Pimples usually occurs when excess sebum oil is produced, thereby clogging skin pores and providing a site where bacteria and dead skin cells build up. This can form on any part of the skin. In case the pimples occur between your thighs, you may find it difficult to walk, swim or run. They can appear as white pimple-like bumps on inner thighs spreading into a rash towards buttocks or just single whitehead spots between thighs.
Sweat, tight jeans, STDs, bikini waxing and shaving, pregnancy hormones and chafing thighs are just but a few of the causes. Here’s more on causes, treatments and how to get rid of thigh pimples, zits, spots and bumps fast.
Pimple on Thigh Causes
Thighs are generally 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 pimples on thighs and buttocks.
While these causes are obvious, you could also be having an STD, or another disease. Here are the causes in detail:
Sweating
Excessive sweating can lead to pimples in various parts of your body. Sweat is produced by sweat glands in the skin as one way to cool down the body when it gets too hot. If you live in a very hot area, you may experience a lot of sweating. This can get even worse if you wear very tight clothing. The excess sweat can clog skin pores and lead to heat rashes and pimple on thigh.
Folliculitis
Folliculitis is an infection of the hair follicles (roots), which is usually caused by bacteria. It presents with red pimples that may be itchy or painful and contains pus, and it can affect your thighs also. Folliculitis can be treated with an antibiotic cream or ointment.
Malfunctioning Sebaceous Glands
In normal cases, sebaceous glands located close to the skin surface produce sebum, an oily substance that prevents the skin from drying. But when the sebaceous glands malfunction, they may produce excess sebum. This can cause clogging of the skin pores, giving bacteria and dead skin cells a place to collect forming pimple on thigh.
When this goes on for some time, more sebaceous glands are affected, leading to the formation of blackheads. These pimples between thighs can be treated using 0.5-2 percent salicylic acid skin creams or 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide cream. Retinol cream synthesized from vitamin A may also be used.
Skin Creams
Use of oil-based moisturizers on healthy skin can cause clogging of skin pores and eventually result in pimples formation. It is always advisable to use water-based moisturizers which are unlikely to clog skin pores.
Hormonal Changes
Pimples are most common during puberty as well as menstruation and pregnancy. Hormonal changes during those phases make oily glands hyperactive, which lead to clogging of the pores and formation of pimple on thighs.
Shaving
Poor shaving mechanisms can cause many tiny itchy bumps hence, some may grow into boils. When these occur on the more sensitive areas of the skin such as the crotch, it may hurt when you walk due to friction. The best way is to treat them as soon as they appear to prevent them from filling up with pus. You can also prevent pimples by applying moisturizing lotion or anti-inflammatory cream after shaving.
Friction between Thighs
When thighs rub against one another, friction may cause skin irritation on the inner thighs. This can lead to heat rash and clogging of skin pores, causing pimples between thighs. This type of pimples may itch and produce a prickling feeling.
Keep the affected area clean by washing with an antibacterial soap and clean water. Shedding some body weight can also help because there will be less friction between your thighs. You should also avoid tight clothing. If the pimples are too itchy or painful, apply a warm compress.
STDs
Some STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) such as herpes and syphilis can present with pimples in the groin and thighs. Additional symptoms of these infections are fever, headaches, tiredness and blisters. STDs are treated by taking the recommended medications for the specific infection. The pimples will usually clear off after taking medication.
Jock Itch
Jock itch is a fungal infection that mainly affects males and presents with itchy pimples in the groin that may spread to inner thighs, the anus and the buttocks. To treat it, clean the affected area using soap and water, and then apply an anti-fungal cream. Make sure you apply the cream a little beyond the affected area to prevent spread of the infection. See a doctor if the infection does not clear after using the treatment for one week.
Thigh zits and bumps during pregnancy and period
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 and pimples to breakout at the back of thighs, inner legs and buttocks.
Keratosis pilaris acne bumps on upper thighs
If you have scaly pimples or patches on the inner thigh skin, it could be keratosis pilaris. This is a common skin condition that leaves acne-like pimple on thigh 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 bumps 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.
Jeans or tight clothing and heat rash
Thrifty Fun and Bold Sky list tight jeans as a cause of thigh pimples and rashes. If you are a fan of skinny jeans, you can easily get blackheads, pimples and acne on thighs. The reason is that tight clothing causes irritation to the hair follicles in buttock region. This will result to pimples on bum, legs and even around the stomach or waist.
