Ingrown Hair?

Hey Doc,

I just noticed a large red, raised pimple looking thing on my inner thigh.  There is a hair coming out of the middle of it.  Sometimes the skin around it is red.  The center appears to be a faint brown but its hard to tell.  I've uploaded a photo of it to my account (I'm not sure how to post it in this question).  If you could look at it and let me know if I should be concerned I'd appreciate it.  I'm worried it might be infected or something and that I might need some sort of surgery to remove it.  Please advise.

[Jasmina Jankicevic, MD, MSc, CCRP]

Hello again, Sr2727!

Solitary pustule (pimple) centered by hair and surrounded by hypepigmented macule (probably post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) and intermittent redness, could be a clinical description of chronic folliculitis or even furunculus (boil).

Your dermatologist may decide to prescribe topical therapy only or drain the lesion (if it is more like a boil) by making a small incision and then recommend topical treatment. Not often systemic therapy is initiated as well.


Wishing You Optimal Health and Happy 4th of July!
Dr. Jasmina Jankicevic