How Does Ingrown Armpit Hair Occur?

Causes

Ingrown armpit hairs are hairs that have grown backwards or sideways into the skin. They can also be hairs that are trapped beneath the surface of the skin. The main cause of ingrown armpit hair is shaving. This is because shaving causes the tip of the hair to break off suddenly, leaving a sharp point. Tight clothing can also cause armpit hair to break. Once there is a sharp point on the tip of the hair, it can more easily reenter the skin, growing back down below the surface of the skin. This can be painful and leave a small swollen, red bump. Ingrown hairs tend to happen in the same place over and over again. Sometimes, ingrown hairs occur for unknown reasons. They are most common in curly-haired people, as curly hair tends to curl back toward the skin naturally.

Symptoms

Although ingrown hairs frequently occur in the armpit area, they can occur anywhere there is hair on the skin. If an ingrown hair becomes infected, you will know it by the appearance of a number of small red bumps. This is called folliculitis. This rash of tiny red bumps can be painful and even itch. Folliculitis, however, can also be caused by old skin cells that have been shed and trapped in the hair follicle.

If you have hair under your armpit that you can't shave off, it might be ingrown. Hot, red bumps and pus under the skin are other symptoms of an ingrown, infected armpit hair.

Treatment

Infected ingrown hairs should be treated with topical creams. If it is painful, you can also take ibuprofen. Ingrown hairs that are not infected can be treated with warm compresses. It is also possible to simply try to remove an ingrown armpit hair. To do this, first disinfect the skin, then use a sterilized pair of tweezers or a needle to remove it.

In some cases, repeated ingrown hairs in the armpit area can become more than just an annoyance. They can become painful and irritating, even forcing you to avoid wearing certain clothing. In this case, you may wish to consult with a dermatologist, who can describe alternative treatments, including the use of a laser to remove hair.

There are some things you can do to prevent ingrown hairs in the armpit area. If you shave, try shaving in different directions each time, or use a depilatory cream instead of shaving. In addition, be sure to exfoliate regularly and keep the area clean. Finally, if the ingrown hair is merely an annoyance, go ahead and ignore it; they usually fall out on their own within a week or so.

Resources

• Directions for ways to shave that will reduce the chance of ingrown hairs.