Ingrown Hair Infection

If you are here to know more about Ingrown Hair Infection then read on.This article explains "how to treat ingrown hairs infection" with some easy home remedies and prevention so that it will not happen in the future.An ingrown hair is basically a benign dermatological condition which is characterized by scattered and pinpoint red or tan spot and is seen commonly after puberty. It generally occurs on areas that are often shaved like armpits, public region, arms, legs, face etc. and are disfiguring and ugly. Ingrown hairs can get infected which results in inflammation of the skin, redness and irritation.

One of the easily identifiable characteristics of ingrown hair infection is the appearance of small and tiny red bumps around the affected region. Apart from redness, the person may also develop swelling and pus formation in the more advanced stages. There can also be itching, pain or mild bleeding in some cases. Most often, ingrown hairs are benign and not infectious. But infection can set in if left unattended in which case, treatment will be required. Infected hairs can lead to ugly scars if prompt and appropriate treatment is not taken.

This condition generally occurs as a result of improper shaving but can also happen due to waxing, tight clothing or aggressive hair removal methods. The common skin bacteria can attack these red or pink bumps which if not attended to can lead to pustules and abscesses. Razor bumps or pseudofolliculitis barbae is a type of ingrown hair and usually appears on the face and neck due to repeated shaving. Ingrown hair infection can occur in some cases due to the presence of the skin bacteria.

Home remedies

Though there are no specific home remedies for treating ingrown hair infection, there are some preventive measures that one can take to prevent the appearance of these. The first method is to hydrate the skin well before shaving which reduces the chance for hair to re-enter the skin sideways. Use natural and mild exfoliation agents like sugar or salt to ease the irritation and redness that accompanies infected hair. Also avoid shaving too close to the skin. Most often, an ingrown hair will dislodge and fall off on its own but sometimes, it can get so tough to get rid of it leading to infection and scarring.

Treatment methods

Some of the treatment methods available for removal of ingrown hairs include topical creams, chemical depilatories and medical removal procedures. If infected, topical antibiotics are suggested to bring down the infection, irritation, pain and swelling. It is best to consult a dermatologist who can chart the right course of treatment for the condition. Topical antibiotics that are usually prescribed include erythromycin and clindamycin. Benzoyl peroxide can also be applied as it has an antibacterial action and helps to relieve the symptoms.
In some cases, oral antibiotics are prescribed like cephalexin or tetracycline especially if the infected bumps have become pustules or abscesses. Antibacterial washing products like Proactiv, Clearasil, chlorhexidine can be used to clean the area which helps immensely in the control of infection. Electrolysis is a method by which ingrown hairs can be removed but if ingrown hair infection is present, then this is not recommended. The infection will have to be cleared first and then electrolysis carried out for effective results.
 

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