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Navigate: FAQ Home Page > Hair & Shaving > Itching while hair grows back
Posted on: 03/01/2007
Question
I'm in high school and for vacation I shaved my vaginal area. Actually I shaved all of it, now the hair is growing back and it itches terribly. I have had a yeast infection before and it was more internal. This itch is all over the outside. Is there anything that can relieve the itch?
Answer
Your skin is most likely irritated from the regrowth of the hair. You can try 1% hydrocortisone two or three times per day to help relieve the itching and you should avoid shaving that area for two months. It is also possible to have folliculitis which is an infection of the hair follicle. With a mild infection, the skin may be pink, mildly tender and have small bumps. Sometimes a topical over-the-counter antibiotic such as polysporin, neosporin or bacitracin used two or three times per day can help if the folliculitis is mild. If you have painful hard red bumps or pus-filled bumps, then you may have a more significant infection that would require oral antibiotics. If this is the case or if the itch is not improving after one week of hydrocortisone, you should consult your doctor.
Answered By:
Jane Auh, MD
Jane Auh, MD