum-powder-and-cancer.html
Brackenwich J, et al. (2022). Hyperhidrosis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459227/
Cole EL, et al. (2024).https://journals.lww.com/psychosomaticmedicine/abstract/9900/habitual_caffeine_use_is_associated_with.231.aspx
Choose your doctor (n.d.).https://www.sweathelp.org/taking-action/choosing-your-doctor.html
Don’t sweat it: How moisture-wicking fabrics keep you cool and dry. (2022).https://inchemistry.acs.org/atomic-news/dont-sweat-it.html
Hodge BD, et al. (2022). Anatomy, sweat glands.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482278/
Hyperhidrosis. (2022).https://familydoctor.org/condition/hyperhidrosis/
Is deodorant harmful for your health? (2019).https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2019/june/deodorant
Kwon R-W, et al. (2022). Coffee intake may promote sudomotor function activation the contribution of caffeine.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9774485/
Ludmann P. (2024). Hyperhidrosis: 6 tips dermatologists give their patients.https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/hyperhidrosis-self-care
Ludmann P. (2024). Hyperhidrosis: causes.https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/a-z/hyperhidrosis-causes
Sweaty back, groin, etc. (n.d.).https://www.sweathelp.org/where-do-you-sweat/back-groin-other.html

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Medically reviewed by Angelica Balingit, MD — Written by Adrienne Santos-Longhurst — Updated on August 5, 2024

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