What to do for beard hair problems?

I've always had a problem with ingrown hairs, as I have very straight and fine hair that sometimes just doesn;t seem ablt to 'push through'. They are a pain, but I can deal it.

What I'm struggling with though is a more recent (about 5 year) issue with getting a hard lump (generally around jaw line, on cheek, below side-burn or just below lip). I know it won't go away naturally (unlike normal spots) and if I can squeeze it without destroying my skin what comes out is either

1) a little egg-like thing with a hair attached (often translucent, yet I have very dark hair)
2) a load of sebum eventually followed by an immature hair
3) a hair with most of it surrounded by a sort of jelly-like substance
4) sometimes just a complete mess of hair(s), a hard lump of something, bit of blood
5) just a sort of jellp tube
6) a really thick, almost animal-hair
7) nothing comes out, but I know there's something deep that will worsen over time

I just do not understand what's going on. Sometimes I get none for weeks, other times a few at the same time for a while. There doesn't seem to be any pattern/dietary issue. I've taken to a bit of a routine of proper face cleaning every night with face scrub, a clean pillow and sleeping on my back, but it still occurs, if less often. The only real way of dealing with the 'spots' I've found is if there is an obvious pore involved. If so I can insert a very sharp needle into the pore (i.e. without breaking the skin) and then if I squeeze gently one of above will come out - usually to return at some point). If there's no pore, I'm learning to leave it alone as only messes up my face.

This has been a nightmare for me for years - and at times left my face a warzone and me not wanting to face the world. I'm not in a job where I can grow a beard. I really don't want to pick (i.e I'm not obsessive), but I know that if I leave them they only get worse.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
The bumps that you are having are due to sebaceous cysts but you should not introduce such sharp needles in them as it may cause infection as well as scarring. A sebaceous cyst is a closed sac occurring just under the skin which contains a "pasty" or "cheesy" looking substance called keratin. Blocked sebaceous glands, swollen hair follicles and excessive testosterone production will cause such cysts.

Generally no treatment is required but they become painful then it means they are infected,Then surgical excision by traditional wide excision, minimal excision, and punch biopsy excision may be required.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[mhr578]

Thank you for your information which actually makes sense since I've had cysts in other places over the years...just not on my face or in multiples.  I'm curious if the cysts start out as ingrown hairs and why there are very thick hairs underneath sometimes.  I also wonder if the punch excision causes scarring and do I have that done right when I see the red lump appear?  I really appreciate your time in answering my questions.  

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I can understand your concern. Yes sebaceous cysts can contain hair and usually contain dead skin and other skin particles. Sebaceous cysts form when a sac just beneath the skin surface, usually a hair follicle, fills with an oily, white, semisolid material called sebum. Secondly the method that you are adopting of inserting pins is dangerous and you may invite infections causing it to form an abscess or cellulitis both of which are dangerous and troublesome. So please stop doing it.

I hope it helps. take care and regards.