What to do about Inflammed Hair Follicles
June 2, 2009 2:56 PM Subscribe
My thigh is covered with inflamed hair follicles. It's basically little red dots that look like razor burn. It doesn't hurt, itch, or anything, it just looks bad. Is there any way to reduce them?
Bikini Zone ointment might work, too. It should be by the first aid creams.
posted by soelo at 3:24 PM on June 2, 2009
posted by soelo at 3:24 PM on June 2, 2009
If acne treatments don't work, try an anti-fungal ointment.
posted by LOLAttorney2009 at 3:32 PM on June 2, 2009
posted by LOLAttorney2009 at 3:32 PM on June 2, 2009
Could be folliculitis. See your dermatologist for a diagnosis if OTC acne treatments aren't helpful.
posted by HotPatatta at 3:43 PM on June 2, 2009
posted by HotPatatta at 3:43 PM on June 2, 2009
Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it sounds like it might be keratosis pilaris, which is an incurable skin disorder. I have this on the front part of my upper thighs and the outsides of my upper arms. It can be caused/irritated by hormone fluctuations. My dermatologist says I probably will just have to live with it. Hope this isn't what you have, but if it is, some of these treatment suggestions may work for you.
posted by shimmerstory at 3:45 PM on June 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by shimmerstory at 3:45 PM on June 2, 2009 [1 favorite]
I had that... it was primarily brought on by shaving.
I have since had laser hair removal and it was a smashing success. My skin is as smooth as my baby daughter's because there is no big stumpy hair poking out. It's amazing. Since I don't shave any more, I don't get this problem. And by the way, my dots/bumps didn't hurt, either.
I also have keratosis pilaris on my arms. I have never been stringent enough in applying lactic acid-based lotion to try and do something about it. You can exfoliate and use a lactic acid or urea type lotion (go to a pharmacy and ask; they will direct you to an OTC version; prescription versions are available through a doctor).
You could also try a self-tanner to minimize the look of the bumps. Just make sure you exfoliate before. The Mystic Tans that you can get for about $15-$20 at tanning salons are actually pretty decent and don't look weird.
posted by FergieBelle at 6:08 PM on June 2, 2009
I have since had laser hair removal and it was a smashing success. My skin is as smooth as my baby daughter's because there is no big stumpy hair poking out. It's amazing. Since I don't shave any more, I don't get this problem. And by the way, my dots/bumps didn't hurt, either.
I also have keratosis pilaris on my arms. I have never been stringent enough in applying lactic acid-based lotion to try and do something about it. You can exfoliate and use a lactic acid or urea type lotion (go to a pharmacy and ask; they will direct you to an OTC version; prescription versions are available through a doctor).
You could also try a self-tanner to minimize the look of the bumps. Just make sure you exfoliate before. The Mystic Tans that you can get for about $15-$20 at tanning salons are actually pretty decent and don't look weird.
posted by FergieBelle at 6:08 PM on June 2, 2009
I have found that a product with a combination of glycolic acid and alpha hydroxy acid takes care of red bumps. Here's the one I've used. (I know it says that facial lotion, but that's what the doctor gave me for the bumps on my arm).
posted by *s at 7:00 PM on June 2, 2009
posted by *s at 7:00 PM on June 2, 2009
Could it be because of hot water i.e. hot baths, showers, hot tubs or using a soap or moisturizer that has pore clogging ingredients?
Both have created similar problems for me at times.
I have found that avoiding those things as well as using 2.5% benzoyl peroxide on the problem areas is helpful. (Although it can bleach clothes)
posted by bradly at 7:39 PM on June 2, 2009
Both have created similar problems for me at times.
I have found that avoiding those things as well as using 2.5% benzoyl peroxide on the problem areas is helpful. (Although it can bleach clothes)
posted by bradly at 7:39 PM on June 2, 2009
I don't know if I have inflamed hair follicles on my outer upper arms (is there hair there?) and I don't know that I have keratosis pilaris, but I do have bumps that certainly sound like keratosis pilaris, as described by the other posters upthread. (Oh, and IANADermatologist.) But I find that if I use St. Ives Apricot Scrub on my arms, those bumps and redness are much less noticeable for a week or two. Plus it feels great, esp. after moisturizing.
posted by scratch at 6:15 AM on June 3, 2009
posted by scratch at 6:15 AM on June 3, 2009
Response by poster: Thanks All! Great tips...I shall will give them a try and see how it works out! Thanks!
posted by Anthro girl at 6:44 AM on June 3, 2009
posted by Anthro girl at 6:44 AM on June 3, 2009
One word - loofah. I used to have tons of ingrown hairs on my thighs and legs, but regular exfoliation with a loofah has taken care of the problem.
posted by satori_movement at 11:01 AM on June 3, 2009
posted by satori_movement at 11:01 AM on June 3, 2009
This sounds crazy, but try applying unscented Dove white (not clear) solid deodorant to the areas with bumps shortly after you shower. (Give your skin a chance to cool and your pores to close a little.) A coworker shared this tip with me several years ago. When I asked her why it worked so well, she replied, "You don't get bumps in your armpits." Whatever-but it does work!
posted by lesliejane1 at 10:57 AM on June 4, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by lesliejane1 at 10:57 AM on June 4, 2009 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by emilyd22222 at 3:02 PM on June 2, 2009 [1 favorite]