Ingrown hair turned into deep wound

[tiffanyhb]

hi-
I  had an ingrown hair right where my underwear rests...I popped it....Puss and what seems like other tissue came out of the wound. Now I  have this wound...which is not really large but looks kinds deep. It doesn't seem infected but I have had it for almost 1 month now. It doesn't seem to be making any progress. I keep it very clean and change the gauze on it 2-3 times a day. I stopped excercising a couple days ago to see if not stretching my leg helps. I stopped going into my jacuzzi and shower 2 times a day to keep my body clean. I put hydrogen peroxide and neosporin onit maybe 1-2 times a week but I heard overdoing may be causing it not to heal. I am frustrated with the speed of healing...I feel like this is taking precedence over doing anything else in my life especially active things....

If anyone can help me that would be so awesome! I live in a small town and none of the doctors here are not taking new patients.

[Rowena Santos, MD]

Hi,

Folliculitis or infection of the hair follicle is a common occurrence. In particular, deep folliculitis starts deeper in the skin surrounding the hair follicle and affects the entire hair follicle. Boils and carbuncles belongs to this. These occur when hair follicles become deeply infected with staph bacteria.

Your description of the wound typically points to a boil which usually appears suddenly as a painful red bump that develops a yellow-white tip that finally ruptures and drains. Boils generally clear completely in about two weeks. Small boils usually heal without scarring, but a large boil may leave a scar.

It is good that you are cleaning the wound and covering it with gauze, however, with the duration of 1 month, an antibiotic may be needed as well as to prevent any complications. It is best to see a doctor for proper evaluation and management. Doctors are there to help old and new patients alike.

Take care and keep us posted.