It usually kicks in about 20 minutes after you’ve gotten out of the pool. You’re drying off. You’re relaxing. Maybe you’re halfway through a cold drink. And then—there it is. That itch. Deep in the butt zone. Unreachable. Unignorable. Relentless.
You do the awkward one-cheek lift like you’re just “getting comfortable.” But really, your butt feels like it’s being slowly microwaved in damp fabric, and you’re already thinking about how bad it’s gonna be if you have to reach back there in public.
The uncomfortable truth is that wet swim trunks + sitting around = a full-body betrayal. That’s because your skin is reacting to stuff you probably didn’t realize was going on down there. Let’s break down what’s actually happening—and what to do about it before you start scratching like a maniac
4 Reasons Your Butt Itches After Swimming
If your butt gets itchy after swimming, one of these four culprits is probably to blame.
1. Salt or Chlorine Irritation
Pools aren’t just water—they’re full of chemicals. And the ocean? That saltwater might feel good while you’re swimming, but it’s drying your skin out. Chlorine and salt both mess with your skin barrier. That’s a fancy way of saying your skin gets stripped and irritated.
When those chemicals soak into your swim trunks and stay pressed against your skin, it’s not great. Especially on sensitive areas like your butt.
2. Trapped Moisture
Wet fabric pressed against warm skin is basically a welcome sign for bacteria and fungus. If you sit around in soggy trunks, you’re creating a perfect environment for stuff like jock itch and monkey butt.
It’s not about being dirty. It’s just biology. Your skin needs to breathe, and it can’t do that when it’s marinating in damp fabric all afternoon.
3. Dirty Pool Water
Even “clean” pools aren’t spotless. Think about how many people have been in there. Now think about what’s probably floating around in the water. Sweat, sunscreen, random debris, maybe worse. And if you sit down right after swimming, all that gunk gets pressed against your skin, especially in tight areas.
If your skin’s already irritated, that’s all it takes to push things over the edge and make your butt break out in a full-on protest.
4. Chafing
Most swim trunks aren’t soft. They’re made of synthetic material, they cling in weird places, and once they’re wet, they rub. If you’re walking around, sitting on rough pool chairs, or dealing with sand, that friction adds up.
Before you know it, you’re dealing with chafing. It starts out mild, then turns into full-blown butt burn.
How to Conquer an Itchy Butt After Taking a Dip
There’s good news: this is fixable. And even better, it’s preventable. Here’s what actually works when your butt is waving the white flag.
1. Dry Off Before Sitting Down
Take an extra 30 seconds to dry off before you plop down in your chair or hop in the car. Even better? Swap into dry shorts once you’re done swimming. Sitting in damp trunks is what starts the whole problem.
2. Shower ASAP After Swimming
Don’t let that pool water stay on your skin for hours. Hit the shower, rinse off the chlorine or salt, and use a mild soap. It doesn’t have to be fancy—just get the junk off your skin before it has time to cause problems.
3. Stay Away from Sketchy Water
If the pool smells weird, looks cloudy, or hasn’t been cleaned since last summer, maybe don’t swim in it. Same goes for random lakes and “swimming holes” that look more like mosquito farms. Your skin isn’t meant to soak in mystery water.
4. Try an Anti-Itch Cream
A basic anti-itch or antifungal cream (like hydrocortisone or something for jock itch) can help calm things down fast. Use it a couple times a day until things clear up. If it doesn’t get better in a few days, go see a doc.
Don’t Bring Dingleberries into the Pool
If you’re hopping into a pool with a half-wiped ass, you’re not just risking your own skin—you’re contaminating the water for everyone else. The CDC has literally confirmed that poop ends up in pools all the time.
You don’t want to be the reason they have to shut it down for “unscheduled maintenance.”
So before you think about diving in, do your part: clean your crack like a grown adult. DUDE Wipes make it easy—flushable, portable, and built for a proper wipe-down when toilet paper just isn’t enough. Use them at home, use them before you head to the pool, use them because you care about basic human decency.
