You don't have to live with unsightly blemishes on your skin. Shaving doesn't have to be painful or lead to skin irritation. You can prevent unsightly red bumps with a few tweaks to your daily routine. It won't be long before you transform your skin from rough and irritated to healthy and smooth.
Features
If bumps appear on your skin after you shave, you might have a variety of Superficial folliculitis, or clusters of small reddened bumps that gather around hair follicles. You might also experience pus-filled blisters that break open and crust over. Your skin might be red and inflamed with itchiness and soreness. Both men and women can experience folliculitis. It is often seen on a man's beard area and on a woman's lower legs.
Prevention/Solution
Some precautions can prevent Superficial folliculitis. It is important to prevent damaging the hair follicles, which can lead to infection. Minimize friction from your clothes and don't shave the affected area, if possible. The area should also be kept clean, taking care not to contaminate the area with infected clothing and washcloths. Women who get infections frequently should use depilatories or methods of hair removal other than shaving.
Staphylococcal folliculitis
The symptoms of Staphylococcal folliculitis include itchy white and pus-filled bumps that appear where you have hair follicles. The problem occurs when Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria enter your body through a cut or injury to the skin. The bacteria can also enter the body through shaving or scratching. When men experience Staphylococcal folliculitis in their beard area, it is called "barber's itch." Doctors treat Staphylococcal folliculitis with a topical or oral medication antibiotic. According to the Mayo Clinic, your doctor may suggest that you not shave until the infection subsides. If you cannot stop shaving, you should use an electric razor or clean the razor blade you are using after each use.
Tinea barbae
Tinea barbae is caused by a fungus and results in itchy white bumps. The area around the beard area may become red and irritated. The infection may develop into an inflammatory stage and result in pus-filled nodules that become crusty. Sufferers may have swollen lymph nodes and a fever. If you have the inflammatory form of Tinea barbae, your doctor will prescribe an oral antifungal medication.
Pseudofolliculitis barbae.
Yet another form of Superficial folliculitis is Pseudofolliculitis barbae. The hair follicles in the beard area become inflamed when the shaved hairs twist backward into the skin, resulting in dark and raised scars, called keloid scars. These scars are most apparent on the face and neck.
Treatment for Pseudofolliculitis barbae includes changes to your shaving habits. First, refrain from shaving for 30 days in an effort to remove ingrown hairs. When you resume shaving, try using a single-blade razor. Double-blade razors remove the hairs too near the skin. Consider using electric hair clippers, which cut the facial hair a bit longer than usual. When shaving, move in the direction of the follicle rather than against it. Take care with your skin. Do not stretch it. Applying glycolic acid to the affected area may also be useful. It exfoliates the surface of the skin while reducing the risk of further inflammation. If you have severe Pseudofolliculitis barbae, your doctor may prescribe an extended course of tetracycline or tetracycline derivative.
