Excessive Butt Sweat: What You Need to Know & You're Too Afraid to Ask

June 10, 2022 12 min read

excessive butt sweat

Okay, let’s face it, there’s no delicate way to talk about butt sweat. It keeps you awake at night, worrying about what the weather will be like at tomorrow’s baseball game. It has you avoiding the dance floor even though you know you can bust a move. You’ll play a power round of golf with the boys but be very nervous about the color of your shorts. You dread being stuck in a muggy conference room for hours in fear you’ll stand and look like you had an accident.

In other words, whether it's hot or not, “swamp butt” is one of those embarrassing, uncomfortable issues that you don't want to talk about – or ask about.

When you’re dealing with sweat in an area where ventilation is not at a premium, you’re bound to get accumulate moisture in the heat of the moment. However, excessive moisture that seeps through your clothes can be embarrassing.

If you are suffering from a swampy seat, we’ve got you covered with our ultimate guide on butt sweat. You'll learn what makes your butt sweat, when to talk to your doctor about your sweaty butt (and other medical issues), and how to prevent or stop butt sweat.

What follows are tips and tricks to help you manage (or hide) your butt sweat.

This post was published in July 2019, and updated in April 2020, February 2021 and June 2022 so you're all set for the summer season this year.

Why Does My Butt Sweat So Much?

If you're wondering embarrassing questions like "why does my butt sweat so much," you're not alone – many people struggle with this experience and don't understand sweaty bum causes. 

The reality is that your butt is an area where the sun doesn’t shine, and the air doesn’t flow either. You’ve got two areas here that can cause sweat. There are your butt cheeks, and then you’ve got your perineal area, which is the spot between your legs from your butt to your genitals. This just happens to be one of those spots that tend to sweat more than other areas. Combine that with the fact it's close quarters down there, and your sweat glands are begging for air.

You’ve got two types of glands that produce sweat:

  1. Eccrine glands, which secrete odorless water and salt to keep you cool when you are hot.
  2. Apocrine glands, which produce a thicker secretion that unfortunately stinks.

So, your butt cheeks have the non-stinky glands, while the apocrine glands in the perineal area produce the thicker, smellier sweat. You may also have sweat dripping down your back, causing an even swampier mess in your nether regions. Although everyone sweats, not everyone sweats excessively.

If this sounds like a scenario that’s uncomfortably familiar, there is a chance you might have hyperhidrosis.

What is Hyperhidrosis?

When you suffer from excessive sweating, you could have a condition called hyperhidrosis. The condition causes you to continuously produce sweat, regardless of the temperature, or your level of physical activity. 

Sweating is not only normal but also serves an important job to help keep us from overheating. The water and salt produced when sweating cools the skin as it evaporates. However, when you are sweating to the point of dripping all the time, this is not normal sweat gland function.

When sweating becomes so excessive that it looks like you peed your pants, then chances are you have hyperhidrosis.

Sweat in Confined Spaces

It makes sense that confined areas of the body, such as the butt crack, provide an ideal spot for sweating. Between two rather confining buttocks, the sweat gets stuck there, creating a myriad of issues.

With all that sweat, you can develop more than just wet shorts and leaving sweat on chairs. Adding fuel to the fire, when your butt crack is always sweaty, you’re creating a factory primed to produce a whole lot of woes. We are talking serious overgrowth of bacteria and yeast, the main culprits that cause intense itching. You can also develop rashes and infections.

 Some of the common issues caused by butt sweat include:

  • Heat rash: A very itchy red rash that can look a lot like blisters, but mostly red bumps.
  • Intertrigo: An inflammation that is caused by skin friction and can become very irritable and uncomfortable.
  • Acne: Sweating can aggravate skin prone to acne.
  • Folliculitis: Infected hair follicles caused by friction.
  • Candida: A very itchy fungus caused by yeast, which can spread.
  • Skin maceration: This is that wrinkly skin associated with long baths or swimming. It usually goes away, but when the skin remains wet, it can remain macerated, which in turn can lead to infections.

