Ingrown hair is a fairly common problem and most people have suffered from this at some point or other. An ingrown hair occurs when you shave too close, causing the follicle, which has been obstructed, to grow sideways. The hair can bury itself in your skin and in some cases, this can cause your skin to react with an inflammation. Although this is a common problem, if your ingrown hair is infected and the infection refuses to clear up, it is advisable to consult your doctor.
You will find that using a hot compress is generally an effective treatment for an ingrown hair. Keep the compress as hot as you can stand it, reheating the towel when necessary. You should ensure that you apply the hot compress on the affected area for ten to fifteen minutes. Do this twice a day. After a couple of days of this treatment you will find that your pain is gone. The hot treatment will soften the skill and allow the hair to grow out properly If the area continues to look inflamed and is still painful, then you should seek the advice of your doctor.
In order to prevent future incidents of ingrown hair, you should ensure that you don't shave too close to the surface. Generally it is believed that holding the skin very taut can cause the shave to be too close, thus cutting of a hair too close to the surface and resulting in an ingrown hair.
answered by M W