Ingrown hair (or folliculitis) is a hair that didn’t growout of the skin completely or one that is grown back into the skin. It is alsoknown as razor burn or bumps, shaving bumps and Psuedofolliculitis Barbae(PFB). This condition usually causes infection and irritation of the skin,which can be seen as the bump or simply hurt when you touch it. Some 40% ofyoung people (aging 18 to 25) have experienced some similar problems, mainlybecause of waxing or curly hair. The condition is not limited to happen only towomen, since men could also suffer from ingrown hair.
Why Does Ingrown Hair Happen
The most common causes of ingrown hair are removing of thehairs, by shaving or waxing, or curling of the growing hair. Shaving andincorrect waxing can cut the hair diagonally, leaving a sharp edge andprovoking ingrown hair. Infections of ingrown hair are mostly caused by bacteriaor fungus. Mild cases need no medical help, but serious infections have tobe treated and looked after by a doctor.
Wearing tight clothes is also known to cause ingrown hair. Sometimesusing a hot tub or swimming pool that hasn’t been chlorinated sufficiently couldalso provoke folliculitis. It can happen if you are using substances that couldblock the hair follicles, or if the cut on your skin gets infected by somefungus or bacteria.
Although everyone could experience ingrown hair, some peopleare more likely to suffer from this condition. People who have acne or someother skin problems, overweight people and those who are using corticosteroids orantibiotics will probably have more ingrown hairs than the rest of thepopulation. Living in hot and warm climate may also be the cause of folliculitis.
What to Do with Ingrown Hair
First of all prevent the situation, if you can. Use a newrazor every time you shave and clean towel every time you shower or bath. Wash yourselfwith anti-bacterial soap and avoid tight clothes.
When you already experience pain and bumps from an ingrownhair, don’t worry. Most infection will clear on their own in a day or two. If thatdoesn’t happen, or the infection is really bad consult your doctor. He/shemight prescribe antibiotics (tablets or cream) or antifungal tablets, dependingon a cause of infection.
Do not squeeze the infected ingrown hair, and don’t pick thepimple, because it may worsen the condition. Sometimes, after you disinfectedthe area, it might be helpful to you use a cloth dipped in hot water and pressit to the bump. When the hair is on the surface of the skin, you can use sometweezers and pull it out.