Where do infected ingrown hairs form?

Question: Where do infected ingrown hairs form? What is the best home remedy for treating an infected ingrown hair?

Answer: Infected ingrown hair is an infection in the hair follicle (the bed or root where the hair is produced). Shaving improperly, friction and distress of the hair follicle can cause the growing hair to become slightly jagged and caught under the skin. The surrounding skin covers the root, thickens thus restricting it from oxygen. Sometimes the bodies own ability to reject foreign objects forces the hair out. When the body is unable to force the hair out of its root, the diverted hair continues to grow forming a pustule and many times the result is an infected ingrown hair.

The nape of the neck or right below the chin is the most susceptible place for an ingrown hair. But infected ingrown hairs can occur any where on the body where hair exits. Once the follicle gets infected (a condition medically known as folliculitis) it becomes tender and full of puss making it painful. A specialist can help eliminate the infected ingrown hair but in most severe cases a Doctor should be consulted.

Removing infected ingrown hair:

You will need one or more of these for successful ingrown hair removal,

1. facial towel

2. sterilized stainless steel tweezers (cleaning with soapy hot water and soaking in alcohol for 5 minutes should do)

3. An astringent

4. ice cube

5. a free standing magnifying mirror

6. alcohol

More Tips for Infected Ingrown Hair:

• Make sure the area is clean and sterile.

• Place the very warm steamy facial towels on the affected area for several minutes, repeat a couple of times. Heat helps soften the area and expand the skin.

• Press the ice cube against the infected area using a paper towel as a barrier. The ice helps numb the area and also tends to lift the root.

• Stretch the area with one hand using the thumb and index, use the tweezers to pluck the hair out; the magnifying mirror will help hit the target.

I know this sounds painful and it is, this is not an easy feat especially for people with low pain tolerance, but it sure beats dealing with the agony of a painful infected ingrown hair.

• Lastly, apply the astringent. The alcohol in the astringent should be enough for a thorough last sterilization.
  

Not all ingrown hair will need this drastic measure; the bodies own ability to eject foreign objects will eliminate most of them naturally.