When a hair is stuck, signs of inflammation such as pain, redness and a small swelling do not always need to be medicated, exfoliation of the skin is sufficient, but when more severe signs appear as swelling increases, a nut, for example, this may already indicate that it has infected due to the proliferation of viruses, fungi or bacteria.
In this case it may be necessary to use an antibiotic or antifungal ointment, under medical indication, such as:
- Neomycin sulfate + bacitracin, such as Nebacetin;
- Mupirocin, like Bactobran;
- Nitrofurazone, such as Furacin;
- Betamethasone + gentamicin sulfate, as Diprogenta.
It is usually indicated to apply the ointment 2 times a day after the bath. If there is a build up of pus, a lump should be taken to the health clinic because it may be necessary to make a small cut on the skin to completely remove the pus and keep the wound properly cleaned and disinfected.
When there are no signs of infection but the ingrown hair continues to bother you it may be indicated to apply an ointment containing acetylsalicylic acid because it will help to remove the outermost skin, facilitating the removal of the hair. You can buy this ointment in a pharmacy, for example.
Warning signs to go to the doctor
Usually folliculitis is not a serious condition that requires medical attention and is simple to solve at home, but the signs that may indicate that you need to go to the doctor are:
- Increased pain and especially the swelling of the region of the ingrown hair, which may indicate accumulation of pus;
- Fever above 37 ° C because it is usually a sign of infection;
- Having many ingrown hairs, and frequently, because it increases the risk of infection, and there are solutions like laser hair removal, which completely eliminates hair.
In these cases you should go to the health clinic or make an appointment with a dermatologist
How to speed healing
Some strategies that can help accelerate healing, unclogging the hair, in a homemade and simple way is to exfoliate the skin with a mixture of a little sweet almond oil and sugar, for example.
Circular motions can help break the most superficial layer of the skin allowing the hair to escape, but it may still be necessary to pass a cotton swab to disinfect and try to remove the hair with a clean tweezers. Other precautions are:
- Keep the region clean and always dry to avoid fungal infection;
- Do not wear tight clothing or excessive sneezing of the affected area;
- Do not shave with a razor blade, wax or depilatory cream on the area of the ingrown hairs until the hair grows large enough to unravel.
When a man has a tendency to get bearded hairs easily, he may consider not shaving the beard completely, not using the razor and always using a hair trimmer, which leaves them shorter, avoiding this problem of skin. When folliculitis is most common in the groin, it may be helpful to change the slip underwear by a boxer, who will have even groin friction, avoiding the formation of ingrown hairs.
