Ingrown hair cyst: Treatments, causes, and prevention

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• Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
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An ingrown hair occurs when the strand grows downward instead of upward and becomes trapped under the skin. Ingrown hairs can cause cysts to develop. These lumps can resemble boils or other skin issues.

This can range from a small, painless lump to a large, infected growth. If a doctor diagnoses it, they may call it an epidermoid cyst or a pilonidal cyst.

Ingrown hairs are not usually dangerous, but they can be intensely painful. If an infection is left untreated, it may worsen or travel to the blood.

In this article, we discuss why ingrown hairs happen, how a cyst can develop, and how to stop this from happening.

Share on PinterestIngrown hairs are not dangerous, but they can be painful.

When a hair grows into the skin, a fluid-filled lump can develop, which may become a cyst. When a cyst forms, the area becomes swollen.

A cyst may be hard, soft, large, or smaller than a pea. Some cysts can develop deep under the skin, while others may be near the surface, where they can develop a white or yellow head.

Usually, cysts do not hurt unless an infection develops. An infected cyst may be red, itchy, and tender.

Cysts that result from an ingrown hair often go away without treatment. Often, home treatment can help, but sometimes, a person will need to see a doctor.

The following tips can help speed up healing:

Home remedies

• Keep the cyst and the area around it clean at all times.
• Avoid shaving areas around the cyst, as this can introduce bacteria and cause an infection.
• Apply warm compresses to the cyst for 10–15 minutes several times a day. These might bring the cyst closer to the surface, allowing it to drain. If the hair is trapped under the skin, warm compresses may help it grow out.
• Apply an antiseptic solution, such as tea tree oil, to the cyst to prevent infection. Triple antibiotic ointments may also help and are available for purchase online.

Avoid picking or popping the cyst. Cysts develop from a sac under the skin, which can fill with a thick, yellow substance called keratin. Popping the cyst may release the liquid but will not get rid of the sac, and the cyst may grow back. Popping a cyst can also introduce bacteria to the skin, causing infection or making the cyst worse.

Sometimes, an ingrown hair is visible above the skin before it curls underneath. If this is the case, removing it may speed up healing. People can use clean tweezers to grab the hair and remove it.

They should not try this if the hair is completely under the skin, or if it is necessary to dig into the skin to remove it. Instead, the person should leave the hair alone.

Medical treatment

Sometimes, a person will need medical treatment for a cyst. They should see a doctor if:

• a cyst does not clear up on its own
• the cyst is very painful, red, or continues to ooze
• a fever develops alongside the cyst
• a foreign object is in the cyst, such as a splinter or piece of glass
• a condition, such as HIV, AIDS, uncontrolled diabetes, or medication, has weakened the immune system
• the cyst is very large or is affecting daily life, such as becoming stuck on clothing

A doctor may prescribe antibiotics to clear up an underlying infection or may recommend removing the cyst surgically.

Removal of a cyst is usually possible at a doctor’s office, under local anesthetic. Local anesthetic enables a fast recovery time and allows the individual to remain awake during the procedure.

Share on PinterestIf a hair gets trapped under the skin before it leaves the follicle, it becomes an ingrown hair.

Cysts can appear for various reasons, but when it stems from an ingrown hair, the following happens.

All hairs grow from a hair follicle, sometimes called a pore. This is a tiny opening in the skin, with a complex underlying structure that nourishes the hair.

Sometimes, a hair gets trapped under the skin before it leaves the follicle, resulting in an ingrown hair. At other times, a hair grows out of the follicle but curls back on itself and reenters the skin.

When hair becomes trapped underneath the skin, it can irritate the skin. It also blocks the hair follicle, trapping various substances in the pore. A cyst can develop.

Skin cysts often contain keratin, a protein that keeps skin strong and flexible. But sometimes, cysts arise from trapped bacteria or inflammatory response to an infection.

To reduce the risk of cysts developing from an ingrown hair, people can try the following:

• Use shaving cream and aftershave to soothe the skin. A range of shaving products are available for purchase online.
• Shave with a sharp razor only.
• Moisturize well with a rich lotion when the skin is dry or after shaving. Compare aftershave lotions online.
• Exfoliate dull, dry skin before shaving.
• Shave in the direction of hair growth.
• Do not shave over irritated or red skin.