Acne zits or acne breakouts
If you have an acne prone skin, you are more likely to develop breakouts on thighs too. While acne is common on the face and the back, it can also form bumps on inner thighs, scrotum and bum area. Thigh pimples and acne are common in teenagers.
Both females and males can get it around their 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 for pimple on thigh, whiteheads and blackheads.
Large cystic pimples on inner thighs
A large pimple on inner thigh could be cystic acne. According to research finding, 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.
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 a while, cystic breakouts don’t go away easily. They can recur or exist for years. They also affect a large area; hence can leave scars on thighs after you get rid of them.
Pimple on Inner Thigh
Weight is one of the major causes of pimples in the inner thigh areas. 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 or while swimming. Here are a few tips to help you tone your pimple on thighs and prevent bumps, chafing and flaking between your thighs.
- Crossack squatshelp lose weight on the inner thighs. They will help you tone the gluts and slim your thighs from all angles.
- Sumo squatsor 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 squatsand squatting with a ball between your thighs can also help not only strengthen your inner thigh muscle but create the thigh gap that will help prevent chafing and thigh pimples and bumps.
Pimple on Outer Thigh
Even if they don’t itch or hurt, mysterious red bumps on your skin can be worrisome. Because red bumps can appear on your outer thighs for a variety of reasons, though, it’s important to determine the cause before you attempt to treat them. Depending on the cause of your pimple on thighs, you may be able to eliminate or reduce them with an appropriate at-home skin care routine. More serious cases may require help from your health care professional.
Folliculitis, or inflamed hair follicles, can form on your thighs due to improper shaving, infection or irritation from clothing. This condition causes red, acne-like pimples, typically with a hair in the center. Keratosis pilaris occurs when skin cells build up for unknown reasons. The result is many small skin bumps, similar to pimples or goose bumps, which may turn red if they may be inflamed.
Dry skin is also common with such condition. Cholinergic urticaria causes itchy pimples after exercise, sweating or exposure to heat or hot water. These hives may be as small as mosquito bites, but may also appear as large pimples.
Pimple on Thigh STD
Pimples, sores and warts are common signs of STDs if they occur in your genital area. HPV-related genital warts may be mistaken for common bumps and pimples, but they are not the same. They may appear as fleshy lumps or growths on your skin, between your thighs as well.
Small red bumps in the groin and thigh area can also be early signs of STDs like HPV, according to the Mayo Clinic research finding. These may be itchy, and they often spread toward the inside area of your thighs. Popping, picking or scratching these pimples can lead to bleeding, spreading more quickly, and even being transmitted to other people.
Boil on Thigh
An abscess may be caused by the staph aurous bacteria that infiltrate the skin leading to pain, skin swelling, redness and cysts on inner part of the thigh. The main treatment for abscesses and boils on inner thigh is to apply a warm compress to the affected area spot and take prescribed medication. There may be need to have it handled by the doctor. Elevating the leg can assist to reduce the swelling of the affected pimple on thighs.
Pimple on inner Thighs Female
Cyst on inner thigh can be small, big, hard or soft. When inflamed, red bumps between thighs can be painful and cause a lot of problems. A thigh cyst on inner side in women can cause bulge, bump, contusion, or swollen area on the thigh.
Cyst might be brought by any number of the conditions, including the infections, inflammation, hormonal changes as well as trauma in women. Here are the causes of cyst on inner thighs:
Sebaceous Cyst on inner Thighs
These are the growths that have fluid, or any other substances. They then develop under the skin in any part of the body. Sebaceous cysts feel like a small ball and may then be moved around slightly.
Warts on Inner Thighs
Usually caused by viruses, warts normally infiltrate the skin leading to the cyst on the inner thighs. The main symptoms are the dry red bumps on upper inner thighs that may feel scaly.
It is possible for warts to move from one area to others in the body; if they are much exposed. Warts that are high on the inner thigh can also be the genital warts. All warts can be dry and scaly, and some can be swollen or painful.
Chafing Thighs and Inner Thigh cyst
Friction during running can occur when the thighs rub. The friction then leads to in irritation of your skin especially on the inner thighs, causing cyst on inner thighs. The irritation may lead to a heat rash known as miliara. The best treatment that is highly recommended for the friction cyst on the inner thighs is to wash the place gently using water and then allow it to dry fully.
