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Razor burn appears anywhere on your body which usually undergoes shaving. Your vaginal areas are not an exception. How do you know that it is razor burn? Once you shave your labia, the external skin in the genital area may have an unexplainable irritation. It might be razor burn. If it has a reddish color, it’s a razor burn.
The bumps can appear at your bikini, labia or around your thighs, don’t panic! Check it out! Sometimes, it might not mean that you have sexually transmitted diseases (STD). It may be a razor burn. You can’t be too sure till you consult a specialist. In this write-up, you will learn the typical symptoms of a razor burn so that you’ll differentiate between them.
How to know razor burn
Look for signs like fever or body aches, then examine the nature of the rashes. If they are smooth or jagged at the edge, don’t conclude yet. Check if the sores are opened or closed. If after checking them out, you find out that they are painful, and tender to touch, proceed to check if the pain is slight or too sensitive. That will make you differentiate between STD and razor burn. For example, ingrown hair and razor burn can cause slightly painful bumps. If the pains are accompanied by fever, body aches and headache, they might be due to genital herpes. Now if the bumps are jagged or smooth, but painless, it might be a skin tag. Once you notice that they are rough and jagged like cauliflower, it might be a genital wart.
Go ahead and check whether the bumps are closed or opened. Closed bumps are related to pimples, rashes or razor bumps, but if they are open sores with scab all over, they are a sign of herpes. Never fail to consult a doctor for a diagnosis if the case is complicated.
Prevention of razor burn
- You can prevent it by trimming before shaving to stop hairs from getting caught in the razor. Use a sterilized pair of scissors and cut it down to at least a quarter-inch.
- Another preventive measure is by taking a hot shower to soften the hair follicles. This will make it smoother for a razor burn free shave.
- The use of exfoliates will eliminate dead skin cells and bring ingrown hairs to the outer layer. Use a body brush to exfoliate during shower. Addition of an acid-based salicylic exfoliate will help too.
- Always wash with an antibacterial that is fragrance-free to protect you from infection whenever you cut yourself accidentally.
- Use shaving products like Aloe Vera to prevent razor burns too. They are soothing ingredients.
- Shaving in the direction of the growth and pulling out the skin in those tight corners before shaving in sections is preventive also. If you are experiencing significant discomfort, don’t shave for some time so that irritation will lessen. In cases of severe itching or pain, consider the following home remedies.
Home Remedy for razor burn
- This is a way of using available things to get fast relief. For example, you can get anything cool to compress on the spot. Cool compress will soothe a hot skin and eliminate redness. You can do it by wrapping a couple of ice cubes in a towel and applying and pressing it on the area for some minutes regularly for some days.
- Warm compress is another style of doing the compress, but it will be with a warm towel and press it on the area with razor burn. Administer little quantity of honey to the affected area. Allow it for about fifteen minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.
- Wear cotton or lose fabrics- skinny jeans and tight bottoms are not encouraging in this case. Use more comfortable cotton for ventilation. It can also help to reduce sweating in those areas.
- Another way to treat this at home is by taking a colloidal oatmeal bath. It will soothe itching and eliminate irritation faster. This is because of its phenol content which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties cleansing, moisturizes and soothes your skin. Soak in the oatmeal bath daily for fifteen minutes.
Natural Remedies
You can go natural if home remedies are not doing the work. Heat up your corner store or kitchen cabinet to ease irritation. Then proceed thus:
- Apple cider vinegar: It has anti-inflammatory attributes that can help eliminate irritation. It has acetic acid which prevents infection. Use vinegar to wet a cotton ball and place it on the irritated areas for some days.
- Aloe Vera: This is another traditional way of healing razor burn. If you administer freshly cut Aloe Vera or its gel to the area, it will relieve you of burning sensation. However, make sure that the gel is fragrance and color free.
- Witch hazel: It is another natural remedy for this condition. It is a natural antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent. Wet the cotton ball with it and put it on the irritated area. Do this for sometimes in a day and wait for miraculous healing.
- Tea tree oil: This is another aid to razor burn. It is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. If you dip the cotton ball into it and place on the irritated area, it will help you.
- Over-the-counter treatment can relieve you of your razor burn too. They are in the form of the cream. Ensure that it has hydrocortisone. Hydrocortisone helps to reduce swelling and skin redness. Finally, while you are undergoing treatment, don’t shave the affected area until it is healed.
Summing Up
Don’t panic much when it is razor burn. It is very common and easy to settle though it might be stressful, especially when you don’t know how the area is. Feel free to handle it as we have said and you will be relieved. Ensure that the symptoms are related to razor burn by checking in with the doctor once it is giving you a tough time. Then relax with the measures above, it will clear up fast.