Bumps and pimples on thighs or inner thighs can make walking, running and swimming uncomfortable.
They can appear as white pimple-like bumps on the inside of your things and break into a rash towards buttocks.
They can also be a single whitehead spots between thighs. But what causes them?
Sweat, tight jeans, STDs, bikini waxing and shaving, pregnancy hormones and chafing thighs are some of the causes. Here’s more on causes, treatments and how to get rid of these zits, spots and bumps fast.
Causes
The inner thighs are a sensitive area. If you have put on weight, chances are that there is rubbing between your thighs.
This kind of friction causes chafing between upper thighs. Symptoms may include red and white spots, dark inner thighs, hard bumps and even a rash of white spots on thighs and buttocks.
While these causes are obvious, you could also be having an STD, or another disease.
1. Shaving or razor bumps
Small, itchy bumps on your inner thighs are more likely to be a sign of razor bumps. Razor bumps develop from razor burn.
- Due to poor shaving techniques and waxing bikinis, most people end up with thigh bumps from shaving, which are actually, shave bumps.
- Bikini bumps can be itchy and if on the sensitive skin around buttocks and upper inner thighs and legs, they will hurt when you walk.
Also, if you wear tight clothing, the pimples and ingrown hair boils can easily bleed from the friction.
So, if you get these, treat razor burn fast to prevent pus-filled bumps from forming near the crotch or groin.
2. Thighs rubbing together
Thigh chafing, described as skin rubbing together is common in people who are overweight. It occurs when running, swimming or generally during exercise activity.
Symptoms of chafing on thighs include red skin, a burning sensation or irritation on inner thighs, and flaky little bumps.
Dark inner thighs may also present as a sign.
Pimples, zits, bumps and boils on inner thighs can be worsened by thighs rubbing together. They can bleed, become pink or red and will hurt a lot. This will make walking really uncomfortable since you will have painful pimples on the skin.
3. STD and herpes (HPV)
One of the most common signs of an STD in the genital area is sores, warts and pimples. Genital warts from HPV are commonly confused for bumps, but they are different. They can appear to be fleshy growths or lumps on the skin between thighs.
However, according to Mayo Clinic, among the few early signs of STDs such as HPV are small red bumps on thighs and groin area. These can spread towards the inside of thighs and become very itchy.
Popping zits, scratching and picking them can lead to bleeding, faster spreading and even transmitting to other people.
4. Hormonal acne
Skin breakouts are common on different parts of the body during pregnancy and also during period. These are caused by hormonal changes. For some people, hormonal levels are high during these times, including puberty.
During these times, the oily glands beneath the skin can become hyperactive. They produce excess oil, called sebum. Too much of sebum clogs the pores on your skin, causing acne breakouts at the back of thighs, inner legs and buttocks.
5. Keratosis pilaris
If you have scaly pimples or patches on the upper inner thigh skin, it could also be keratosis pilaris. This is a common skin condition that leaves acne-like zits and bumps or rough patches on the skin.
According to Mayo Clinic, keratosis pilaris is common on arms, buttocks, upper legs or thighs. Symptoms include:
- Non-itchy pimples or bumps on skin
- Small white spots that appear as whiteheads
- When irritated and inflamed, they can become red or pink
- Dry and rough skin that may appear as patches
White pimples on your thighs can worsen in winter because the humidity is low. As the skin dries more, the symptoms become more apparent.
6. Sweat pimples
Sweat pimples and bumps commonly appear on the upper inner thighs, around the buttocks and groin area. Most people report getting itchy zits on back of thighs, buttocks and groin area after exercise.
But does sweat cause them?
- Bacteria thrive fast where there is sweat.
- This encourages conditions such as folliculitis, inflammation and infected thigh pimples.
- Fungal infections can also result from this and lead to such symptoms.
Heat rash and sweat bumps are common in hot, humid conditions. For people who wear jeans, the problem is even more serious since jeans are not breathable.
The blockage of sweat pores causes the accumulation of sweat in ducts and pores around the back of thighs, buttocks and legs, causing sweat bumps or pimple breakouts.
7. Heat rash
Thrifty Fun and BoldSky list tight jeans as a cause of thigh pimples and rashes. If you are a fan of skinny (tight) jeans, you can easily get blackheads, pimples and acne on thighs.
The reason is that tight clothing causes irritation to the hair follicles in the buttock region. This will result to pimples on bum, legs and even around the stomach or waist.
8. Acne breakouts
If you have an acne prone skin, you are more likely to get breakouts on thighs too.
While acne is common on the face and the back, it can also form zits on inner thighs, scrotum and bum area. Thigh pimples and acne are common in teenagers.
Both females and males can get it around the bikinis. For men, pimples on the scrotum and white spots on testicles may be part of the symptoms.
Dermatologists say that excessive production of sebum is the reason behind thigh acne, whiteheads and blackheads.
9. Cystic pimples
A large pimple on the inner thigh could be cystic acne. According to WebMD, cystic acne affects people from the age of 8 all the way to 50 years. These breakouts appear to be large, red breakouts on the skin. They are not common on thighs, but they can occur in severe cases.
