That Swollen Bump On Your Vulva Is Probably Just An Ingrown Hair
Have you ever found yourself dealing with an ingrown pubic hair in your nether regions? If so, you’re not alone. Ingrown pubic hairs are very common, especially for those who frequently shave down there, according to the Cleveland Clinic. And they can be both uncomfortable and irritating.
But let's rewind for one sec to clarify something: While many people refer to (and search for) this issue using language a la "ingrown hairs on the vagina," they're actually referring to the skin around the vagina, which is technically the vulva, or the outer area of your genitals. (Reminder: The vagina is the internal organ, and you don't have hair follicles in there.)
But on the vulva, ingrown hair bumps are often mistaken for something else (think: warts, boils, and even herpes). Many of her patients panic when they see ingrown hairs developing below the belt, says Alyssa Dweck, MD, a Westchester-based gynecologist.
But the truth is, ingrown hairs are just a possible side effect of shaving, and generally nothing to worry about at all. Ingrown hairs on the skin around the vagina are super easy to prevent, if you know what to do it. Here's everything you need to know about ingrown hairs in your nether region—from the possible causes, best treatment tips, and more.
Meet the experts: Alyssa Dweck is an ob-gyn and the chief medical officer of Bonafide. Jeffrey Weinberg is a clinical professor of dermatology.
What is an ingrown hair exactly?
An ingrown hair happens when a hair (generally one that's been tweezed or shaved off) grows back into the skin, instead of out of it, according to the Mayo Clinic. When this happens, the way the hair gets lodged in the skin can lead to inflammation and a red bump in the area where the hair was removed.
Ingrown hairs are super common among patients who prefer to shave, Dr. Dweck says. “With shaving or hair removal, there’s a teeny possibility that you can get an infection in the hair follicle," she says. And this infection causes the hair not to grow out of the skin, but backwards inside the follicle.
According to a JAMA Dermatology study surveying 3,316 women, 84 percent reported they engage in some form of pubic hair removal via scissor, razor, wax, tweezer, laser, or electrolysis. So, yeah, you can imagine that you're *not* alone in dealing with this issue.
What does an ingrown pubic hair look and feel like? (You know, so I can rule out other things...)
Yes, ingrown hairs often get confused with warts and herpes. So before you jump to the worst possible conclusion, here's how to ID an ingrown hair.
When an ingrown hair forms, a bump usually appears along with some slight discomfort. But it's nothing too serious and shouldn't be causing you any severe pain. You'll usually feel pressure in the area, similar to a pimple, Dr. Dweck says. If you shave and then in first 12 or 24 hours you’ve got bumps all over that area, Dr. Dweck says, those are likely ingrown hairs.
You may develop a cyst with an ingrown hair. “A cyst is a raised bump under the skin, that you can feel with your fingers, says Jeffrey Weinberg, MD, a clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai. "If it’s a physical cyst, it has a wall. It may feel a little rubbery. What you see is a dome shaped lesion under the skin that is pushing the skin up.” It can appear as white, red, or even yellow.
Cysts don’t always form when an ingrown hair pops up, though. They may form if there’s an infection or injury in the area. It can be painless or painful, and it may get bigger over time.
Herpes, on the other hand, is very painful (and usually a sharp pain). "It’s a raised, sort of blistery type of lesion that has a red base and hurts like crazy, especially if it’s the first time you’re getting one," Dr. Dweck says. A herpes lesion can also feel tingly at times because it could be irritating your nerves.
Another case of mistaken identity? Warts. Warts have a very distinct appearance, though, Dr. Dweck says. "They’re raised, they typically don’t itch or hurt, they don’t bleed and they have a cauliflower type of appearance where they’re sort of corrugated a bit."
Okay, whew. So how do I get rid of an ingrown hair?
Ingrown hairs will generally go away without treatment. They typically heal within a week or two, but sometimes they may stick around for as long as one to six months, according to Mayo Clinic.
If you already have an ingrown hair, staying away from it while shaving and refraining from scratching can help avoid irritating the area further and potentially speed up recovery. In fact, not shaving at all while you wait for the ingrown hair to go away is likely your best bet, according to Dr. Weinberg.
While you're waiting for it to heal, there are a few things you can do to make yourself feel more comfortable. "Warm soaks are helpful and soothing," Dr. Dweck says. Some of her patients like to do an Epsom salt soak using warm water and plain Epsom salt (no fragrance!). Over-the-counter pain meds can also be pretty helpful.
Try Advil for pain and hydrocortisone cream for swelling and redness. And if a cyst forms on top of the ingrown hair, try a little benzoyl peroxide. And remember, ingrown hairs appear on your vulva, not your vagina—so nothing should be entering your vag.
If you're noticing that the bumps are continuing to grow, they're bleeding, or you have inflamed or swollen lymph nodes in your groin, those are all signs you should call your doctor, Dr. Dweck says. It might be a sign the ingrown hair is infected to the point where you'll need an antibiotic to kick it.
How can I avoid ingrown hairs from happening altogether? Kind of sick it this.
As you can imagine, plenty of people like to use a razors, Dr. Dweck says. They're cheap and easy and you can get your biz done in the shower. But there are a few things you should keep in mind if you won't give up your razor use:
Change the blade and clean it frequently. "You want to be using a sharp razor," Dr. Dweck says. Dull razors will actually tug at your skin and cause serious irritation and possibly infection. And if you keep your razor in the shower, disinfect it with hot water and soap often so that you're not using it covered in bacteria (which can lead to infection if the bacteria enters through a nic on your skin).
Don’t share your razor. This could make you wayyy more prone to infection, Dr. Dweck says, as you don't know what type of bacteria or germs are on someone else's tool.
Always shave in the direction of the hair. This means there'll be less of a chance that you'll cut your skin and leave an opening for infection. "This is kind of different than what we all do with our legs," Dr. Dweck says. "We put our leg up in the shower and we shave from the ankle to the knee, which is cool for shaving our legs. However, in the genital area, you're less likely get an ingrown hair if you shave in the direction the hair grows."
If you have sensitive skin or are more prone to ingrown hairs (curly-haired people, that's you!), use a shaving cream to cut down the friction on the skin.
And when you're done shaving, you can also apply hydrocortisone, bacitracin, or a moisturizer that you're comfortable using on your intimate area to help avoid infection. Reminder from Dr. Dweck: "None of this should go in the vagina. This is all for external use."
If your ingrown hairs are becoming too bothersome (or even more frequent!), consider a different kind of hair removal altogether, Dr. Dweck says. Waxing and laser hair removal are both longer lasting alternatives that might be worth a try.
Waxing is not something you want to try if you’re hoping to avoid ingrown hairs, according to Dr. Weinberg. “With waxing, you’re certainly going to have more of a problem. If you remove the hair below the level of the skin, it has more of a chance to grow in before it’s even grown out.” But long-term hair removal solutions like laser hair removal could help minimize future ingrown hairs.
When in doubt, check in with a dermatologist. “If something is red or infected or really painful, then see someone emergently—even if you need to go to urgent care,” says Dr. Weinberg.
You Might Also Like
