Most people do not require treatment of hair bumps as they usually disappear on their own. However, if the spots become infected, they can become extremely painful and need medical attention, such as sterilizing a needle or applying antibiotic wash.
Ingrown hairs are most frequently caused by improper shaving techniques or dry skin, often when using an unsharpened razor or not using enough shaving gel. They grow back into the skin, resulting in a painful red bump, which usually develops into itself over time.
Causes
There can be numerous causes of pain in the scrotum. One possibility is an ingrown hair. Epididymitis (coiled tubes behind each testicle) can also be painful and cause bleeding in the penis or genital area, as well as severe pelvic pain, which, if left untreated, can become life-threatening and lead to fever, difficulty urinating, and severe pelvic discomfort.
Herpes infections may also contribute to scrotal discomfort. They can cause itching, burning, and pain in the scrotum and vagina, making their presence known.
Scrotal calcinosis is when nodules of calcified skin develop on the scrotum, usually during late teens, that are uncomfortable, itchy, and may bleed when scratched. Health care providers should drain them as necessary. Large, painful, fluid-filled lumps known as cysts may also form; these cysts must be drained using a needle, tweezers, or rotating medical device before surgery can remove them permanently.
Symptoms
Ingrown hairs on the scrotum can be painful, itchy, and appear red. They may become infected and lead to fever, swelling, and pus discharge; these bumps can be removed by making a small incision or draining pus with a sterile needle.
Stopping shaving or waxing until the ingrown hairs have cleared can help avoid future episodes of this problem. Furthermore, washing thoroughly and using an exfoliator like baking soda paste to wash the area may reduce skin irritation while helping the bumps heal faster.
Men should conduct regular self-exams of their testicles and scrotum to detect lumps, hardness, or size differences that might indicate undescended testicles (cryptorchidism) or cancer. The examination should occur after a shower or bath when skin temperature and relaxation levels are optimal; for easy scrotum self-exam, use the index finger and middle fingers under one testicle while rolling it gently between the thumb and forefinger.
Treatment
An ingrown hair on the scrotum can result from improper shaving methods. When misused, hair fails to protrude from its source and instead curls back inward, causing painful bumps on its path to emanation.
This area of the body is delicate and susceptible to pain. Proper shaving techniques should be followed to minimize irritation. A sugar scrub and baking soda paste are recommended as an exfoliator, as both have soothing properties that help relieve inflammation.
If a hair becomes embedded in your skin, medical assistance should be sought immediately, as this could result in a cyst. A health care provider can drain the cyst to alleviate its symptoms; medications, including retinoid and steroid creams, should only be taken under supervision by medical personnel. Furthermore, health care professionals may also recommend home remedies that reduce ingrown hairs in the scrotum or surrounding areas.
Prevention
Shaving with a dull blade or using improper techniques is often responsible for ingrown scrotum hairs, leaving strands with blunt or uneven tips that curl back into the skin and curl inward. Waxing or tweezing may also create such bumps; if left alone, they may grow inward or cause infection.
Pimples or genital warts may also cause red bumps on the scrotum; any spots, itch, or bleeding may indicate warts that need to be diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
Loose-fitting underwear may help to prevent scrotal calcinosis, an accumulation of calcium deposits that cause pain, itching, and burning sensations in the scrotal area. A healthcare professional may drain these lumps for relief while prescribing medications to address severe symptoms and treat their root cause.