- Large and painful pimples on the groin area caused by cystic acne are red, deep-lying lumps and breakouts.
- While most lumps and bumps can clear on their own after while, cystic breakouts don’t go away easily.
- They can recur or linger for years.
- They also affect a large area, hence can leave scars on thighs after you heal or get rid of them.
11. Jock itch or fungal infection
Jock itch is a male fungal infection. Its symptoms include itching in the groin area up to the thighs and near buttocks or anal region.
A rash of bumps form on the skin as the fungal infection spreads. While the little rashes from jock itch occur mostly in men, jock itch can also affect women. However, it is not a sexually transmitted disease as most people believe.
12. Weight gain
Weight is one of the major causes of pimples in the inner thigh region for females and even males.
When your thighs rub together, the friction can easily cause a rough skin and bumps.
With time, the skin between your thighs becomes dark, and may have scars. These can be embarrassing especially if you wear bikinis for your holidays.
Here are a few tips to help you tone your thighs and prevent bumps, chafing and flaking between your thighs. (See the end for links to illustrations)
- Crossack squats help lose weight on the inner thighs. They will help you tone the glutes and slim your thighs from all angles.
- Sumo squats or plie squats also help lose excess fat in the inner thigh region. They will also help shape your butt, which is a plus.
- Lower stance squats and squatting with a ball between your thighs can really help not only strengthen your inner thigh muscle but create the thigh gap that will help prevent chafing and thigh pimples and bumps.
Pimples that won’t pop
Pimples and bumps that won’t pop are hard and lie deep in the skin. These are usually very painful when you try to squeeze them.
If you have zits that won’t pop on your inner thighs and buttocks, it is best to allow them time to heal on their own.
- Avoid attempting to pick at the bumps.
- Do not try to poke with a needle or squeeze them.
Deeply lying bumps are caused by cystic acne. They take time to heal and get inflamed easily when you try to pop them.
If disturbed, they won’t go away and can keep spreading under the skin. While some of the big pimples on your inner thighs may be acne, some may actually be sebaceous cysts.
How to get rid of pimples on inner thighs
You can remove pimples on the inside of thighs but the treatment will depend on what caused them.
Home remedies for pimples and bumps include the use of turmeric, salicylic acid, tea tree oil, aloe vera and simply keeping the skin clean and dry. Here are a few ways to get rid of inner thigh bumps naturally.
Lemon remedy
Lemons are rich in vitamin C and will help your pimples dry up fast. It is advised that you use fresh lemons as opposed to bottled products because the preservatives can irritate the sensitive skin between thighs. Here’s how to apply lemon to cure acne and pimple bumps on your thighs.
- Make a few cotton swabs by tearing them from the main ball into small sizes.
- Squeeze some fresh lemons into a bowl.
- Dip the cotton balls into the lemon juice.
- Apply onto the pimples and allow to stay overnight.
- Clean the area with lukewarm water.
Lemons not only get rid of pimples but also help with natural skin lightening, just in case you get scars and darkened inner thighs.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is one of the best natural treatments for acne. It contains anti-bacterial properties. This makes it a good remedy for razor bumps and folliculitis in the groin area.
It can also soothe the irritation from razor burn to get rid of the redness in the bikini area. Here’s how to apply this home remedy.
- Dilute a little tea tree oil in a bowl or glass.
- Dip a clean cotton ball into the dilute essential oil.
- Dab on the zits on thighs and groin. Leave it on and clean after about 20 minutes.
You can also combine tea tree oil with aloe vera gel to make a more potent treatment for acne on the upper thighs, legs and bum.
Do NOT use tea tree oil if you have a sensitive skin.
Bathe after exercise
One of the best ways to get rid of thigh pimples and bumps and acne is bathing immediately after your exercise. This will prevent the accumulation of sweat on the skin in the area on upper legs and below the waist. If you have had the lumps before, you are likely to get them again.
A quick shower with mild soap will help cleanse the sweat and accumulation of bacteria on your upper legs. Dry your skin well before wearing underwear.
You can pat dry the groin and bikini area. Even so, allow a few minutes of air to run on your skin before wearing undergarments to prevent moisture that can attract bacterial and fungal infections that cause bumps and zits on thighs.
Topical treatments and creams
If caused by keratosis pilaris, Dr. Joshua L. Fox, MD, a Long Island dermatologic surgeon says that the pimples between thighs can be treated using topical treatment. For the most part, topical cream treatments are meant to improve the appearance of the symptoms and get rid of the pimples on inner thighs.
Hydrocortisone cream
Little pimples that hurt on thighs are a sign of irritation. The inflammation usually comes from accumulation of sweat, poor aeration and friction. Hydrocortisone is an over-the-counter treatment that is used to soothe the itchy bumps.
OTC Anti-fungal cream
Anti-fungal medications, both topical and oral can help get rid of jock itch bumps and rash of pimples on thighs. Anti-fungal cream are the most common ways to treat red bumps on thighs although the time it takes to heal jock itch depends on hygiene how you will keep the skin between your thighs dry and aerated.
