Ingrown hair

Ingrown hairs are usually the result of previous hair removal by shaving, epilation or so-called waxing. The hairs come in the wrong direction when regrowing, so they stay under the skin. Initially, so-called pustules (pustules) form, which in most cases heal over time by themselves. However, in the worst case, the ingrown hairs can also lead to severe inflammation that spreads to the surrounding tissue and requires surgical removal.

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symptoms
Naturopathy
Avoid ingrown hair

symptoms

Ingrown hairs can be completely symptom-free and should not be interpreted as a pathological event. The hairs have simply taken the wrong direction while waxing and have therefore grown into the skin. The complaints follow from the reaction of the organism or the skin to the "foreign body". The hair is decapsulated and a purulent inflammation forms. This usually occurs again as a pustule in appearance. The skin is reddened and swollen in the affected area. If the inflammation spreads to surrounding tissue or even forms an abscess, the swelling and redness also expands. The area may also appear overheated. To distinguish the inflammations in ingrown hairs from the symptoms of a hair root inflammation, which occurs directly at the root.

Ingrown hair causes inflammation. (Image: p6m5 / fotolia.com)

Persons affected by ingrown hairs are usually only people from the age of puberty, whereby on the one hand the change of the hair growth and on the other hand the hair removal by shaving, dewaxing and epilation are made responsible for it. Inflammations and pustules as a result of ingrown hair are relatively common in intimate shaving, for example. Especially with a first shave of the pubic hair or a shave after a longer break is to be expected with appropriate complaints. Although the body usually succeeds without further medical support to encapsulate the ingrown hair and repel. However, in the case of an unfavorable course, a severe inflammation in the form of an abscess may occur, which must be surgically eliminated.

It is believed that there is a relationship between the hair type and the appearance of ingrown hair. So people with thicker, curly hair are subject to increased risk. Also, the ingrown hair in men and women increasingly occur in different parts of the body, here a match with the areas of hair removal is observed. For example, ingrown hairs in men are more common in the face in the area of ​​beard growth, while women almost never have corresponding complaints here. Otherwise, women on the rest of the body (especially armpits, pubic area and legs) are probably more affected than men due to increased hair removal, although there are no scientifically confirmed figures available.

Ingrown hairs are also associated with the formation of so-called coccyx fistulae (sinus pilonidalis). The penetrating hairs are the reason for a chronic inflammation - usually at the upper end of the buttock fold - which manifests itself in the form of a purulent cyst. For those affected, this can be extremely painful. A treatment is carried out by surgical removal of the affected tissue, which often has to be cut to the bone of the coccyx. Such an operation is under general anesthesia, less serious cases can be eliminated under local anesthesia. The connection between the penetration of hair and the development of a coccyx fistula is still controversial and by no means finally resolved.

The reason for the wrong growth direction of the hair may also be a blockage of the hair root due to dead skin cells or excess keratin. An exposure and removal of the ingrown hair with subsequent opening of the hair root creates a remedy. Sometimes even a thorough exfoliation or scrubbing the skin achieves the desired effect.

In general, ingrown hairs, which still proceed without inflammation, are often relatively easy to remove by scraping or rubbing away the overlying skin layers (best with a so-called loofah sponge). The scratching, however, brings with it an injury to the skin, which in turn may be in turn trigger for an inflammation. If the ingrown hairs are associated with inflammatory events, deeper layers of the skin have usually been affected. In many cases, there is also an elimination in self-direction, the ingrown hairs are usually exposed using a needle and / or tweezers. However, the needle should be urgently sterilized before use and the wound disinfected after successful eradication of ingrown hair. In general, with ingrown hair with concomitant inflammation is advised against self-treatment and the removal should ideally be done by a dermatologist. This can also initiate necessary further action, such as a drug supply with anti-inflammatory drugs or antibiotics immediately.

Naturopathy

Naturopathy knows various methods to counteract the inflammation that can be caused by ingrown hair. Here, especially herbal medicine approaches such as the external use of ingredients of calendula (marigold) attributed a very positive effect. Tea tree oil also counteracts the inflammatory processes of ingrown hairs.

Avoid ingrown hair

Regular exfoliation and brushing / scrubbing of the skin is generally thought to have a preventive effect against ingrown hair, but this effect is not clearly established. The same applies to the special shaving aids such as oils, creams or the like. The effect of specially developed gels for the targeted elimination of ingrown hair, remains rather controversial. Ingrown hairs are as a possible side effect of today extremely common elimination of body hair simply unavoidable, but harmless from health aspects in most cases for those affected. (Fp)

Picture 1: andreas stix / pixelio.de