What causes the ingrown hair on thighs? How do I get rid of these it? Well, this article is going to provide a great insight into the causes and meaning. You will as well learn about their symptoms, see some pictures and various ways to treat it.
Meaning
Ingrown hairs occur when hair curls or grows back into the skin after being shaven or tweezed. This condition triggers a red, painful little bump that can induce inflammation in the entire areas where it happens. It usually develops following various hair removal methods such as waxing, plucking, shaving, etc.
Therefore, this condition is prevalent in people frequently removing their hair especially those who have coarse and curly hair types. It is also common in teenagers undergoing puberty stage characterized by much hair growth.
Worth to mention the problem does not affect the pubic region only, all places that can be shaven are susceptible i.e. you can have it on the face, on legs, chest, back, buttock, pubic area, etc.
In women, this condition can also be experienced around the bikini area and places with natural folds when the hair have been removed and it is growing back.
Though this is usually a harmless condition, it can be severe when an infection strikes in. Infected one can lead to skin discoloration, scarring and damage depending on the nature of the infection.
Causes for male and female
As we have already mentioned, it forms when curly or coarse hairs grows back to the skin. This condition can also result when it grows sideways under the skin.
It should be noted that no amount of carefulness during shaving, waxing or tweezing of hair could prevent it entirely.
To some people, the problem is more common because they have skin that easily develops ingrown hair i.e. “many people have a skin type that easily produces ingrown hairs” [Folliculitisclinic.com]. So let us now read below to see the factors that lead or trigger it on thigh:
1. Blocked hair follicles
After shaving, follicles can be clogged by dead skin cells, overproduced sebum as well as dirt. When the pores are clogged, the hair will be pushed to grow sideways under the skin. This can be common in people having coarse and curly hair.
2. Coarse and curly hair
It is true that anyone can develop this problem. However, this condition has proved to be more prevalent in people having natural course and curly hair. Normally when people shave, sharp curly hair that remains can easily grow back to the skin.
This phenomenon normally occurs in the aftermath of shaving, waxing or removal of unwanted hair in various parts of your body. This is normally referred to as razor bump.
3. Improper removal procedures
The occurrence can also be influenced by the methods and tools we use to get rid of the hair. Using blunt razors to remove facial, pubic or on thigh can trigger it. Yet again, the shaving direction is another factor to be taken into consideration. You should acknowledge that shaving in the wrong direction can lead to the development this problem too.
4. Wearing close-fitting clothing
Wearing tight and unbreathable clothing can also be imputed for ingrown hair on the thigh. Tight and unbreathable undergarment and jeans made out of nylon, polyester or synthetic can enhance the chances. These kinds of clothing prevent effective air circulation and hinder its outward growth. Watch on your clothing!
5. Certain hormones
Once again, this problem can be influenced by certain sex hormones. Such hormones have the potential to cause excessive growth of hair. This can make some it to curl and grow back to the skin. Apart from being experienced on the thigh, this condition can also affect other places such as chicks, head, armpits or underarm area, the pubic area among others.
6. Other causes
- Bacterial and fungal infections
- Shaving very close
- Friction caused by tight clothing
- Make-ups, grease, and comedogenic skincare products
- Chemical that irritates the skin
Symptoms to look out for
What are early signs of ingrown hair on the thigh? Well, some of the first signs that will help you notice this issue may be tickling itching feeling. Swelling and reddening may follow. This may trigger papule or a pustule having a hair located at the center, a clear sign of inflammation.
I want to put it this way, some symptoms depend on the whether it infected or not, long or short, and its depth. Familiarize yourself with some of the conditions that may occur alongside Ingrown hair on thigh.
1. Inflammation, reddening and tendering of the skin
Some few days after shaving, an individual may start to experience a condition known as folliculitis, which is the inflammation of the hair follicles. Reddening and tendering of the inflamed area can follow. These are actually the earlier signs that indicate the issue is knocking. They actually show up after shaving, waxing or tweezing on the face, pubic area, thigh and other parts.
2. Little solid round papules
After inflammation of follicles and other related symptoms, there may be a breakout of small round ingrown hair bumps developing on your thigh skin or other areas on which the hair has been removed.
3. Painful and itchy Bumps
One may also develop painful and itchy bumps especially when it gets infected. It can cause the urge of scratching the itchy bumps. Resist the temptation since by doing so, you can facilitate more infections and damage your skin. So try to find other remedies for itchy bumps instead.
4. Tiny blisters filled with pus
Small bumps developing after ingrown hair may be infected by bacteria and become filled with pus. The bumps will be a little bit raised enough on the skin surface hence revealing the hair under the skin. Sometimes the bumps may be black hence conceal it.
5. Hyperpigmentation
it can also occur alongside skin darkening. There may be spots darker than your normal skin. Hyperpigmentation can also be due to ingrown hair scars.
