Ingrown hair on scrotum sack, testicles, crotch, and the area around them is commonly caused by improper shaving techniques. When the skin hair is growing, sometimes it fails to break through the skin as required and grows sideways into the skin. When this happens, Ingrown hair is formed. In this article, we will discuss the causes, solutions, removal and treatments of ingrown hair on the testicle sack.
When the hair on a shaved area is growing, the hair follicles have a tendency of curving back to re-enter the soft skin. This causes irritation and bumpy pimples on the skin surface. Most of these bumps are caused by coiled hair that fails to fully emerge to the outer skin surface.
Proper hygiene of the groin area, in general, should always be maintained and it is also important to use cotton undergarments that do not encourage curled moist hair on the scrotum and crotch.
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Ingrown hair on scrotum symptoms
The symptoms that relate to ingrown hair might easily confuse one with bumps from STDs, boils, or herpes. Some of the symptoms discussed below can help in relating to ingrown hair and dealing with them.
- Pus- filled pimple-like swellings
- A hard irritating bump that may be filled with puss
- Itchy swollen bumps on the crotch area
- Pain around swollen sharp and stiff hair on the scrotum
- Skin darkening
- Embedded hairs on the scrotum sack and crotch
What causes ingrown hair on the balls or scrotum?
Before we discuss the causes, it is important to know that ingrown hair on the testicle sac is sometimes confused with sexually transmitted diseases and infections.
- When ingrown hair is infected, they may appear as puss-filled sore and painful bumps on the testicle sac just like some STD’s and STI’s.
It is therefore important to seek medical advise in-case the ingrown hair is persistent and won’t go away when they keep coming back and are persistent. You may also see more about small pimples or lumps on testicles here bump on the scrotum.
While poor shaving techniques remain a major cause of ingrown hair on scrotum and crotch, it is important to note that other factors like waxing, dry skin oily skin among others that are discussed in this article, can also cause ingrown hair on the scrotum and the crotch area.
1. Improper shaving techniques
Shaving is the easiest way of removing hair on the scrotum and crotch areas but when it is not done properly, it can cause a lot of ingrown hair on these arrears.
2. Coarse hair
Coarse hair on the soft scrotum skin can end up growing sideways will trying to protrude as they develop. They then tend to remain in the skin and only a small part of the tip shows above the skin.
3. Dry scrotum skin
When the scrotum skin is dry and soft hair that is developing may not be able to penetrate over it to the surface as requires. This then remains below the skin and turns out to be an ingrown hair. Keeping the scrotum sack and the soft crotch are moist is always important to avoid this.
4. Waxing
Some people prefer waxing the crotch area to help them completely get rid of any hair in that area. It is important to note that this area has very sensitive skin compared to the legs or any other part thus waxing should be done with lots of care in this area.
Waxing can cause skin damage on the crotch area making it vulnerable to bumps with ingrown hair in them.
5. Too much oil on skin
Oily skin contributes to the blocking of the pores that allow the hair to grow out of the skin. The Oil covers the pores such that when hair grows, they are blocked right at the point when they should break free thus causing an ingrown hair.
6. The buildup of dead skin cells
Dead skin cells form layers on the scrotum and crotch skin. These dead cells accumulate in many cases due to improper bathing habits. The layers formed on the skin give the growing hair a difficult task in penetrating the pores to the surface of the skin causing them to coil back in and this results in ingrown hair.
7. Ordinary soap
Using ordinary soap to shave the scrotum or the balls can cause ingrown hair on due to the dry coat that it leaves on the soft skin if not rinsed properly. It is advisable to use shaving creams to leave a soft moist environment to avoid any hair development difficulties.
8. Blunt razor blades
When shaving the scrotum or crotch using blunt blades, it forces one to go over the same area over again. This may push some of the shaved hair into the pores causing then to block. It may also cause bumps on the scrotum surface that are unpleasant to look at.
9. Curly hair causes ingrown on scrotum sack and crotch area
Men with curly hair are prone to ingrown hair on the scrotum surface and crotch areas. When shaved, curly hair tends to curl back into the skin and this aids the blockage of pores as the skin ends up being too moist due to the friction. When pores are blocked, new hair cannot come to the skin surface.
Ingrown hair cyst, boil and bump under the skin
Ingrown hair on the scrotum can be accompanied by several other factors like a cyst, boil, small, or large persistent bump that won’t go away. In some cases, these symptoms can be easily confused with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). If a dermatologist is not consulted in such cases, wrong medications and prescriptions might be given and this can lead to serious life-threatening results.
Ingrown hair Cyst and boils
When the ingrown hair causes a bump, it may be easily infected turning it into a boil or a cyst. When infected, the bump may form pus. When any colored discharge is noted in the process of removing ingrown hair, it is advisable to seek medical advice to clear any doubts or confusion.
