Suggest Treatment For Pain And Swelling Caused By An Infected Hair Follicle

Posted on Sun, 17 Jan 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 17 Jan 2016 Answered on

Thu, 18 Feb 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Okay, this is going to sound disgusting, I have what appears to be an infected hair follicle, or probably more than one, on the pubis near the fold of the thigh, which may have been caused by cycling. I've had it for about two weeks. The skin swelled, creating an elongated lump about one inch long. It became increasingly painful so I had to limit activities. I washed it with antibacterial soap and put Bacitrin on it. Yesterday when I was washing it the top part (most swollen part) burst and drained white pus and blood. I washed it and put more Bacitrin on it. However, it started filling up again, and today I pressed on it and a lot more pus and blood came out. I washed it, but more blood has stained my underwear about the size of a dime. Now it feels better again, but it's still somewhat swollen and still painful. I want to know if I have to see a doctor. I'm really embarrassed to have to show a doctor this condition. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about, perfectly normal occurrence

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. This was indeed possible folliculitis, which mainly occurs in regions which face regular/frequent friction (e.g. the under arms, the inner thighs, back, etc).

The main and only treatment advise is the following:

+Warm compress over the region (mainly before the lesion pops; in order to allow it to pop and drain)
+Do not pop it yourself (it has already popped)
+Apply a topical antibiotic over the region (especially after it has popped)
+Dress with a sterile dressing for 1-2 days after it has popped
+Continue warm compress at least 3 times a day even after it has popped

Do not worry ma'am, the worst is over and it will only get better from here on. And in the future, make sure you wear good quality cycle shorts which prevent friction, apply a talcum powder in regions which are prone to friction, and avoid unsafe or unhealthy hair removal from any regions.

I hope you find my response helpful. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I am always here to help ma'am.

Best wishes.

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar