i think i have an ingrown hair

[blueZ]

for those who dont know what an ingrown hair is, it is a hair that failed to grow outside the skin, thus growing sideways or back into the skin.

i think i have one, but it might be a pimple, but i've had it for a few months now and i am beginning to think that its an ingrown hair...

have you ever had an ingrown hair and how do you remove it?

[BeDeviled]

sterilize a needle and dig it out, I had one that never went away after a few months the hair was so long (it was on my leg) but that's how I use to remove all of them.

Best to get it out now, I have a co-worker who left hers and she did end up with blood poisioning after the hair reached a blood vessle.

[MarchingDuck]

digging it out is really the only way to remove it. If it continues to be a problem then look for a product that reduces ingrown hairs.

I get them alot when my eyebrows are waxed. its really anoying!

[shapu]

Having never had an eyebrow waxing, I'll take your word on that.

Digging it out can be helpful. But if you aren't confident in your ability to do it right, see a dermatologist. Or even go to an urgent care center (not an emergency room, it's the next step down and much cheaper). The physicians there would be happy to deal with anything that isn't a broken leg, I'm sure.

[mazil]

I'm sure just your normal GP would be happy to do it, too

But yeah, I had a pretty bad one on/in my leg, once, that hung around for months. Dug it out with a pin in the end. It was a bit nasty, but kinda had to be done.

[MarchingDuck]

Having never had an eyebrow waxing, I'll take your word on that.

its the least painful way to deal w. my catapillers.

plucking hurts too much for too long. waxing is one quick move and lasts longer.

[Asthaloth]

I was waxed once. Unwillingly and they had to pin me down to do it.

But yes, dig the thing out, a Needle would suffice I should think, but be sure to sterilise the wound afterwards.

[Rachel]

In terms of prevention, exfoliating helps with ingrown hairs as it removes the dead skin and makes it easier for the hairs to get out.

if you've got one, i'm with everyone else - dig it out - sometimes tweezers will work, others you'll need something sharper (or a combination)

[Byakuya San]

And how, praytell, do you recognize an ingrown hair? Oh, and Marchingduck-when you say it lasts longer, are you referring to the effect of the waxing or the pain?

[shapu]

And how, praytell, do you recognize an ingrown hair?

Large red boil where there ought to be a hair. It may still have the pore visible.

When you squeeze it and it pops, it's among the most satisfying things in the world.

(note: don't squeeze and pop one, as it can lead to infection, one of the least satisfying things in the world)

[Igg]

Plus, you can see the hair, but it never comes out of yer skin.

[Regan]

Wow, I've never had an ingrown hair before. I'm not really a squeamish person, but reading you guys talking about digging out the hair with a needle is kind of freaking me out.

[blueZ]

im still not sure if its an ingrown hair yet.
its on my backside so i cant see it, it feels like a really hard lump is deep inside the skin, and the lump feels like its about 5 millimeter in width

[Zilary]

Could it be a mole?

(...moles sometimes have hair growing out of it.)

[blueZ]

i doubt it...