Risk factors

Anyone can develop ingrown hairs. Risk factors for developing ingrown hairs include:

• Hair removal techniques: Shaving, waxing, and plucking can irritate the skin. After shaving, the hair that grows back may have a sharper edge, making it easier for it to grow into the skin.
• Very dry skin: Dry and dead skin can accumulate over a hair follicle, trapping the growing hair underneath.
• Pressure or friction: This can be a problem, particularly in an area already vulnerable to ingrown hairs. By irritating the skin, it can make ingrown hairs more likely.
• Having coarse, curly, or thick hair: This type of hair is more likely to curl back under the skin when it exits the hair follicle.

Share on PinterestDry skin may indicate that the problem is not a cyst.

When a lump appears in an area where there is body hair, it may be because a cyst has formed around an ingrown hair.

A person should look for a small red bump with a hair in it that slowly grows into a bigger lump. Many cysts of this type develop in areas covered in razor burn.

Some signs that the problem might not be a cyst include:

• a mole that has changed shape or color, or becomes swollen
• red or irritated patches on the skin
• the skin is peeling or has dry patches
• a skin injury, even a small one from a splinter or minor cut, as this could mean a skin infection
• the cyst has no clear borders (normally, cysts are round lumps, so an unusually shaped swelling, or one that changes shape, could be something else)
• there are many painful ingrown hairs, which could be due to a bacterial infection in the hair follicles
• the skin is very dry with many small bumps that can have heads, as this could be a condition called keratosis pilaris

When to see a doctor

It is easy to mistake a harmless cyst for a more serious skin condition. Anyone who has a cyst that does not clear up after a week or two should see their doctor.

Prompt treatment can be lifesaving in the case of skin cancer, serious skin infections, and other dangerous skin problems.

Preventing ingrown hairs is the best way to prevent this type of cyst from developing. However, if cysts do appear, they are usually harmless and often go away on their own.

People who frequently develop cysts, razor burn, or ingrown hairs should ask their doctor about strategies for reducing the occurrence of these annoying skin conditions.

In most cases, a few changes in a person’s skin care routine can significantly reduce the risk of ingrown hairs and the related irritation.

Read this article in Spanish.

Ingrown hair cyst: Treatments, causes, and prevention

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Here’s our process.

Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.

Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:

• Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
• Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
• Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?

We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.

Read more about our vetting process.

Was this helpful?

An ingrown hair occurs when the strand grows downward instead of upward and becomes trapped under the skin. Ingrown hairs can cause cysts to develop. These lumps can resemble boils or other skin issues.

This can range from a small, painless lump to a large, infected growth. If a doctor diagnoses it, they may call it an epidermoid cyst or a pilonidal cyst.

Ingrown hairs are not usually dangerous, but they can be intensely painful. If an infection is left untreated, it may worsen or travel to the blood.

In this article, we discuss why ingrown hairs happen, how a cyst can develop, and how to stop this from happening.

Share on PinterestIngrown hairs are not dangerous, but they can be painful.

When a hair grows into the skin, a fluid-filled lump can develop, which may become a cyst. When a cyst forms, the area becomes swollen.

A cyst may be hard, soft, large, or smaller than a pea. Some cysts can develop deep under the skin, while others may be near the surface, where they can develop a white or yellow head.

Usually, cysts do not hurt unless an infection develops. An infected cyst may be red, itchy, and tender.

Cysts that result from an ingrown hair often go away without treatment. Often, home treatment can help, but sometimes, a person will need to see a doctor.

The following tips can help speed up healing:

Home remedies

• Keep the cyst and the area around it clean at all times.
• Avoid shaving areas around the cyst, as this can introduce bacteria and cause an infection.
• Apply warm compresses to the cyst for 10–15 minutes several times a day. These might bring the cyst closer to the surface, allowing it to drain. If the hair is trapped under the skin, warm compresses may help it grow out.
• Apply an antiseptic solution, such as tea tree oil, to the cyst to prevent infection. Triple antibiotic ointments may also help and are available for purchase online.

Avoid picking or popping the cyst. Cysts develop from a sac under the skin, which can fill with a thick, yellow substance called keratin. Popping the cyst may release the liquid but will not get rid of the sac, and the cyst may grow back. Popping a cyst can also introduce bacteria to the skin, causing infection or making the cyst worse.

