How to Treat Underarm Ingrown Hairs

If you are prone to ingrown hairs and have several of them as opposed to one or two on occasion, you might want to talk to your dermatologist about medication to get rid of them. For mild cases, your doctor might recommend a topical antiseptic, but an antibiotic might be in order for an infection that just won't quit.

Antiseptics kill germs that can cause infections. If you apply an antiseptic to the area where you have an ingrown hair, it will wipe out the bacteria and get rid of the germs causing an infection, or at least reduce your chances of getting an infection. Antiseptics can be purchased over the counter and usually include ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide, isopropanol, iodine and povidone-iodine [source: PlanetRx].

If little white-headed pimples or clusters of small red bumps start popping up where you've been shaving, you might have infected hair follicles, or folliculitis [source: Mayo Clinic]. Though these infections usually clear up on their own in a few days, those that are particularly stubborn might require an antibiotic of either the oral or topical variety.

Medications can help kill germs and eliminate infections, but they're not your only option for getting rid of ingrown hairs. Keep reading to find out more ways to remove and avoid those nuisances.

When you notice an ingrown hair, proceed with caution. If you pick at the skin or use tweezers to yank the ingrown end out, you are likely to do more harm than good. You could end up with an infection or irritate the area even more.

Your best bet is to soak the affected skin for at least 10 minutes in warm water or a salt-water solution to soften it up. Softening the skin will allow you to remove the hair more gently. Next, if you decide to try to extract the hair, get a magnifying mirror so you have a better view of what you're doing. You don't want to poke at the wrong point in your armpit. Sterilize a needle with alcohol and try to insert it under the part of the hair above the surface. Then carefully pull the needle up to release the hair [source: Bolognia et al.].

If you're worried about bacteria and want to eliminate the ingrown hair naturally, use a solution of white vinegar diluted with water. It would be tough to soak your armpits unless you sink down into the tub, so try soaking a washcloth and placing it under your arm [source: Alai].

To help relieve the itchy irritation caused by ingrown hairs, you can use a hydrocortisone cream, which is sold over-the-counter, or an oatmeal lotion. Also, consider shaving with an electric razor while your skin heals, so as to avoid causing yourself even more discomfort.

Remember that when you have an irritation under your arm, you should be careful about the deodorant or antiperspirant you use. Any products applied to open or inflamed skin can make matters worse.

Underarm ingrown hairs are a pain, but there are ways for you to prevent and treat them. To gather more information on ingrown hairs under your arms, check out the links on the next page.