What does an ingrown pubic hair cyst look like? (2023)

How do I know if it's an ingrown hair or a cyst?

When a lump appears in an area where there is body hair, it may be because a cyst has formed around an ingrown hair. A person should look for a small red bump with a hair in it that slowly grows into a bigger lump. Many cysts of this type develop in areas covered in razor burn.

At first, you might notice a small pimple-like bump with a hair at its surface. It may also be red in color. Over time — if the ingrown hair doesn't go away — the small bump can transform into a much larger one. The resulting bump can be red, white, or yellow.

An ingrown hair near the vagina develops when the tip of a pubic hair folds back into the skin at the root. This can cause a painful pink or red bump to appear. The bump may be hard or soft and pus-filled. It can also become itchy, inflamed, or infected.

Oftentimes, an infection of an ingrown hair can start off as a red bump. As the infection progresses, you may see pus and the bump may grow larger. The area around the infected ingrown hair may also: appear red and irritated.

Treatment options

A dermatologist may recommend draining the fluid from the cyst by making a small incision. If a cyst becomes inflamed or infected, a doctor might suggest a steroid injection or antibiotics. Also, a steroid cream may help reduce swelling or irritation.

A vaginal boil (also called a furuncle or skin abscess) is a painful, pus-filled bump that develops under the skin in your pubic area. It usually happens when the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (commonly called staph) infects the sacs that contain the roots of your hair and oil glands (hair follicles).

It looks like a skin-colored, tan, or yellowish bump filled with thick material. It may become swollen, red, or painful if it's inflamed or infected.

In most cases, ingrown hairs usually heal themselves within one to two weeks with only minor irritation, as they eventually release from your skin as they grow longer. Infections can develop around the ingrown hair, causing pus formation, discoloration and pain, though.

You should never pop an ingrown hair cyst because it can cause infection and scarring. They may go away on their own, but if they hurt, become red, or ooze pus, see a healthcare provider.

A boil in the vaginal area often starts as a small red bump. It can resemble a pimple at first, but it may develop into a swollen, painful sore with a pus-filled white or yellow tip in a matter of days. Boils may remain small, but some can grow to the size of a walnut .

What does folliculitis look like on pubic area?

Folliculitis looks like a mosquito bite or raised bump. Vaginal folliculitis caused by ingrown hairs may look like a small splinter under the skin or a raised bump with a dark spot or line (this is the trapped hair).

Ingrown hair and ingrown hair cysts can appear anywhere the hair removal process happens, often in the pelvic region. Cysts are painful and unfortunately won't go away on their own due to the fluid trapped under them. Once an ingrown hair cyst reaches this stage, it's wise to refer your client to a dermatologist.

Start by applying a warm compress to the area, since the heat will soften the skin, says Dr. Solomon. Then, very gently, exfoliate the skin trapping the hair. “Move a washcloth or clean, soft-bristled toothbrush over the area in a circular motion for several minutes,” she suggests.

Vaginal inclusion cysts are the most common. These may form due to injury to the vaginal walls during birth process or after surgery. Gartner duct cysts develop on the side walls of the vagina. Gartner duct is present while a baby is developing in the womb.

Warm compresses

Once the area surrounding the cyst is clean, apply a warm compress to the area. The warmth and moisture helps encourage the trapped substance to work its way out of the hair follicle without the need for popping the cyst. You can also use a soft warm, moist washcloth for the same results.

Vulvar cysts

Your vulva has a number of glands, including oil glands, Bartholin's glands, and Skene's glands. A cyst can form if these glands become clogged. The size of cysts varies, but most feel like small, hard lumps. Cysts aren't usually painful unless they become infected.

If you discover a lump on your vaginal wall, make an appointment with a doctor or other healthcare provider. They can help you identify the cause and, if necessary, develop and help you follow a treatment plan.

Cysts feel like soft blisters when they are close to the skin's surface, but they can feel like hard lumps when they develop deeper beneath the skin. A hard cyst near to the surface of the skin usually contains trapped dead skin cells or proteins.

Ingrown hairs can cause groin lumps, especially if they become infected. The areas where each of your hair strands grow out of your skin are called follicles.

What does a cyst look like?

