Ingrown leg hair is caused by waxing, shaving or tweezing hair, so anyone who uses these methods to remove hair from her legs is susceptible to ingrown hairs. According to the Mayo Clinic, the leg is a common place for women to get ingrown hairs. While most ingrown hairs will heal without a doctor's treatment, it is possible for complications to occur.
Symptoms
When the hair breaches the skin, you will notice that the area becomes irritated. Red bumps that may contain pus are usually present as the body tries to fights off any foreign body. The irritation may cause itching and pain.
Types
When leg hair that is shaved at the skin surface begins to grow back, it may curve and grow into the skin. This is called extrafollicular penetration. If the hair is removed below the skin surface, it may grow into the hair follicle. This is called transfollicular penetration.
Treatment
Soak the area with ingrown hair in warm water or apply a moist wet compress to the area. Epigee recommends wearing loose-fitting clothing until the ingrown hair is healed. If the ingrown hair is in an area prone to friction, such as the inner thigh, you can apply a loose bandage to the area to minimize friction. For itching, you can apply an anti-itch cream to the area. If the ingrown hair has grown up out of the skin, you can use a sanitized needle to gently lift the ingrown end out of the skin, then apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment to the area to minimize the risk of infection.
Prevention/Solution
Using proper shaving techniques can minimize your risk of getting an ingrown hair. These include soaking your legs in a tub of warm water for five to 10 minutes before shaving, using shaving gel and using a single-blade razor. When you shave, shave from the top of your leg to the bottom of your leg and only use a single stroke over each strip of hair.
Warnings
If you suffer from hirsutism, or excessive hair growth, and often get ingrown hairs, you should contact your doctor for prescriptions that can help to prevent or treat the ingrown hairs. Retinoids, antibiotics, corticosteroids and eflornithine hydrochloride cream are some of the medications your doctor may prescribe.
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