Ingrown hairs in the underarm may cause areas of irritation, pain and itching. After you shave or remove hair, there is a chance that the hair will curve as it grows. If the hair curves enough to grow back into the skin, it is considered an ingrown hair. According to the Mayo Clinic, the underarm is one of the most common locations for ingrown hairs in females. The method used for treating an ingrown hair depends upon the severity of the ingrown hair. Most ingrown underarm hairs can be treated at home; however, severe or chronic ingrown hairs should be treated by a doctor.
Natural Healing
The University of Virginia Health System states that ingrown hairs may heal on their own. When the hair grows into the skin, the body begins to fight to remove it, much like it would with any foreign object. As a result of this natural reaction, the ingrown hair may get worse before it begins to heal.
Self Treatment
Wearing loose fitting clothing and applying warm compresses to the underarm area are two self treatment options recommended by Epigee. It may be possible to remove the tip of the hair using a sterilized needle from the skin if you can see the hair loop above the skin. You can also use hydrocortisone cream to control itching and triple antibiotic ointment to prevent infection when self treating an ingrown underarm hair. These must be applied prior to applying deodorant or antiperspirant.
Prescription Treatments
If you find that you must visit a doctor for help treating your ingrown underarm hair, she may decide to prescribe medications to help you treat the condition. Antibiotics may be prescribed to control or prevent an infection in the underarm area. Corticosteroids are sometimes used to control inflammation. Retiniods are often prescribed for individuals with dark skin to minimize the risk of scarring or hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin). In some cases, prescriptions may be given to slow the hair growth so hair removal isn't needed as frequently.
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