What a cyst looks like. A skin cyst is a round, dome-shaped lump. It's yellow or white, often with a small dark plug through which you might be able to squeeze out pus. Cysts can range in size from smaller than a pea to a few centimetres across.

Boils and cysts can both look like bumps on your skin. The main difference between a cyst and a boil is that a boil is a bacterial or fungal infection. Most cysts are slow-growing and benign (noncancerous), and they aren't contagious. Boils, on the other hand, can spread bacteria or fungi on contact.

In short, vaginal boils develop when a hair follicle becomes impacted, causing an infection to develop. The vulva has many specialized glands and pores that can become blocked due to a type of bacteria known as Staphylococcus aureus (staph).

A boil can heal on its own. However, it may become more painful as pus continues to build in the lesion. Instead of popping or picking at the boil, which can lead to infection, treat the boil with care.

Blocked hair follicles range in severity from mild to severe. They start out looking like small and irritated red pimples. Over time, they may look like pus-filled lumps, cysts, or boils. They may abscess and drain pus and blood.

People may sometimes mistake psoriasis and folliculitis for other skin conditions, including: fungal skin infections. eczema or dermatitis. pityriasis rosea.

Folliculitis appears as small, red, and sometimes painful bumps caused by bacteria that infect a hair follicle. It can occur on the labia majora. This can happen because of shaving, waxing, or even friction. Folliculitis often goes away by itself.

Ingrown hair cysts occur when a hair follicle gets blocked and the hair grows into your skin instead of outward. You should never pop an ingrown hair cyst because it can cause infection and scarring. They may go away on their own, but if they hurt, become red, or ooze pus, see a healthcare provider.

It looks like a skin-colored, tan, or yellowish bump filled with thick material. It may become swollen, red, or painful if it's inflamed or infected.

To remove an ingrown hair, gently exfoliate your skin. Exfoliating your skin removes a dead layer of skin cells and helps release ingrown hairs. Use warm — not hot — water and small, circular motions to wash your affected areas with a washcloth, exfoliating brush or exfoliating gel or scrub.

Should you squeeze a cyst?

Do not be tempted to burst the cyst. If it's infected, you risk spreading the infection, and it can grow back if the sac is left underneath the skin.

A vaginal cyst is a fluid-filled lump located on or near the vagina. Vaginal cysts are usually caused by childbirth, injury to the vagina or blocked glands. Your healthcare provider can diagnose vaginal cysts during a physical exam and recommend treatment.

Try applying a hot, wet compress to the cyst a few times a day. The heat will help pull out the pus, allowing the cyst to drain. This can relieve pain and itching. You might also try soaking the area in a warm, shallow bath.

A Bartholin cyst develops when a blockage occurs in a Bartholin gland in the vagina. This blockage causes a lump that can cause irritation and pain during walking, sitting or sex. Bartholin cysts can resolve on their own over time. If it becomes infected, it may need treated by a healthcare provider.

Cysts feel like soft blisters when they are close to the skin's surface, but they can feel like hard lumps when they develop deeper beneath the skin. A hard cyst near to the surface of the skin usually contains trapped dead skin cells or proteins.

Start by applying a warm compress to the area, since the heat will soften the skin, says Dr. Solomon. Then, very gently, exfoliate the skin trapping the hair. “Move a washcloth or clean, soft-bristled toothbrush over the area in a circular motion for several minutes,” she suggests.

Warm compresses

Once the area surrounding the cyst is clean, apply a warm compress to the area. The warmth and moisture helps encourage the trapped substance to work its way out of the hair follicle without the need for popping the cyst. You can also use a soft warm, moist washcloth for the same results.

Do not squeeze the cyst or poke it with a needle to open it. This can cause swelling, redness, and infection. Always have a doctor look at any new lumps you get to make sure that they are not serious.

If you have a sebaceous cyst, do not attempt to pop it yourself or with another person's help- this could lead to an infection, or you might not remove the entire cyst and then require more extensive dermatological treatment down the line.

What does an infected cyst look like?

If a cyst has become infected, it may look red due to inflammation. Infected cysts can also have a whitish appearance due to the presence of pus. The pus may smell unpleasant. A person should see a doctor if they suspect any infections.