(female) infected pubic hair folicle

I'm 19, and have had infected hair folicles every few monthes, since I was 16. I've done the antibiotics, the creams and so on. WebMD says to put a bandage on it and don't wear tight clothes around it. That's all great and well when it's on your arm but not your pubic area. I still have to wear underwear and pants and stuff, and am not going to tape something to my bikini area! The worst is that it interferes with my exercising. Doing the eliptical, stretching etc. hurts, because the area gets rubbed. Has anyone else ever gotten these, have yo found anything besdies lancing to help make them go away and/or prevent them from happening again. As a cheerleader/dancer/young italian girl who likes bikinis, stopping shaving all together isn't an option without giving everyone quite a show, not to mention that not shaving makes me itch like crazy when the hair grows.

a show..lol

i used to get that on my legs..the doctor said:


- use an acne wash on them
- use a new razor every time
- 2 days after shaving wear loose and natural fabrics
- shave in the direction of the growth
- use a single blade razor - double+ blade cut too close and make the hair ingrown and infected.

and then there is also waxing.

it doesnt bother me anymore. i think it was a problem because of my age (hormones and what not)

there is also a product called "bikini zone" but i havent tried it.

rinsing the area with a crushed asprin in some witch hazel has helped.

You can also try exfoliating, gently of course, as a preventative measure.

My friend had all her bikini area hair removed with laser for some final relief wiht her infection problems. At first it seemed like a dumb idea, but after a while when the area healed ( no gym for a while though) she's now been problem free.

( I must add her hubby was a bit sceptical at first.... but now he's gotten used to it lol lol)

You shave?  Okay that must be it then.  This used to happen to me, but after a while, it hasnt happened.  It took a few months of getting used to.

How long have you been shaving?

I also suggest exfoliating, possibly soaking in the tub might help.  and wash twice a day.  Even if you dont shower at night, shower down 'there' and maybe that will help some.  Shaving with a new razor will help out a lot too.

Take a beard trimmer, remove the guard and shave with the direction of the hair growth. I used to get ingrowns really bad until I started doing that. It's not completely bare but it does control the chaos that would be there, just a suggestion.

I would say quit shaving and start getting it waxed.  Waxing pulls the whole hair out rather than just cutting the hair as shaving does.  It'll take longer to grow back than what it does when you shave and it will also be finer, and most importantly won't itch as it grows back.

Wax and exfoliate.  It's a great combination and a million times better than shaving.  Exfoliate with a dry loofah every day when you shower and you should have fewer problems.

Wax, or use Nair Bikini Line.

After you shave exfoliate.

I had this problem in the past and I have found...(don't laugh) using deodorant on the area after shaving makes a world of difference! Try it, it can't hurt! I do it after every shave!!!

ok thanks this will control my appetite for the rest of the day! Just kidding:)

There is a product called Tend Skin that works wonders! It was originally developed for men's beards but many estheticians recommend it. They sell it at Sephora and many salons, it can also be purchased online. It doesn't smell great, but I am telling you it is the only thing that has worked for  me.

Try to avoid antibiotics--they'll kill the good bacteria and flora you do need in your body.  I've had what you have for yeeeeeeeears and it's embarrassing and painful and annoying.  2 things that have helped me get off of the antibiotics and feel good: (1) changed my diet and (2) lemon extract/oil.

(1) nutrition: avoid soda, taco bell, candy, dessert, kfc, etc. as much as possible.  carbohydrates can cause inflammation. see if you have food allergies that cause inflammation throughout your body.  you've got lots of glands "down there" and sometimes they get blocked up when you're not sweating properly and have too much garbage/fat/grease all in ya.  Then, you can eat healthier, go to the gym, sweat out the regular way and you'll be cleansing yourself and will feel good. Drinks LOTS of water to be cleansing the body. Easier said than done when you love food, but you gotta decide whether you wanna eat grease or suffer from these health problems.

(2) lemon extract/oil: has anti-inflammatory and anti-septic properties; better than prescription drugs.  put a dab of this oil on--stings a bit like any astringent would, but it helps and it's natural. helps the body sucks back up the inflammation and helps the body fight off the bad bacteria that's localized in those hair follicule spots.

Perhaps the deoderant idea would work, but doesn't deoderant typically block pores? (I still use it on my armpits.)

I 100% agree with sparkler - use TendSkin!  It really works. 

TendSkin is essentially liquid aspirin, so using crushed uncoated aspirin in water or alcohol would have a similar effect, but it would be tricky to get the correct %.

I use lotion instead of shaving cream or gel or soap and it works for me, no issues at all.

I agree with Vmassey!  Rubbing on a little deodorant after shaving sensitive areas really helps.  It also will keep razor burn from happening.

I would suggest waxing and also using an antibacterial soap like dial.

Did you use gel or powdered deodorant?

Sorry for the late reply - I use powdered deodorant like lady speed stick.

wax and/or pluck. I know, miserable. But the only real solution.

Every time I see the title of this thread, I feel nauseated.