Deeper ingrown hair on thighs
This kind can be very troublesome especially when they are accompanied by itchiness and pain. Some of the wrong methods of hair extraction we employ can be blamed for this condition. Its removal will require extra attention by specialists. To avoid such, you can opt to visit your skin dermatologist to do for you another waxing.
There are also good creams available over the counter that can help you manage the deep ingrown hair. Such creams act by softening and breaking the skin covering it hence enhance its penetration.
Alternatively, they do away with the dead skin cells that may block it from coming out. The creams can also be applied to heal scarring. They normally contain ingredients such as lactic acid among others.
Infected
What actually causes the infected ingrown hair on the thigh? What can indicate that it is infected? Well, infections are usually caused by bacterial or fungal infections.
Bad habits for instance scratching, squeezing or picking resulting lumps can just lead to further infections and they may trigger severe symptoms like pustules and cysts. Other symptoms may include redness, inflammation, and occurrence of abscesses
Treatments options
What are the treatment options? If at all, you are asking yourself such a question then just take your time to understand this, usually, this issue vanishes of their own but this may not apply to infected ones.
In case they become bothersome to you then you may pay a visit to your doctor. Many doctor usually approach the ingrown hair by performing a simple surgery-making a small cut on your skin to free the coiled hair underneath the skin. Below are some of the medications that the doctor may recommend:
1. Steroid medication
In case of swelling and irritation, steroid medicine can be applied to calm down these conditions especially on the affected skin especially if it is having cysts. In addition, they also have a soothing effect on affected skins. This kind of medication is always prescribed.
2. Retinoids or Retin A treatment
Retinoids are ingredients derived from vitamin A. They effectively get rid of dead skin cells and also limit the hyperpigmentation of your skin.
3. Antibiotics therapies and injection
Topical antibiotics are usually effective for infected cases since they have the potential to do away with various infections caused by bacteria. They are usually applied by being rubbed on the affected skin. In severe cases of infected ingrown hair, your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics.
For the case of inflammation when ingrown hair cyst is infected with bacteria, you can as well employ antibacterial injections. The injections are more appropriate especially when resultant bumps or lumps are tender and filled with pus. Painful boils forming on your skin due to this problem can also be managed by antibacterial injections.
4. Anti-acne treatment
In some circumstances, the cyst may be triggered by some form of acne. Therefore, the application of anti-acne medication may be the best way to go. Such medications contain salicylic or glycolic acid that helps to manage acne-triggered cyst. They perform the job by exfoliating the top layer of skin gently and keeping the pores open. This usually makes it come out.
Home remedies
There are several home products that are very good for ingrown hair removal on thighs. They usually perform their work by softening the covering skin, getting rid of the dead skin cell and other debris, killing acne-causing bacteria as well as keeping the pores open hence offering perfect natural ingrown hair treatment.
All these conditions have the potential to free the coiled hair under the skin to come out. So some of the home removal products include:
- Sugar scrub
- Black tea bugs
- Salt
- Honey
- Tea tree oil
- Baking soda
NOTE: home remedies should not be used to treat infected ones instead, one should see his/her doctor soon after suspecting that his/her case is infected.
How to prevent it from occurring
To help you prevent ingrown hair on your thigh, here are some of the effective and fast techniques we have in place. Try them out for the best result.
- Always shave using a sharp and single-bladed razor.
- Make sure that your skin is wetted and also apply greasing gel before you begin shaving.
- Avoid shaving too close to your skin. Don’t cut the hair too short instead leave them to some height since the longer it is the lesser it can penetrate back into the skin. Again if you shave too closely, the bacteria can enter into the minor opening of freshly shaved skin.
- Always make sure you shave in the same direction. The direction in which it is growing.
- To reduce skin irritation, apply a cool washcloth to the shaved area.
- While shaving, use as fewer strokes of blades as possible.
- Wear breathable and loose clothing to avoid friction with the skin.
- You should avoid scratching or using tweezers that are not sterilized or even your dirty fingernail. All of these may lead to infections.
- Consider other hair removal techniques such as laser removal and electrolysis which are permanent
Conclusion
Ingrown hair is a condition that can be experienced by anybody. It is usually a simple condition but it should be given prompt remedies before it grows to its severity i.e. be infected.
I also understand that several cases normally heal by themselves but keep watch, some don’t! Once more, it is very important to see your doctor immediately you suspect it is infected. Also, see you, doctor, when the problem is chronic or if it is due to unusual hair growth.
References
- http://www.top10homeremedies.com/home-remedies/home-remedies-ingrown-hair.html
- http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/guide/ingrown-hair-causes-symptoms-treatment
- http://www.medicinenet.com/ingrown_hair/article.htm
- http://asmoothlife.com/how-to-prevent-ingrown-hairs/
- http://www.vogue.com.au/forums/showthread.php?t=253165
- http://www.emedicinehealth.com/ingrown_hair/article_em.htm