Ingrown hair... down there

[DarlingNikki]

Hello all,

I don't know where else to turn and thought since shaving is so popular here, someone might have been in my shoes... and if you have, I'm sorry... anyway, I have an ingrown hair on my outer labia. That mofo has been there for months. I've already been to the clinic, and have been gratefully informed that it's an ingrown hair and not herpes or something else. The thing will not heal. It will go into remission and I'll get my hopes up, but after a few days or a week it will start acting up again. It's very uncomfortable and is in a really lousy spot. The doctor I saw said there really isn't anything that can be done for it.

But... is that true? Any folk remedies? Unorthodox methods? I'm desperate here. Any help would be much appreciated...

 

[SweetErika]

I don't believe I've had one, but from what I can gather, you can try the following:

-Hold a hot compress on it for ten minutes, 3+ times a day in an effort to soften and help it work its way out.

-If you have an ingrown hair, try exfoliating (removing dead skin cells with a loofah), sterilizing a pointed pair of tweezers with rubbing alcohol, and attempting to pluck out the ingrown hair. (From here )

-Different washes, lotions, and dipilitories, depending on your skin type. Also, stop shaving the area if you haven't already. Details on all of this from dermatologists can be found here.

-Electrolysis and having a doctor remove it with the point of a needle or scalpel are also possibilities.

-Ask a doctor or pharmacist, but I'd imagine it's very important to keep it clean, dry, and you can use things like hydrocortisone cream and cream/spray that contains a numbing agent like benzocaine for the swelling and pain. Both are OTC, but stronger steroid creams are available by prescription.

But, yes, there obviously are lots of treatments, and I'd consult another doctor or see a dermatologist if I were you (maybe after trying some of these things though if cost is a concern) because there's no reason to suffer.

 

[LadyJeanne]

Doctors are such shit sometimes.

From Google search on Ingrown Hair Treatment:

- For ingrown pubic hairs along the bikini line, hold a hot compress against ingrown spots for ten minutes three times a day to soften the skin and help the hairs work their way out.

- Wear loose-fitting underwear and clothing until the bumps are gone to avoid friction.

It may also be possible to pluck the hair, but you're going to have to be very careful if you try this:

- If you have an ingrown hair, try exfoliating (removing dead skin cells with a loofah), sterilizing a pointed pair of tweezers with rubbing alcohol, and attempting to pluck out the ingrown hair.

 

[Kpooh]

Have had a few of them, & have stopped shaving & only trim there because of them (actually, mine have been known to turn into boils!)

There is very good advice above though, apply hot towels as much as possible, it not only helps it to work its way out, but it will make it less painful for a little while too. Soaking in a tub of hot water works great!

You can also purchase a salve called 'bag balm' from most Wal-Mart pharmacies, it will help to keep it from getting infected, but it is pretty nasty shit!

And most importantly, keep an eye on it & if it looks like it may be getting infected (turning into a boil) let your Dr. know ASAP, lancing hurts, but not as much as having to have it packed with antibiotic gauze every 2 days for 3-4 weeks!!! OUCH!

 

[FoxxyGypsy]

At most beauty salons they sell ingrown hair treatment though you'd have to be careful about whether it's safe for sensitive skin.

 

[warrior queen]

get an asprin tablet.
crush it to a powder.
mix with just enough hot water to make a paste.
paint it onto the affected ingrown (careful not to get it on 'good' skin!)
leave for 10 mins, then wash off (do it before you shower.)
do this morning and night.
the salicylic acid will help exfoliate the skin growing over the hair.
this works for most ingrowns, but not for ones that have been there for ages.

your doctor is a dolt - he/she should have excised that hair for you.
it's not a difficult job and should have been done there and then.

 

[Sybarist]

your doctor is a dolt - he/she should have excised that hair for you.
it's not a difficult job and should have been done there and then.

I was gonna say....

When I was in university a friend of mine went to the clinic because she thought her boyfriend had given her some STD, but it turned out it was just a nasty infected ingrown hair. She was treated and given the same advice about hot compresses as SweetErika and LadyJeanne have given along with some tips about more "appropriate undergarments for sitting in class all day" and sent on her merry way.