Then put on something that is greasy like the petroleum jelly. If the area is very swollen, crusted over or even bleeding, the doctor can recommend a type of medicated ointment that is able to heal the cyst. Rest as much as you can so that you don’t rub the thighs together much.
Blood Clot Swelling on Inner Thighs
A common cause for cyst on inner thigh is hidradentis suppurativa. Lesions that are stemming from the disease often break open and then leak pus, which can cause an unpleasant odor.
These are brought about by the blood clot and the dead skin cells that are blocking the hair follicles that may be on the legs that then become much infected with bacteria. Some other conditions, including genetics, or smoking may add to the likelihood that you can develop this condition.
Cyst on Thighs
This comes about when the bacteria disturb the hair follicles, leading them to be inflamed. It may also lead to the painful, itchy boils that are developing on the area. Folliculitis can be brought about by a number of several types of the bacteria that will influence the severity of the condition and also the chances of scarring.
Cancer and cysts that Keep Getting Bigger
If the cyst on the thigh appears to be coming from below the skin, it can be a tumor. A normal cyst that is due to injury or even a body growth shrinks or goes away in very few days. If the cyst on inner thigh are from the tumors and are not in any way treated, this might lead to a life-threatening situation. Tumors may spread easily if they come close to the bone or to blood vessels.
Acne cysts between Thighs
Acne cysts start as a red swollen area of the skin and then develop into a larger, pus-filled pustule. These areas may itch in the beginning and also become very painful as the pimples fill with the pus. Pustules may then form and also appear with a white or yellow center. Boils are normally pea-sized but may be as large as the golf ball, usually growing at a very rapid pace.
Pimple on Thigh Treatment
Pimples located on the thighs can be treated, but the proper treatment depends on what originally caused the bumps. Home remedies used for thigh bumps and pimples include keeping the area dry and clean, and using aloe Vera, tea tree oil, salicylic acid or turmeric.
Here are several ways to help you get rid of thigh pimples naturally:
Bathe immediately after you exercise
Showering or bathing after exercise prevents sweat accumulation on your skin. Even a quick shower, using mild soap, will cleanse the body of bacteria and sweat accumulation. Dry off well before you get dressed. Patting the bikini and groin area is helpful.
Tea tree oil is a natural thigh pimple treatment
Tea tree oil is great for acne. It is an antibacterial, which makes it helpful for folliculitis and razor bumps in your groin and thigh area. It also soothes razor burn irritation. To apply:
- Try a bit on your skin first – it may irritate sensitive skin.
- Dilute a bit of tea tree oil in a glass or bowl.
- Dip a cotton ball into this diluted oil.
- Dab the cotton ball on your groin and thighs. Leave it on for about 15-20 minutes and then rinse it off well and dry.
You can add aloe Vera to tea tree oil, too. It works well for acne on the buttocks, upper thighs and legs.
Lemon pimple remedy for bumps on thighs
Lemons are loaded with vitamin C, so they help in drying up pimples quickly. Use fresh lemons, rather than bottled products, so the preservatives won’t irritate your skin. If you have scars, lemon can help lighten them, too. Apply this way:
- Make smaller cotton balls from one regular sized ball.
- Squeeze a few lemons (fresh) into a small bowl.
- Dip your mini cotton balls in the lemon juice.
- Now apply it to your pimples.
- Leave the lemon on overnight.
- The next morning, clean the area with warm water. Pat it dry – don’t rub.
Topical creams & treatments for curing thigh bumps
Dr. Joshua L. Fox, MD, a dermatologic surgeon on Long Island, says that if the pimples on your thighs were brought on by keratosis pilaris, they are treatable with topical products. Topical creams are usually intended to improve symptom appearance and get rid of those inner thigh pimples.
Over the counter anti-fungal creams
Oral and topical medications with anti-fungal properties are helpful in getting rid of bumps and rashes from jock itch. The most common treatments are anti-fungal creams. If you can keep the skin in the groin and thigh area clean and dry, it will heal more quickly.
Hydrocortisone creams for razor burn and bumps
Small and painful thigh pimples mean that the skin is irritated. Friction, poor air exposure and sweat accumulation usually cause this type of inflammation. A helpful over the counter remedy is hydrocortisone cream. It works well to soothe the itchiness brought on by these bumps.