The best thing to put on a buttock sore depends on the type and severity, but for most minor sores, a layer of zinc oxide cream or petroleum jelly protects the area from moisture and friction while it heals. If the sore is open, cleaning it gently with saline or lukewarm water and covering it with an appropriate dressing is the priority before applying any topical product.
Identify What You’re Dealing With
Buttock sores can come from several different causes, and the right treatment varies for each. The most common culprits are pressure sores (from sitting or lying too long), folliculitis (infected hair follicles that look like small red bumps or whiteheads), contact dermatitis (a reaction to soaps, wipes, or detergents), and moisture-related irritation from sweat or prolonged dampness. Boils, abscesses, and friction blisters also show up in this area frequently.
A pressure sore in its earliest stage looks like a patch of skin that stays red even after you press on it and release. The redness doesn’t fade. On darker skin tones, this may appear as a color change that differs noticeably from the surrounding area. If the sore has progressed to an open wound with exposed pink or red tissue, or shows up as a ruptured blister, that’s a more advanced injury requiring more careful wound care. Full-thickness wounds where you can see fat, muscle, or bone need professional treatment immediately.
Barrier Creams and Ointments
For intact skin that’s irritated, red, or in the early stages of breaking down, barrier products are your first line of defense. These create a protective layer between your skin and the moisture, friction, or pressure causing the damage.
Zinc oxide cream is one of the most effective options. A study comparing zinc oxide to standard barrier creams in ICU patients found that those treated with zinc oxide had significantly better skin integrity at discharge. Zinc oxide works by forming a thick physical barrier that repels moisture while letting the skin underneath breathe. You’ll find it in diaper rash creams, which are perfectly appropriate for adult use on buttock sores.
Petroleum jelly is another reliable choice. It seals moisture into the skin to prevent drying and cracking, and it shields raw or irritated areas from contact with urine, sweat, or stool. Apply a generous layer after cleaning and drying the area. Either product can be reapplied every time you clean the sore or after using the bathroom.
Treating Open or Weeping Sores
Once a sore has broken open, simple barrier creams alone aren’t enough. The wound needs a moist healing environment, which sounds counterintuitive but is well established in wound care science. A wound that dries out and scabs over actually heals more slowly than one kept consistently moist under a proper dressing.
Hydrocolloid dressings are especially useful for buttock sores. These are adhesive pads with a gel-forming layer that absorbs fluid from the wound while keeping the surface moist. They stick well to skin (even in areas that move a lot), form a seal against outside moisture and bacteria, and can stay in place for several days. You can find them at most pharmacies, sometimes marketed as “blister bandages.” They work best on sores that produce a light to moderate amount of fluid.
For sores that are draining more heavily, foam dressings are a better fit. These contain a spongy material that pulls excess fluid away from the wound surface while still maintaining the moisture balance needed for healing. If the sore is in a spot that’s hard to keep a dressing on, medical tape designed for sensitive skin or mesh underwear can help hold things in place.
Before applying any dressing, clean the wound gently with lukewarm water or saline. Avoid hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol, which damage healthy tissue and slow healing.
Managing Pain
Buttock sores can be surprisingly painful, especially when sitting or during cleaning. Over-the-counter pain relievers taken by mouth can help, but topical options exist too. A multi-center study of 78 patients with painful wounds found that 5% lidocaine cream applied for up to 14 days provided significant pain relief with high safety and tolerability. Lidocaine creams and sprays are available over the counter in lower concentrations and can be applied around (not directly inside) a deep open wound unless directed otherwise.
A warm sitz bath can also ease discomfort while keeping the area clean. Fill a basin or bathtub with water between 94° and 98° Fahrenheit and sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Pat the area dry afterward rather than rubbing. This is particularly helpful for sores near the tailbone or between the buttocks where cleaning with a cloth is difficult.
Products and Ingredients to Avoid
What you keep away from a buttock sore matters as much as what you put on it. Many common hygiene products contain ingredients that can worsen irritation or trigger allergic reactions on damaged skin.
Wet wipes are a frequent offender. Some contain methylisothiazolinone, a preservative with strong skin-sensitizing potential that has been linked to contact dermatitis, particularly in the diaper area. Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives and phenoxyethanol have also been flagged as potential irritants in leave-on products. If you use wipes, look for versions free of fragrance and these preservatives, or switch to a soft cloth with plain water.
Fragranced soaps, bubble baths, and scented laundry detergent on underwear can all aggravate a sore. Alcohol-based sanitizing wipes or sprays will cause stinging and tissue damage on broken skin. Talcum powder or cornstarch may seem like they’d help keep the area dry, but they can cake in a wound and create a breeding ground for bacteria.
Preventing the Sore From Getting Worse
If your sore is related to pressure from sitting or lying in one position, repositioning is essential. Clinical guidelines recommend changing position at least every 4 to 6 hours, depending on your risk level. Every 4 hours if you’re at high risk, every 6 hours at moderate risk. If you’re in a wheelchair, shift your weight every 15 to 30 minutes. A cushion designed to redistribute pressure, such as a memory foam or air-filled seat pad, can take strain off the affected area.
Keep the skin clean and dry between dressing changes. Moisture from sweat, urine, or stool breaks down skin rapidly, especially skin that’s already compromised. After cleaning, let the area air-dry briefly before applying your barrier cream or dressing. Wearing breathable cotton underwear helps reduce trapped moisture throughout the day.
Nutrition also plays a direct role in healing. Skin repair requires adequate protein, calories, vitamins (particularly vitamin C and zinc), and hydration. If you’ve been eating poorly or not drinking enough fluids, your sore will take longer to heal regardless of what you put on it.
Signs the Sore Needs Medical Attention
Most minor buttock sores improve within a week or two with proper home care. But certain changes signal an infection or a problem that needs professional treatment. Watch for skin around the sore that becomes increasingly red, swollen, warm, and painful to the touch. These are hallmark signs of cellulitis, a bacterial skin infection that can spread quickly. Red streaks radiating outward from the sore are especially concerning.
Fever, chills, pus or foul-smelling drainage, and a sore that’s getting larger despite good care all warrant prompt medical evaluation. Any wound where you can see fat, muscle, or bone, or one that has dark black or brown tissue in it, is beyond home treatment and needs a healthcare provider’s involvement to heal safely.