Over-the-counter (OTC) medications containing benzoyl peroxide or retinoids can reduce inflammation and decrease the size of razor bumps or ingrown hair cysts. Prescription acne medications might be needed if OTC methods don't work for razor bumps or ingrown hair cysts.
Gently wash and exfoliate around the ingrown hair to help the hair return to the surface of the skin. If that doesn't work, your doctor might prescribe a drug that can help dead skin cells slough off more quickly.
Using a warm washcloth or soft toothbrush
Hairs that have grown back into the follicle can be gently coaxed out using a warm washcloth and soft toothbrush. After soaking a washcloth in warm water, apply it to the ingrown hair to warm and relax the pores and follicles.
“Just like you might with a deep or painful pimple, use a warm compress to help soften the skin and bring the infection closer to the surface,” says Dr. Yadav. “Then cleanse the area and use a sterile pointed tweezer to carefully expose the hair and remove it.
A dab of antibiotic ointment (like Neosporin) can also help. But if redness forms around the ingrown hair or it starts to ooze with pus and becomes tender, visit your dermatologist, stat.
Apply warm compresses to the cyst for 10–15 minutes several times a day. These might bring the cyst closer to the surface, allowing it to drain. If the hair is trapped under the skin, warm compresses may help it grow out. Apply an antiseptic solution, such as tea tree oil, to the cyst to prevent infection.
An ingrown hair occurs when the hair grows back into the skin instead of upwards in a normal hair growth pattern. This may cause a cyst to build up with fluid over time. You can always tell because they will look like a pimple.
Ingrown hair cysts occur when a hair follicle gets blocked and the hair grows into your skin instead of outward. You should never pop an ingrown hair cyst because it can cause infection and scarring. They may go away on their own, but if they hurt, become red, or ooze pus, see a healthcare provider.
Ingrown hairs are hairs that have curled round and grown back into the skin. They produce raised red spots which can sometimes become infected. Ingrown hairs often go away on their own without doing anything. See your GP if the spots don't improve and are bothering you.
Topical antibiotic ointments, such as Neosporin or generic neomycin, bacitracin, and polymyxin b triple antibiotic ointment, may help scalp folliculitis heal up faster. Apply the ointment to the affected area a few times daily.
Ingrown hairs can look like raised, red, itchy spots on the skin. Sometimes you can see a hair trapped under the skin. You may be more likely to get ingrown hairs if you have coarse or curly hair. Infected ingrown hairs can be painful.
Most of the time, this kind of folliculitis goes away on its own in 7 to 10 days.
Resist the temptation to squeeze or pop a folliculitis boil. While you might manage to express the pus and other infected fluid, you also run the risk of pushing those toxins more deeply into the skin, to the point that they may enter your bloodstream. Instead, let your dermatologist diagnose and treat the problem.
Hydrogen Peroxide
It works just as well for folliculitis. The chemical mix will immediately kill off bacteria and fungus, and the excess can be wiped off with disposable towels. You can repeat applications of hydrogen peroxide.
Avoid shaving or hair removal from the irritated area till the folliculitis subsides. Indications for antibiotic treatment in folliculitis include: Persistence of folliculitis after two or three days.
However, folliculitis can result in painful skin inflammation, sores, and pimple-like bumps. It is often the result of improper shaving technique, poor hygiene, and wearing tight clothing. Avoiding these practices can help prevent folliculitis.
- Apple Cider Vinegar known as an antimicrobial agent can also be used to manage the problem. Mix 1 tablespoon of ACV with ½ a cup of water. Dip cotton balls in the mixture and apply onto the affected areas for twenty mins, repeat twice a day.
If you can see an ingrown hair beneath the skin, apply a warm, damp compress for a couple of minutes to soften the skin, says Rodney Basler, MD. Then sterilize a needle or tweezers and pluck the hair. Follow with an antiseptic such as hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol.
If your ingrown hair(s) looks more like acne, with lots of redness and potentially puss, your doctor might also suggest using a product with benzoyl peroxide to help resolve the issue.
There's a chance an ingrown hair could heal on its own in as quickly as a week or two, Dr. Hayag says, but it may take longer if it gets infected. Sometimes it takes around a month, according to the Mayo Clinic, but it can take up to six months for hairs that are really stuck in there.
A common skin condition, folliculitis happens when a hair follicle becomes infected or inflamed. This condition may look like acne, often starting out as small red bumps. You can have folliculitis on your face, arms, back and legs.