If you shave the area around your penis, you may get razor bumps. A razor bump is a bump that forms around an ingrown hair. When you shave, the razor cuts the tip of the hair off, leaving a sharpened edge. Sometimes, that edge begins to grow into the skin or the wall of the hair follicle. Once the hair does this, the body treats it like a foreign body, causing a bump that looks like a pimple or blister.
Step 1
Wear loose pants and underwear once you notice the bumps. The genital area stays warm and is likely to sweat. Tight clothing holds sweat near your skin, which irritates the bumps.
Step 2
Sit in a bathtub filled with hot water. Make sure the penis area is submerged. The heat encourages the bumps to drain, which promotes healing.
Step 3
Rub the penis area gently in a circular motion with a washcloth before bed.
Step 4
Remove the ingrown end of the hair if you can see the hair above the skin. Slip a sterilized needle between the hair and the skin. Gently pull up until the ingrown end of the hair is out of the skin.
Step 5
Apply a topical antibiotic on the razor bumps. Bacitracin, polysporin and triple antibiotic ointment are over-the-counter options.
Step 6
Use 1 percent hydrocortisone cream to control itching.
Step 7
Rinse the area after sweating. Sweat contains salt and bacteria, both of which may irritate the razor bumps.
Tips and Warnings
- Don’t shave again until the bumps have subsided. Shaving with bumps present may make the bumps worse and will cause new razor bumps to appear.
- If bumps appear when you haven’t shaved or if they don’t respond to home treatments, contact your doctor to determine what is causing them.
Things You'll Need
- Washcloth
- Needle
- Topical antibiotic
- Hydrocortisone
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