Swamp Ass: The Do’s and Don’ts of How to Stop Butt Sweat In Its Tracks

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Here’s our process.

Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:

• Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
• Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
• Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

Don’t fret about butt sweat — it happens to everyone. To stay drier and help prevent rashes, choose underwear in cotton or moisture-wicking fabrics, stand up often to let your backside breathe, and dust your rear with some body powder.

Swamp crack. Sweaty bum. Butt sweat. Whatever you call it, just 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.

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, which secrete an odorless mixture of water and salt to cool your skin and lower your body temperature
• apocrine glands, which 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.

Butt sweat results from 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

Then there’s the whole tight-space-between-the-crack situation. Sweat loves to collect in skin folds — and that’s basically what your butt crack is.

You’ve got two fleshy buttocks pressed together, which already 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.

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 sweat-free.

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 it comes to exercising or any other physically demanding activity, opt for moisture-wicking underwear designed to keep moisture from accumulating on your skin.

And 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 down there. 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 has to accumulate.

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. Make sure you aren’t rubbing or scrubbing, which can cause more irritation.

Stand up every chance you get

Sitting for long periods of time gives sweat the perfect chance 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.

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 suggests that talcum powder may be

Or 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:

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 they can help to minimize the appearance of wetness.

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

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.

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 heavy 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.

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.

Everyone sweats. But for some people, 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 mostly while you sleep (night sweats)
• sweating that is accompanied by chest pain or pressure
• sweating that occurs with a fever, shortness of breath, fast heart rate, and 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
• warmth
• swelling
• pain

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.