Sometimes, an ingrown hair is visible above the skin before it curls underneath. If this is the case, removing it may speed up healing. People can use clean tweezers to grab the hair and remove it.

They should not try this if the hair is completely under the skin, or if it is necessary to dig into the skin to remove it. Instead, the person should leave the hair alone.

Medical treatment

Sometimes, a person will need medical treatment for a cyst. They should see a doctor if:

• a cyst does not clear up on its own
• the cyst is very painful, red, or continues to ooze
• a fever develops alongside the cyst
• a foreign object is in the cyst, such as a splinter or piece of glass
• a condition, such as HIV, AIDS, uncontrolled diabetes, or medication, has weakened the immune system
• the cyst is very large or is affecting daily life, such as becoming stuck on clothing

A doctor may prescribe antibiotics to clear up an underlying infection or may recommend removing the cyst surgically.

Removal of a cyst is usually possible at a doctor’s office, under local anesthetic. Local anesthetic enables a fast recovery time and allows the individual to remain awake during the procedure.

Share on PinterestIf a hair gets trapped under the skin before it leaves the follicle, it becomes an ingrown hair.

Cysts can appear for various reasons, but when it stems from an ingrown hair, the following happens.

All hairs grow from a hair follicle, sometimes called a pore. This is a tiny opening in the skin, with a complex underlying structure that nourishes the hair.

Sometimes, a hair gets trapped under the skin before it leaves the follicle, resulting in an ingrown hair. At other times, a hair grows out of the follicle but curls back on itself and reenters the skin.

When hair becomes trapped underneath the skin, it can irritate the skin. It also blocks the hair follicle, trapping various substances in the pore. A cyst can develop.

Skin cysts often contain keratin, a protein that keeps skin strong and flexible. But sometimes, cysts arise from trapped bacteria or inflammatory response to an infection.

To reduce the risk of cysts developing from an ingrown hair, people can try the following:

• Use shaving cream and aftershave to soothe the skin. A range of shaving products are available for purchase online.
• Shave with a sharp razor only.
• Moisturize well with a rich lotion when the skin is dry or after shaving. Compare aftershave lotions online.
• Exfoliate dull, dry skin before shaving.
• Shave in the direction of hair growth.
• Do not shave over irritated or red skin.

Risk factors

Anyone can develop ingrown hairs. Risk factors for developing ingrown hairs include:

• Hair removal techniques: Shaving, waxing, and plucking can irritate the skin. After shaving, the hair that grows back may have a sharper edge, making it easier for it to grow into the skin.
• Very dry skin: Dry and dead skin can accumulate over a hair follicle, trapping the growing hair underneath.
• Pressure or friction: This can be a problem, particularly in an area already vulnerable to ingrown hairs. By irritating the skin, it can make ingrown hairs more likely.
• Having coarse, curly, or thick hair: This type of hair is more likely to curl back under the skin when it exits the hair follicle.

Share on PinterestDry skin may indicate that the problem is not a cyst.

When a lump appears in an area where there is body hair, it may be because a cyst has formed around an ingrown hair.

A person should look for a small red bump with a hair in it that slowly grows into a bigger lump. Many cysts of this type develop in areas covered in razor burn.

Some signs that the problem might not be a cyst include:

• a mole that has changed shape or color, or becomes swollen
• red or irritated patches on the skin
• the skin is peeling or has dry patches
• a skin injury, even a small one from a splinter or minor cut, as this could mean a skin infection
• the cyst has no clear borders (normally, cysts are round lumps, so an unusually shaped swelling, or one that changes shape, could be something else)
• there are many painful ingrown hairs, which could be due to a bacterial infection in the hair follicles
• the skin is very dry with many small bumps that can have heads, as this could be a condition called keratosis pilaris

When to see a doctor

It is easy to mistake a harmless cyst for a more serious skin condition. Anyone who has a cyst that does not clear up after a week or two should see their doctor.

Prompt treatment can be lifesaving in the case of skin cancer, serious skin infections, and other dangerous skin problems.

Preventing ingrown hairs is the best way to prevent this type of cyst from developing. However, if cysts do appear, they are usually harmless and often go away on their own.

People who frequently develop cysts, razor burn, or ingrown hairs should ask their doctor about strategies for reducing the occurrence of these annoying skin conditions.

