Question: 

I shaved my private area for the fist time. Now I have white dots filled with fluid and they hurt. What should I do? 

Answer by Anna Haggart, University of Nebraska Medical Center third-year medical student:

If you shave with a razor, you’ve probably experienced it – little white or red bumps that may linger for a couple of weeks or more. Is this normal, and are they cause for concern?

Often described as razor burn, these bumps may be associated with mild tenderness or itching, but in most cases, are not a cause for concern. Typically, the bumps arise due to irritation of the skin from a process called pseudofolliculitis barbae. This occurs when the ends of shortly cut hairs become buried under the surface of the skin. It is especially common in areas such as the bikini line/groin, where hair is coarser and more prone to coiling in on itself. As these buried or coiled hairs grow, they cause inflammation of the surrounding skin and form small, swollen bumps.

Eventually, normal growth of the hair will lead to the natural release of the embedded tip above the surface of the skin, and the irritated bumps will resolve on their own. This process may take several weeks.

There are some skin conditions that can mimic razor burn and may warrant treatment. These should be evaluated by your doctor or dermatologist. One sign that you may need to see a dermatologist is the presence of pus-filled pimples, commonly known as whiteheads, which are caused by bacterial infection of the follicle. These pimple-like spots can be seen in razor burns.. Infected follicles may be tender and cause the skin immediately surrounding them to be red as well.

Another cause for concern is the presence of fluid-filled blisters. Red, painful blisters containing clear fluid may be a symptom of herpes. Herpes lesions usually start with a group of burning or tingling, painful blisters that may “pop” or rupture before eventually crusting over. 

If you are prone to ingrown hairs, the best way to prevent them is often to stay away from close shaves or waxing. A hair trimmer leaves hair a little longer and is a great choice for people with razor bumps. Hair removal creams work well for some people, but can cause irritation.

For those who still wish to shave, here are some things you can do to help prevent irritation:

• Use an electric razor or bikini trimmer which doesn’t shave hairs as close to the skin.
• Use a single-bladed razor. 
• Change out your razor blade frequently, as dull razors may tug on the hair follicles as they cut and cause more irritation, and dirty blades can increase the risk of infection. 
• Shave in the direction of hair growth as opposed to against it to minimize the amount of trauma to the hair follicle.
• Avoid stretching the skin as you shave, as this can contribute to hairs being retracted under the skin once the tension is released.
• Use a shaving gel or cream before you begin shaving to help the razor glide smoothly and protect the skin from scrapes or nicks.
• Shave with wet skin and a wet razor to help lubricate.
• Rinse the area after shaving to wash away any cut hairs, dead skin cells and remaining shaving products that could contribute to irritation.
• Avoid wearing clothing that is tight around areas you shave, or that may rub or chafe against the freshly shaved area.