Stubborn ingrown hair Bump under skin
After shaving, the irritation on the skin may cause one to itch and block the open pores in the process. When these pores are blocked and infected, they might develop bumpy pimple-like lumps on them. Any new hair that grows in these areas may also end up not reaching the surface.
Home remedies for ingrown hair on scrotum and crotch
Before using any home remedies or removing the ingrown hair, it is important to do a close examination of the scrotum to identify the problematic hair for easy removal and treatment. Below are some remedies that can help remove and relieve any painful ingrown hair.
1. Mild soap scrub and soak
Applying some mild soap to make a foam that will soak the area while scrubbing using a soft brush can help in coaxing the follicle making it more visible and easy to remove.
- Clean the affected area of the scrotum or the crotch
- Using your hands, rub soap on the area to lather and make a foam.
- Use a brush with soft bristles to gently scrub the ingrown hair for about 5-10 minutes
- Dry the water off using a clean towel to observe hygiene on the genitals
- Gently pull off the loose exposed ingrown hair.
2. Warm water compress
This helps in softening the hair in the affected area and opening the hair follicles. Warm water compress on the area also boasts the blood circulation which helps in easing the pain and reduce any swelling that causes bumps on the scrotum.
- Add warm water (not hot) in a bucket and soak a clean washcloth in it
- Gently place the washcloth on the area that has ingrown hair on the scrotum
- Gently hold for about 5-10 minutes
- Repeat 2-3 times a day for better results
3. Tweezers
Tweezers help a lot when pulling ingrown hair from the scrotum or crotch. The visible end of the ingrown hair on the skin is held by the tweezers and can be easily pulled out with less pain compared to pulling using the fingernails.
- Use methylated spirit to sanitize the tweezers to avoid any infection
- Identify the exposed end of the hair
- Gently the ingrown hair out using the tweezers.
4. Shaving creams Keeping a moist scrotum and crotch skin
People with very tender skin are more prone to ingrown hair that won’t go away and it is advisable to seek the advice of dermatology on good creams to use while shaving. These creams help in keeping the shaved areas moist and allows smooth growth of new hair without any difficulties.
Keeping a constant and fairly moist skin is important in helping the soft hair in these areas protrude to the surface without any difficulties. This directly helps in avoiding any ingrown hair in the process.
- Clean the scrotum sack or the crotch area and dry with a clean towel
- Apply the recommended cream to lather on the surface
- Shave using a single blade razor especially for curly hair
- Rice of the hair and clean the area with warm water and soap.
- Dry with a clean towel and apply any recommended moisturizing after cream
5. Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is rich in antibacterial and anti-fungal properties that can naturally cure any infection on the bumps that result from ingrown hair. It also helps in reducing the itching effect but should not be used on skin that is prone to allergies.
- Dilute a small amount of tree oil with water
- Soak a cotton bud in it and use it to gently apply on the affected area
- Let it settle for about 10 minutes then rinse off with warm water.
- Keep the affected area reasonably aired and dried.
Treatment and removal of ingrown hair on scrotum and crotch
Before treating or removing the ingrown hair, it is important to do a close examination of the scrotum to identify the problematic hair for easy removal and treatment.
1. Exfoliation
Exfoliation is the process of removing the top layer of dead skin cells from the natural skin. This allows easy and free hair growth. Exfoliation also helps in opening the blocked skin pores and softening of the skin. This should be done using gentle recommended scrubs.
2. Sharp razor blade
It is important in using sharp blades while shaving the scrotum or crotch. This ensures that there is no re-shaving over and over again and keeps the pores from unwanted blockage.
3. Shaving direction while removing hair
Shaving direction can help in avoiding ingrown hair on scrotum, testicles, and crotch occurrences. Before shaving, it is important to identify the hair growth direction. Shave in the direction of hair growth as this helps a lot in reducing irritation and chances of hair growing back into the shaved skin.
According to the mayo clinic “Hair structure and direction of growth play a role in ingrown hairs. A curved hair follicle, which produces tightly curled hair, is believed to encourage the hair to re-enter the skin once the hair is cut and starts to grow back. Shaving creates sharp edges in this type of hair, especially if the hair is dry when shaved”.
4. Antibacterial ointment and steroid creams
The bumps caused by the ingrown area may be infected making them feel itchy with a colored discharge. In this case, the doctor will prescribe antibiotics or steroid creams depending on the diagnosed type of infection.
What to know about ingrown hair on testicle sac
Ingrown hair on scrotum that won’t go away should never be ignored. In most cases, they should be kept in check after shaving. In case you do not have a history of soft hair or ingrown hairs, then you may try using home remedies. If this doesn’t work and the bumps are still persistent, seek medical advice.
Another point to note is a bad smell coming out of the ingrown hair infection fluids. Fluids that are accompanied by a serious foul smell may indicate fungal infections. have them checked immediately.
Also, be keen on bumps or small pimples that keep spreading. Ingrown hair bumps are not infectious and cannot spread since they are caused by the hair at one spot. If these bumps continue spreading, these may not be ingrown hair but other infections.