    All these conditions can have you tugging at your shorts in a desperate attempt to relieve the itch.

    hyperhidrosis medication

    When to Talk to Your Doctor about Butt Sweat

    Should you see the doctor for a sweaty butt? Well, yes. If you are sweating to excess, you could have hyperhidrosis, but there are also other underlying health issues that could be causing it. You want to rule out anything serious while finding out if anything can be done to help with your issues.

    For example, some underlying health issues could include:

    • Thyroid problems
    • Diabetes
    • Infections
    • Nervous system disorders
    • Certain types of cancer
    • Use of certain medications

      With these conditions, you probably have some other symptoms as well, but that’s why you’re visiting the doctor. During your visit, you can discuss your overall health and if needed, your doctor will evaluate other symptoms if he or she suspects it could be more than hyperhidrosis.

      You also want to speak to your doctor if you are experiencing other issues down there, including:

      • Redness
      • Warmth
      • Swelling
      • Pain
      • Itching
      • Skin discolorations (which admittedly are hard to spot!)

        Any skin challenges or infections should really be taken care of right away, as all that dampness will just make matters worse.

        sweat proof underwear

        Medical Options for How to Stop Butt Sweat

        If it turns out that you are suffering from excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, there are medical treatments you can discuss with your doctor. These may help with how to stop butt sweat and they include:

        • Prescription antiperspirant: Prescription strength antiperspirants contain a higher concentration of the active ingredient aluminum chloride. Antiperspirant should not be applied to the butt crack or perineal area. Before using, discuss application techniques with your doctor.
        • Anticholinergic drugs (Nerve-blocking medications): This is an oral medication that blocks the chemicals in your body that cause sweating. They have some pretty annoying and even dangerous side effects, including heart palpitations, blurred vision, dry mouth, and bladder issues.
        • Antidepressants: These medications can both reduce the anxiety of excessive sweating, which can help in decreasing sweat.
        • Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections: It can block sweat, but not all doctors are willing to provide this treatment in this area of the body, as it is most commonly used in the underarms and feet.

          Although there are also medical procedures available for different areas of the body affected by hyperhidrosis symptoms, none of them are currently recommended in the groin area.

          Diet and Lifestyle Adjustments to Prevent Butt Sweat

          If meds aren’t your style, or your doctor does not feel they will be effective for you, these lifestyle changes can also help stop butt sweat. Not only will they reduce sweat, but many of them are also going to help you lose weight and enjoy improved health. The less weight you carry, and the healthier you are, the less you will sweat.

          • Avoid spicy foods because they increase sweating.
          • Avoid raw onions and excess amounts of garlic because they can make sweat smell worse.
          • Avoid deep-fried, fatty, and processed foods.
          • Choose a low carb diet.
          • Avoid caffeine as it is a stimulant that triggers your sweat glands.
          • Drink 8 to 13 cups of water a day to stay cool and avoid dehydration, which intensifies sweating.
          • Eat digestion-friendly foods such as celery, spinach, cucumbers, watermelon, lettuce, olive oil, bell peppers, and grapefruit.
          • Take a Vitamin B supplement to keep your vital systems and organs functioning properly.
          • Drink wheatgrass juice (if you can stand it).
          • Avoid smoking and drinking (if you can stand it).
          • Eat less salt as your body sweats to flush salt from your system.

            how to deal with butt sweat

            Keep Calm and Carry On

            As mentioned, stress adds to excessive sweating. Finding ways to reduce stress in your life will help. You can try:

            • Breathing: Deep breathing exercises allow you to control negative emotions and reduce stress-related sweat. When you are faced with a stressful situation, take a few calming, slow deep breaths by breathing in through your nose, holding it for three seconds, and then exhaling calmly through your mouth.
            • Meditate: Meditation techniques help teach mindfulness, so you don’t overthink things, and instead remain in the moment. It helps reduce anxiety and will also improve focus.
            • Exercise: In addition to lowering the stress hormone cortisol, regular exercise will help you shed the pounds that increase sweat production. Exercising improves your attitude by releasing your natural feel-good endorphins. It can be as simple as walking every day, but you can get a good workout shooting hoops with your buddies, playing some touch football, or riding a bike. Choose what you love to make it easier to stay active.

              protect your clothes from sweat

              Stop Butt Sweat the Natural Way

              More and more people are looking for natural ways to manage their health. If this sounds like you (or if other things aren’t working for you), try some of these home remedies:

              • Apple Cider Vinegar: This is a natural astringent that controls sweat and reduces bacteria. Apply it with a cotton pad but be aware of potential irritation due to the sensitive area where you are applying it. If you experience irritation, stop using it. You might want to try this on the weekend so you can wash it off if it irritates your skin.
              • Sage and Black Tea: If the vinegar proves too astringent, teas are a great option. They contain tannic acid, which works the same way as the astringent effects of vinegar by constricting and shrinking pores. Tea reduces sweat but also kills bacteria. You can apply it directly using the tea bags steeped in boiling water. Just make sure you let it cool first.
              • Baking Soda: This can be used much like powders to absorb sweat and block odors. It won’t stop you from sweating but might keep you more comfortable.
              • Chamomile Tea: Instead of applying it to your skin, you can drink chamomile tea to reduce sweat-causing stress and anxiety.
              • Witch Hazel: This is another natural astringent, which can be applied with a cotton pad. In this case, let it sit on your skin for 30 minutes and then wash it off.
              • Shaving: Shaving as much of the area as possible can help you to avoid the hair capturing and trapping the sweat.

                When applying anything to your skin, always test it in small areas to make sure it doesn’t sting or cause irritation.

                Butt Sweat Don’ts

                One of the first and best ways to combat butt sweat is to learn what not to do if you want to keep the sweat to a minimum. Here’s what you should avoid doing, no matter what:

                • Wearing leather pants: Okay, this is probably a stretch for most guys, but if you’re a fan of leather pants, then we are talking to you. Although leather is a natural fabric, it doesn’t breathe, which means neither can your butt. So, leave them at the back of your closet or pass them on to a leather-loving friend.
                • Choosing a leather seat: It might be tempting to buy a leather couch or comfy chair for a masculine home décor. But as with leather pants, a leather couch won't help that swampy bottom. Whether you're at a high-end night club, or choosing a chair for work, never make a beeline for the leather whenever possible.
                • Wearing unbreathable fabrics: Like leather, non-breathable pants made from synthetic fabrics, such as acrylic, polyester, rayon, acetate, and nylon, do nothing but smother your butt. They not only cause you to sweat but also keep in all that dampness.
                • Using deodorant: This might seem counterintuitive, but you should not be using antiperspirants or deodorants in the butt crack. They are highly irritable, and something your delicate skin will not take to kindly.
                • Hanging out in a wet swimsuit: It might be tempting to slip out of the cool water and lounge poolside, or on that sandy beach, but that soggy bottom is going to aggravate your swampy butt. Soggy plus sweaty equals fungal infections and rashes. Always dry off completely following any water-related activities.
                • Sitting too long: Although sometimes it can’t be avoided, sitting for long periods can lead to a sweatier butt. Whether you’re in class, at work, in a conference or on a long flight, take a break. If there’s a chance to stretch your legs (and air out your bottom region), do it.

                If you're looking for other ways to prevent butt sweat, we've got you covered.

                  Tool Kit for Swampy Butt

                  Butt Sweat Do’s

                  If you aren’t having luck with the treatments available, try out these tips to make living with butt sweat easier.