As far as I know (not that I asked, but I feel she would have shared) she never had further problems.

Ouch, what a pain this must be for you DN!!!

Maybe you could just keep that one hair trimmed or something so that you don't have to keep putting up with it over and over again? Having someone else to do the trimming/shaving/shaping thing for you can be fun.......

Hope it gets better soon!
Syb.

 

[canuckchick]

Ouch

I didnt really have anything to add, i think everyone else has covered it pretty well.

I just wanted to say "OUCH" i feel for you

 

[human_male]

I had one that turned into a small cyst on the base of my penis (I pluck it) and had to have it sergically removed. Stitches and everything.

 

[boston_bbw]

My electrologist always had me use warm water and epsom salts compress. Apparently the epsom salt draws out what ever is in there. Personally I am a "picker" type ane would also go with the sharp tweezers and fish for the culprit and pluck.

 

[DarlingNikki]

Thanks so much everyone! Man, it's a relief just to be able to talk about it and get some sympathy!!! I will try the hot compresses, but this could be tough since I'm on the road at the moment. (Mexico) I can't take any baths... I wonder if the water is even good for me at all... Maybe I'll see if I can pick up some epsom salts or asperin at the farmacia. If it's not gone by the time I get home, I'll go and have a talk with that doctor about an exorcism... I hope it doesn't turn into a boil! How will I know if that happens?

Thanks again for the responses.

 

[SweetErika]

Thanks so much everyone! Man, it's a relief just to be able to talk about it and get some sympathy!!! I will try the hot compresses, but this could be tough since I'm on the road at the moment. (Mexico) I can't take any baths... I wonder if the water is even good for me at all... Maybe I'll see if I can pick up some epsom salts or asperin at the farmacia. If it's not gone by the time I get home, I'll go and have a talk with that doctor about an exorcism... I hope it doesn't turn into a boil! How will I know if that happens?

Thanks again for the responses.

Oh, you'll know if it turns into a boil (if you're unsure, do a google image search), though the recommended self-treatment for that is also to try hot compresses and keeping it clean for a couple of days. I can't recall if it's been mentioned, but Tea Tree oil might help, especially in preventing it from getting infected, and it should be available there.

I may be wrong, but I think more things are available without a prescription in Mexico; the pharmacists are kind of the front line of medical care. Tell the pharmacist what you have (I believe it's un vello que crece hacia dentro), and s/he may be able to give you a good antibiotic cream/ointment to prevent infection and anything else you need. Asking is worth a try since you're going for aspirin and stuff anyway.

 

[TBKahuna123]

Damnit! I got an ingrown hair down there now, and I didn't even shave! It's probably from wearing compression shorts when I play hockey, but I'm gonna blame this thread for jinxing me.

BTW, I usually just use a little stridex pad and it clears up fine.

 

[naughtygirl69s]

Ack, I know how you feel, mine have turned into festering boils, the kind you squeeze and stuff shoots out of it, yeah boy that's fun. Get rid of it NOW

 

[ggoof]

alternative method

Hi DN and TBK,

looks like you have gotten some good advice. But just in case it doesn't work, try it with a sugar cube. The sugar is to be held half an inch above the "incident area" as often as possible. When the hair catches a glimpse of the sugar it will come out to get some of the sugar. Alternatively a marshmellow can be used also .

On a more serious note, you two got my sympathy. It sounds awful and really painful (for posting this I'll probably get an ingrown hair tomorrow).

gg

 

[formeremployee0]

Sympathy to you

I have had ingrown haors and the wife boils from them, get it early and it hurts less.

Bag Balm was mentioned, We use it as a diaper rash ointment when Diaper rash is SEVERE. It is a good sauve. It is used on the udders of cows from too much milking and acts as a healing/protecting agent when they are loose.

Best of luck...........

 

[DeWMuff]

Advise a Dermatologist gave me

A dermatologist friend gave me this advise.
I get them sometimes (on my face), but my wife used this on here bikini line or I did it for her.
Put a warm towel as everyone has said to soften things up.
Get a sterilized needle or sharp tipped tweezer and unembed the hair at the follicle end. If you dig at the tip it will not come out.
Carefully pull the hair freem being careful not to pluck it out (remove it).
Then just leave it alone and allow the area to heal up.
You can then shave or whatever you want. Pulling it out right away will usually cause it to regrow ingrown again. Do not dig it our, just gentally help it out. Did this once with one that ended up being over 1 inch long on my cheek. Left it alone for a few days then shaved as normal. Never returned ingrown.