In most cases, a few changes in a person’s skin care routine can significantly reduce the risk of ingrown hairs and the related irritation.

Read this article in Spanish.

Folliculitis: treatment, diagnosis, symptoms

Folliculitis is an infectious process that develops in the middle and deep sections of human hair follicles. Pathology is accompanied by the formation of multiple pustules with purulent contents. The causative agent of the disease can be bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. As the infection progresses, the number of pustules on the patient’s skin increases. When the primary focus is opened, ulcers form, and when they heal, small scars form.

General information

Pathology is widespread among residents of countries with high humidity and air temperature. Such climatic conditions contribute to the spread of infectious lesions of the hair follicles. The risk group is represented by socially disadvantaged segments of the population: a person’s non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene leads to the active reproduction of pathogens on the skin.

Often the causes of folliculitis are superficial inflammation of the follicles – ostiofolliculitis. The spread of infection in the lower parts of the follicle leads to the formation of purulent pustules.

Reasons for the development of pathology

In 70% of cases, inflammation of the hair follicles develops under the influence of staphylococci and streptococci. Somewhat less often, Pseudomonas, causative agents of syphilis and gonorrhea, or fungi of the Candida species become the causes of the disease. Molluscum contagiosum and herpes zoster viruses are less common causes of folliculitis. About 10% of clinically recorded cases of inflammation of the hair follicles are manifested against the background of the activity of parasitic mites Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis.

Pathogens enter the follicles through damaged areas: scratches and abrasions. Persons suffering from itchy dermatitis and excessive sweating are susceptible to infection. The weakening of the patient’s immunity leads to the penetration of the infection into the hair follicles. For this reason, dermatologists recommend preventive measures for men and women diagnosed with diabetes and chronic infections. Often the disease manifests itself in HIV-infected people and patients taking immunosuppressants.

Types of pathology

In the process of diagnosing folliculitis, dermatologists determine the form of the disease that the patient suffers from. So, the staphylococcal type of pathology is often localized on the face of men, affecting the chin and the skin around the lips. Infection occurs in the process of shaving bristly hair.

The pseudomonas form of the disease is the result of bathing the patient in hot water with an insufficient level of chlorination. The heat opens up the pores for pathogens to enter. Foci of inflammation are formed on the face and upper body of a child or adult.

The syphilitic type of pathology develops against the background of secondary syphilis. Typical symptoms of this form of folliculitis are the formation of areas of bristly hair loss in men and multiple pustules on the temples in women.

The herpetic type of hair follicle infections affects the skin of the chin and nasolabial triangle of patients. It is characterized by the formation of large vesicles in the follicular orifices.

The candidal form of the pathology manifests itself when occlusive dressings are applied to the patient’s skin, preventing pathogenic microflora from entering the wound on the chest.

The gonorrheal type of the disease becomes a complication of gonococcal infection. Pustules form in the perineum (in women) and on the foreskin (in men).

Folliculitis caused by ticks can be localized on any part of the human skin. The activity of Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis leads to the formation of clusters of small pustules.

Symptoms of pathology

Symptoms of folliculitis in men and women are the same in most forms of the disease – dermatologists prescribe similar treatment for patients of both sexes. The most pronounced sign of an infectious lesion of the hair follicle is a single pustule filled with purulent contents, the center of which is permeated with hair. After a few days, the formation opens on its own, separating a small amount of pus. In place of the pustule, an ulcer with a dense bloody-purulent crust is formed. The healing of the resulting wound leads to the formation of a focus of hyperpigmentation or a scar.

In 80% of clinically diagnosed cases of the disease, multiple pustules form on the skin of patients. Common places of their localization are the face, scalp, armpits, pubis, inner thighs. Severe soreness and itching appear after the formation of a large accumulation of pustules. In the absence of medical care and refusal to comply with the rules of personal hygiene, the patient may experience complications: abscesses, phlegmon and hydradenitis.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis is made by a dermatologist. The doctor examines the patient, during which he performs dermatoscopy. The study of damaged hair follicles using an optical device allows you to establish the depth of penetration of pathogens into the structures of the dermis. Samples from pustules obtained during the examination are subjected to laboratory tests. The study of biomaterials in the laboratory is performed to identify the causative agent of the infection. If signs of gonorrhea or syphilis are detected, the doctor directs the patient for PCR testing.

