Suffering From Boat Butt?
Cruising through the Keys in 2021, 7 months pregnant, and trying my hardest to find a comfortable place to rest my bum.
Boat Butt
Boat Butt is that annoying rash that seems to appear on your backside after a day out on the water or a particularly bumpy dinghy ride to shore and back. It sounds like a funny word but it’s far from funny if you’ve ever experienced it. It’s annoying and itchy and can make sitting a bit uncomfortable. So what causes boat butt and how can we make it go away?
What Causes Boat Butt?
There are two main culprits at work here when it comes to the causes of a rash on your backside. It’s usually either chafing or a fungal infection irritating your poor bum. If you are unsure which problem may be the culprit, try treating for chafe first. If the rash persists or continues to spread after you’ve removed any friction causing items, you may have a fungal infection.
What is Chafing?
Chafe happens when skin rubs against itself, a piece of clothing, or some other surface and the friction causes a rash with pain, irritation, and redness. Many people experience chafing if they go for a run or a bike ride, and in the case of cruisers, a sail. The motion of the boat can cause your skin to rub back and forth along your seat which can lead to an uncomfortable rash. I’ve experienced boat butt often while out cruising, in particular when I was pregnant and sailing through the Florida Keys. The heat and humidity along with my growing backside(which I was now sitting on all the time because pregnancy is exhausting!) lead to a pretty uncomfortable rash situation. Wearing a dress or shorts in the summer can also lead to chafing in the thigh and butt area.
How to Prevent Chafing
There are a lot of different ways to prevent chafe from happening. Remember that moisture and sweat combined with even a minor bit of movement along the skin can create enough friction to cause a rash. Here are some things you could try:
Remove wet clothing ASAP – get out of your soaking wet bathing suit bottom or your sea-salt soaked shorts as soon as you can.
Fresh water rinse every day – pat the area dry, do not rub, and let it dry completely before putting clothing back on.
Wear properly fitting moisture-wicking clothing - make sure they fit snugly but not too tight or loose to prevent friction.
Put a layer between you and the boat – use a cushion or a pillow to sit on, wear padded sailing pants/shorts.
Try switching up the clothing you wear to minimize contact on the same area over and over again - wear men’s boxer briefs for example. This eliminates the panty line under your butt cheek which could be the culprit.
Apply a chafe cream before you start sailing. Try Chamois Butt’r (they make a version that’s pH balanced for women for the groin area) or Body Glide Stick.
Apply a moisture absorbing powder – Lady Anti-Monkey Butt is a good one or you can grab some cornstarch from the galley
Take a break if you can - try shorter watch lengths to prevent the amount of time you are continuously sitting at the helm or in the cockpit. Stand up and stretch often. If out cruising, work in a rest day to give your bottom a break from the motion of the boat.
And last but not least…
Up your water intake. If you are experiencing chafing while moving around and sweating, salt crystals on your skin can be causing irritation. Drinking more water can help prevent the salt from forming.
How to Treat Chafe
It’s important to not ignore chafing. If you continue to let the area become more and more agitated, the skin can break open and lead to an infection. If your chafe is severe enough that you have open wounds or sores, it’s best to not apply any lotions or powders until the skin has started to heal over. You’ll want to use a mild soap and lukewarm water to clean the area, not hot. Hot water can inflame and cause excessive dryness and skin cracking. Also, avoid using any products that have alcohol in them and use baby wipes with caution. Here are some other treatments you can give a go:
Shine some light on the area - get some sunshine on your tush! It can work wonders on all kinds of skin irritations but watch your time. Aim for only 15-20 minutes worth. Sunburn on top of the rash would really suck.
Sleep in loose cotton shorts with no underwear so you have nothing coming in contact with the offended area
Boudreaux’s Butt Paste – diaper rash cream with zinc that you can use for treatment. It’s kind of messy for prevention but can work for that application as well. I wish I had known about the miracle that is Boudreaux’s Butt Cream at the time I was pregnant because I would have been slathering it all over my bum. I used it this past year while in the Bahamas and overnight my rash was gone. I love Butt Paste!
Burt’s Bees Cream To Powder – can be used to treat and prevent
Aloe Vera - can help reduce inflammation and irritation
Coconut oil – helps sooth and heals chapped skin. Also has some antimicrobial properties to fight off unwanted bacteria while the area is healing. It does not stay on the skin surface for very long so coconut oil would not be a great preventative measure
Fungal Infection
Fungi are small, microscopic organisms that live literally everywhere. They are in the air, on the ground, in the water, and even on our body. Our bodies typically do a very good job of keeping those fungi in check but when conditions are right, they can multiply and grow in places they shouldn’t. This is when skin irritation and a fungal rash can occur. Fungus loves warm, moist areas and usually grows on areas of the body that are sweaty or damp and may not have a lot of airflow. The most common areas of fungal infections are the groin, feet, under the breasts, and in-between any folds of skin. A fungal rash can cause skin to be scaly, discolored, itchy and irritating. Tinea cruris, or jock itch, is a fungal infection of the groin and buttocks area. It is typically not serious and can be treated with over the counter antifungal creams or powders.
How to Prevent a Fungal Infection
Preventing a fungal infection requires some of the same precautions as above for chafing. Make sure you are keeping those areas of your body prone to infection dry and wear moisture wicking clothing if you are going to be working out or sweating. Wear loose fitting clothing when not sweating to allow for air flow and clean the area daily with mild soap and warm water to remove any potential fungus that’s trying to take hold. Get the skin area completely dry before putting on any clothing.
How to Treat a Fungal Infection
Over-the-counter (OTC) anti-fungal treatments will be your first line of therapy when it comes to treating a fungal infection. If you suspect you have a fungal infection, use the same OTC creams and sprays that are available for jock itch and athlete’s foot.
Clotrimazole – commonly sold as a generic product but can be found under the brand name Lotrimin AF.
Tolnaftate – also commonly sold as a generic. The brand name is Tinactin.
Butenafine – the brand name is Lotrimin Ultra
Terbinafine – sold under the brand name of Lamisil.
When to See a Doctor
If irritation persists, continues to spread after interventions, or looks as if it is becoming infected, seek medical attention right away. If the pain becomes severe and debilitating you’ll also want to get in to see your doctor. They will be able to prescribe stronger medications to help with inflammation like steroids, prescription anti-fungals, and potentially antibiotics if an infection has set in.
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