Ingrown Hair - How Do You Remove Them

Triathlon Forum
1

I’ve got three that are keeping me from being able to sit comfortably for more than about 20 seconds at a time and I’m going insane. I can’t get these things to come to the surface to pull them out. A million thank yous to anyone who can help. What’s your trick?

Please, save your time if you want to just tell me to take my bibs off when i’m done riding and shower right away or use chamois cream, etc. I’m good about that stuff, promise. I just need help dealing with these little bastards.

2

You probably won’t want to hear my response, but I dealt with a particularly bad one that was right on an edge of the seat, and I couldn’t sit down for more than a few seconds either. I never ended up finding something that worked, so I went to the dermatologist, had him cut it out, and took two weeks off to let it heal. My fitness took a hit and it was far from free (insurance ftw), but it was 100% effective…

3

very hot water bath will help
.

4

Here’s what my doc, who is a cyclist, told me:

  1. Do not lance, poke, prod, or otherwise stab it.
  2. A compress with the hottest water you can stand on a washcloth.
  3. Neosporin or similar (even if it’s not open or broken)

Personally, I do 2 and 3 until it gets to a point that I can get away with 1, using a sterilized needle (lighter comes in handy) and a quick swab with rubbing alcohol and more neosporin afterwards. (A small mirror and good flexbility helps!)

Having the doctor take care of it is always the last resort, given the healing time, but sometimes it’s what you gotta do. When you’re 12 days into a 16 day race and nationals is 2 weeks away and getting half-lit and trying to lance it in the bathtub doesn’t work, it might be time to go to the doc. YMMV.

An intermediate step is to get a steroidal cream prescription, which should help it clear up sooner. USADA approved, so no worries there.

Of course the steps outlined above, combined with staying the hell off the bike for a few days, is the best bet. Better to spend a few days running and swimming more than to give up several days with a big incision in your nether regions.

5

^^ Agreed with this guy. Hot water compress will soften up the skin and usually allow the hair to come out (warning – it will be ridiculously curly and about 3" long).

I, however, often use the sterilized needle method + Neosporin if I’m SURE that it’s an ingrown hair and not some other irritation.

If it won’t go away after a week, go to the doctor. I had to get an antibiotic for a persistent, infected sore (and I didn’t even try to lance that one!).