Differential diagnosis allows doctors to exclude drug toxicoderma, pink lichen, streptococcal impetigo, furunculosis and ostiofolliculitis from the patient’s history.

Treatment

The tactics of treating folliculitis is determined by the doctor, taking into account the type of disease identified in the patient. With a bacterial type of pathogens, antibiotic ointments are indicated for adults and children. The fight against pathogens of a fungal nature is carried out with the help of antifungal agents. Antiviral drugs are used to combat the herpetic form of the disease.

Local therapy in the treatment of folliculitis localized on the face is effective at the initial stage of the disease. When multiple pustules appear, the patient will need to treat the rash with alcohol solutions of brilliant green or fucarcin. You can stop the spread of infection with regular treatment of the skin with salicylic or boric alcohol. An auxiliary therapeutic measure is ultraviolet irradiation of the body and limbs of a child or adult.

The complicated course of the pathology requires complex therapy aimed at treating the underlying cause of folliculitis – gonorrhea or syphilis.

Diagnostics and treatment of folliculitis in Moscow

JSC “Medicina” (clinic of Academician Roitberg) has all the necessary equipment for the diagnosis and treatment of infectious lesions of the hair follicles. Patients are admitted in a modern diagnostic complex, built with the latest advances in medicine.

Questions and answers

Which doctor treats human hair follicle infections?

– Treatment of pathology is carried out by a dermatologist. With a complicated course of the disease, the patient may need to consult with other doctors – a venereologist, an immunologist, a general practitioner.

Are there measures to prevent folliculitis?

— Adults and children are advised to avoid contact with chemicals that can lead to skin damage and the penetration of pathogens to the hair follicles. Persons suffering from diabetes and increased sweating should carefully observe the rules of personal hygiene.

Is the infection transmitted from a carrier to a healthy person?

– The probability of infection of a healthy person upon contact with a carrier of the disease exists. For this reason, dermatologists do not recommend that children and adults share towels and personal hygiene products.

What is an epidermal cyst, its causes and treatment || Centromed Medical Center

Epidermal cyst or atheroma is a cavity limited by a capsule, which is filled with sebum and horny masses. It occurs more often in young and middle-aged people, regardless of gender.

Epidermal cyst – causes

The mechanism of development of the pathological process, in which epidermal sebaceous cyst is formed , consists in blockage of the duct of the sebaceous gland, while its secret accumulates. Over time, the volume of accumulated sebum increases, horny masses, which are exfoliated epidermal cells, join. There are several reasons for the development of such a formation:

• Metabolic disorder, which leads to a thicker consistency of sebum with blockage of the gland ducts.
• Inflammatory processes of the skin (including acne or acne, as well as inflammation of the hair follicles) – lead to edema, which reduces the diameter of the excretory ducts of the glands.
• Traumatization of the skin, followed by scarring, while the connective tissue compresses the ducts of the sebaceous glands.
• Insufficient hygiene – leads to clogging of the sebaceous glands with horny skin scales.
• Excessive passion for various cosmetic products or their incorrect use.
• Hormonal imbalance, in which the regulation of the formation of sebum, as well as its release to the surface, is disturbed.
• Genetic predisposition.

Simultaneous exposure to several causes significantly increases the risk of developing such a bulky skin lesion.

Manifestations of atheroma

Atheroma has characteristic manifestations in the form of a painless bulge that is not soldered to the surrounding tissues and does not differ in color. The diameter of the formation is different, it can reach 10 cm in diameter. Favorite localization of atheroma – skin areas rich in sebaceous glands (face, scalp, ears). Somewhat less often, sebaceous atheromas can form on the skin of the back and chest.

Accession of inflammation (it provokes the penetration of a bacterial infection) is characterized by reddening of atheroma, the appearance of pain. Further development of the infectious process causes the accumulation of pus in the atheroma cavity, which can go outside through the fistula, or cause purulent fusion of surrounding healthy tissues.

Epidermal cyst – treatment

The formation has a benign course, it is characterized by slow progression and growth. However, the risk of bacterial infection with the development of a purulent process or a cosmetic defect is an indication for the radical treatment of this disease, which consists in its removal.