                  Always Be Packing

                  Bring extra clothing and underwear wherever you go. This way, you can change when things get a little too swampy for comfort, or worse, your sweat leaks through your pants. Your “go” kit should include pants, sweat proof underwear (buy in our shop or on Amazon), baby wipes, and powder. You can wipe everything away with baby wipes, make sure you are thoroughly dry, and then apply some powder before changing into your fresh clothes.

                  Locate the Restrooms

                  Find out the bathroom locations wherever you go so that you can navigate quickly in case of a “squishy tushy.” This will make it easier to change or wipe yourself down in a sweaty emergency. It will also help prevent a panic attack and lessen anxiety as you’ll have a plan of action.

                  Never Scrub and Rub

                  Because moisture in the nether regions is so irritating, never scrub and rub when drying off. Always pat gently to remove sweat, starting with a damp paper towel. The damp towel removes the sweat while helping to avoid friction. You can then use dry paper towels to pat dry the area completely.

                  Keep It Moving

                  As mentioned, when you sit for too long, you are contributing to the perfect storm. Your butt crack is like a “canal” for sweat to trickle down and land in a pool at your butt cheeks. By moving around more often, you help avoid the sweat from pooling to create those embarrassing wet butt stains.

                  Pamper with Powder

                  There’s a reason mothers have used baby powder for centuries to help little bums avoid diaper rash. Just a light dusting on the cheeks helps absorb moisture and reduces friction, which causes rashes. Always choose corn-starch-based powders as talc is tied to some forms of cancer.

                  If you experience pain or itching, instead choose a medicated powder such as Anti Monkey Butt Powder, Zeasorb Excess Moisture Powder, or trusted Gold Bond Ultimate Body Powder.

                  Fashion Sense for Butt Sweaters

                  We’ve already provided some basics for clothing to help you avoid swampy butt. However, you also want to look good while doing so. Because your clothing choices can add to your sweaty woes, try out these fashion tips:

                  Choose Cotton

                  Cotton is a butt sweater’s best friend, which is why it is often used in athletic wear. This is an excellent option when you hit the gym as it wicks away moisture. Because it’s so versatile, you can also choose cotton clothing for nearly any other event or function.

                  Love Linen

                  Linen is nature’s other breathable fabric, which tends to come in looser weaves. It helps keep you cool in hot weather and is the material of choice in warmer climes around the world. Keep in mind that it tends to wrinkle. Another natural fabric option is hemp, which is becoming more mainstream. It helps keep air flowing to protect your skin.

                  Light Layers

                  Wearing layers might seem like the complete opposite of what you should do to avoid sweating, but it will help absorb excess sweat. Layer your shirt with a 100% cotton undershirt or an Ejis sweat proof undershirt (buy in our shop or on Amazonwith back and underarm protection. Remember a lot of that butt sweat can be trickling down your back or even from your pits. So, if you choose a comfortable undershirt, it will help keep everything drier.

                  Color Smart

                  Choose darker colored pants to avoid the stains and marks from being noticeable if you do sweat through.

                  Hang Loose

                  In hand with your snug-fitting undershirts, choose looser fitting pants and shirts. They allow you to have better airflow and also keep the fabric away from your skin. Always aim for a perfect fit at the waist and enough length. In other words, avoid skin-tight, short shorts, and baggy, sagging pants.

                  Add a Layer of Protection with Sweat Proof Underwear

                  Ejis sweat proof boxer briefs (buy in our shop or on Amazonand are designed specifically for people with extensive butt sweat issues. We use premium, comfortable micro modal fabrics in combination with odor-fighting silver and an ultra-thin waterproof layer to protect the backs of your legs, your crotch, and of course, your butt.

                  Quality sweat proof boxer briefs help you enjoy a drier, more comfortable day. This is your number one line of defense against butt sweat, whether you are facing the summer heat, watching a major league ball game, in it for the long haul at a day-long, sit-down conference, or being the best man at your brother’s outdoor wedding.

                  Although excessive sweating can be miserable, use the suggestions in this guide to help you go through life with a drier, happier, and even healthier butt.

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