7 Ways to Get Rid of Swamp Ass

It’s the reality of being a guy that during the height of summer, things can get extremely sweaty below the belt. And that wet, soupy feeling like as if you sat in something, becomes a normal state of being come August. This is swamp ass.

Why Do Guys Get Swamp Ass?

We, as humans, must sweat to regulate our body temperatures. But we don’t have much control over where we sweat. Our asses are close quarters and there’s not a lot of air circulation down there, which is why sweat tends to accumulate. It happens to everyone. But, knowing that it’s a normal bodily function doesn’t do much to lower the embarrassment factor.

It doesn’t feel great either, particularly if it goes unchecked. “Swamp ass develops when there is a high amount of perspiration between the cheeks of the butt, leading to skin irritation, along with overgrowth of yeast and bacteria,” says dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD. Yeast and bacteria thrive in a moist environment, like a sweaty ass, and can cause itching and disrupt our skin’s natural protective barrier.

More From Men’s Health

Apart from the embarrassment factor, the good news is that swamp ass is rarely a sign of a larger issue and can be managed on your own. But if you feel like you’re sweating too much or your chronic swamp ass is interfering with your quality of life, “there are prescription options that can help,” says Zeichner. Butt sweat doesn’t stink the same way armpit sweat does, provided you keep good hygiene practices, but if you do notice a foul odor, or if the skin around your butt is raw or sore (like from scratching too much), that’s another indication you should see a doctor.

So how do you stay dry and itch-free down there? These are the 7 best ways to get rid of swamp ass and how to prevent it from happening.

Keep Your Hygiene On Point

Draining the swamp starts in the shower. To make sure you’re getting rid of any bacteria or yeast that could have grown between your cheeks, use an antimicrobial body wash and clean your butt thoroughly every time you shower. How effectively you wipe after you use the bathroom makes a difference, too. Make sure to wipe until there aren’t any remnants on the toilet paper. You can also switch to wet wipes to stay extra clean.

Change Your Clothes More Often

Bacteria thrives in moist environments like your groin or ass, so even if you can’t control how much you sweat down there, you can keep the surroundings clean and dry. Always change out of sweaty clothes (like workout shorts) quickly and don’t re-wear them until they’re clean. “If you tend to sweat a lot, keep a change of underwear with you so you can swap them out in the middle of the day if you get sweaty,” says Zeichner.

Don’t Sit For Long Periods of Time

It may sound counterintuitive since we sweat more when we move, but sitting for long periods of time can actually make bacteria and yeast grow quicker. Sitting on a sweaty butt blocks air flow and presses sweat deeper into our skin making it even more moist. If you’re required to sit all day, get up and walk around often to keep the air flowing. Working out can help, too, since being overweight can increase the amount we sweat around our butts and balls, according to Zeichner.

Use Antiperspirant to Prevent Swamp Ass

You probably already have one of the most important tools in swamp ass management: antiperspirant. The same kind you use under your arms works on your butt, too. In the morning, when you’re applying it to your pits, swipe a few times between your cheeks. It will help control how much you sweat throughout the day. “It should not be applied to the skin around the anus,” says Zeichner, so a stick is your best bet to keep it away from that delicate area.

Use Baby Powder to Prevent Swamp Ass

After you apply your antiperspirant in the morning, dust your butt and balls with baby powder. The powder will help absorb moisture throughout the day, says Zeichner. If you’re worried about actual baby powder turning your underwear (or worse, your pants) white, look for one that’s talc-free like Beast Blue Ball and Body Powder. If powder is too messy, look for an easy-to-apply gel formula like Manscaped Crop Preserver that dries down to a powdery finish.

Calm The Itch Down There

The most uncomfortable part of a swampy ass is when it starts to itch. It can be debilitating (especially if you’re in public and can’t exactly deal with it) and happens when the sweat dries and the bacteria and yeast are left to grow. If you’re starting to itch, Zeichner says the first thing to do is to apply a bland moisturizer, like Aveeno Skin Relief 24-Hour Moisturizing Lotion, which has soothing, skin-protecting ingredients like colloidal oatmeal and ceramides. “If that is not helping, combine 1% hydrocortisone cream to reduce inflammation with clotrimazole cream to lower levels of yeast on the skin and bacitracin to address bacteria,” he says. Mix the three creams together in your hands and apply them to the affected area. After a couple of weeks, if it doesn’t help, go see your dermatologist.

Protect Against Chafing

Chafing is an issue wherever skin rubs together, but can be made worse when skin is sweaty (like between your butt cheeks). Chafed skin isn’t just uncomfortable either. “It can disrupt the skin barrier and lead to inflammation,” says Zeichner. To protect against chafing on your butt and anywhere else (like your thighs or armpits), he recommends applying a light layer of Vaseline Petroleum Jelly to the area. “It forms a protective barrier over the skin to allow it to heal from the inside and prevents future chafing,” he says. You can also use a protective anti-chafe product like Megaman Friction Fighter in an easy-to-apply stick form.

Garrett Munce writes about men’s style and grooming. He’s written for Esquire, New York Magazine, Spotlyte, and Very Good Light and held staff positions at GQ and W. Follow his skincare obsession on Instagram at @garrettmunce.