My skin is really bothering me

[Iamugly]

I have had eczema since I was a little baby. It has become much better now but since a few years my skin has totally discolored and I have alot of ugly bumps which never go. I am 16 years old. I do regulary get waxed. My arms are really bad, and so are my underarms. I have never worn a pair of shorts or kapris because my legs are hideous and filled with these bumps all the time. My leg skin is light in color so in alot of places on the leg I can see hair growing BENEATH my skin. I hate this, I have been to alot of skin doctors but they just give me creams that don't work. I know this is most probably ingrown hair BUT if it can be something else please let me know. I will post some pictures for a better idea. I also have these ingrown hair bumps and very thick hair in my pubic areas (down there and in my underarms). It is a hideous sight and I feel very uncomfortable with my self. Please help me.
The pictures I am putting are of without being waxed for a long time because waxing is of no use to me, I just feel uglier when I get it done because the bumpy ugly skin is as bad as having hair all over it. I really want to be like all the other girls and get to wear nice clothes and stuff ;'(. Please help me out.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Without examination,confirmation of a diagnosis is tough,but the symptoms can be due to folliculitis and ingrown hair Folliculitis is the inflammation of one or more hair follicles. The condition may occur anywhere on the skin.

Folliculitis starts when hair follicles are damaged by friction from clothing or blockage of the follicle. In most cases of folliculitis, the damaged follicles are then infected with the bacteria Staphylococcus (staph).They appear as red bumps with white top and can contain hair also.

Pls keep the area clean and apply some topical antiseptics. Also wear loose-fitting cotton clothing and use an antibacterial soap or mild soap like dove.Avoid any kind of cosmetics.Also exfoliate the skin at regular intervals with a mild exfoliant. Topical antibiotics such as mupirocin or neomycin containing ointment are also useful in folliculitis.In case the symptoms persist then oral antibiotics may be needed.Pls consult a dermatologist in that case.

I hope that helps.Kind regards.