 

[naughtygirl69s]

A dermatologist friend gave me this advise.
I get them sometimes (on my face), but my wife used this on here bikini line or I did it for her.
Put a warm towel as everyone has said to soften things up.
Get a sterilized needle or sharp tipped tweezer and unembed the hair at the follicle end. If you dig at the tip it will not come out.
Carefully pull the hair freem being careful not to pluck it out (remove it).
Then just leave it alone and allow the area to heal up.
You can then shave or whatever you want. Pulling it out right away will usually cause it to regrow ingrown again. Do not dig it our, just gentally help it out. Did this once with one that ended up being over 1 inch long on my cheek. Left it alone for a few days then shaved as normal. Never returned ingrown.

naw, id rather just wait until it festers into a big 'ol boil I squeeze with a chunk that come out and then it will bleed for 20 min

 

[Reba67]

I had one that was quite persistant for a while. I guess because it's all nice and warm and moist in that area, it's hard for it to heal. I used some poly sporin on the area and examined it as best I could and tried to coax out the puss. It was quite painful for the first couple of days, and after that it was just patience to get it all out. I'm, well, quite puffy down there, so I'm guessing there was lots of space for the puss to gather if that makes sense.

 

[Just_4_Giggles]

From shaving, I'll get these things from time to time due to something rubbing up against the area - namely, the elastic in underwear. Spent a lot of $$ once on pretty Victoria's Secret underwear and it was the WORST for the elastic rubbing. Boil City. Have switched exclusively to thongs and soft cotton Grandma Undies...anything in between is an ingrown hair nightmare.

Two other things have reduced the incidence: Dial Aloe antibacteria soap and Mach 3 Turbo razors - the best "down there" shaving arsenal I have found No more red dots which lead to ingrown hairs.

 

[redfunguy]

a guys view

i get them in the inside of my thigh sometimes if my jeans "grow" on me during the day and its really humid..which is a lot here in GA...i also get them on the back of my neck sometimes after i get a haircut...i guess my collar rubs it in or something
anyways...
what i ended up doing is getting a little box of alcohol swabs from the pharmacy and when i get out of the shower i just rub one on the inside of my thigh...mine is alwys in the same place....the alcohol will dry out the skin and your skin will push out the hair enough that you can get it the rest of the way out...i dont know if where you have yours is a place that women are supposed to put alcohol or not but since you are in a different country and said you couldnt take a bath thats what i would do...at least the area gets cleaned and sterilized a little

also there is a thing or whatever called foliculitis...this may apply to the folks who have talked about the boils...its actually bacteria that builds up around the hair folicule and makes it seem like its ingrown...if left alone it will fester and a clump of pus will build up and thats what pops out when you poke and squeeze it blechhh

geez i need to clear my head and go look at some porn or something after reading all of this about boils and pus and stuff

 

[Undomiel]

Yeah I often get ingrown hairs on my legs from waxing and I just pick at them till they come out. But a couple of weeks ago I managed to get an infected one on both legs. My dad had ended up in hospital for something similar that he ignored so I went to the doctor who said I had caught it early and just to bathe it in warm water and salt and also to squeeze any pus out. Oh and I also put tea tree oil on them. It was so sore I could barely walk. But its fine now. Just don't let stuff get infected, its not fun.

 

[NaiveOne]

naw, id rather just wait until it festers into a big 'ol boil I squeeze with a chunk that come out and then it will bleed for 20 min

So that's what I get! Seems like I get these once a month and it's a secret pleasure to pop all that pus out. Sick, I know.

Whew! I'm glad I'm not the only one!

 

[naughtygirl69s]

So that's what I get! Seems like I get these once a month and it's a secret pleasure to pop all that pus out. Sick, I know.

Whew! I'm glad I'm not the only one!

I think we ALL have that instinct to fiddle with festering boils. NOthing like squeezing a huge zit into the mirror, also