do i need to see a doctor?

[scared98765]

I got a full bikini wax the day before yesterday and the morning after [yesterday] i woke up with tons of little white head looking pimples where the hair follicles would normally be.  i've been researching online and am scared that i have the higher version of folliculitis, where if medically untreated it will affect my other organs.  is this what i have?  i think this only because regular folliculitis seems to only be little red bumps, not little white pustule bumps.  or is this a normal reaction that some people get and I just need to wait it out for a few days? i have been applying tend skin liquid solution on it in the morning and at night time [so yesterday morning, night, and this morning] with no improvements. I am embarassed to call the clinic and want to know if i can take care of this on my own. please respond asap. thanks.

[dan123]

i am a male and i can tell you "in my opinion" you havent got a thing to worry about, if I went in the bathroom right now and shaved my pubes with a straight razor the next day i would have a ton of what looks like little white heads where the hair is. "i know, i've done it"
It is your skin inflaming over the top of the hair causing almost an inflamedingrown hair, this basiclly means you are sensitive to straight razors and should try using a electric razor for your bikini line.
It will go away within a week or two, you'll see. dont use a straight razors anymore.

again im not the doc so this is just my 2cents.

[mishmosh]

Weird that you mention it, but I waxed my husband's back the other day and he had little pimple-like red marks that had little white heads on them the next day. I just figured he was irritated because of the waxing and then sweating, oils, etc built up.

[Kelly893]

My daughter also has folliculitis including the "pustles" as they call them except it is on her legs. She's had this for over a year now it's worsening. The doctor told us last year to use antibacterial soap and unscented lotions and to refrain from shaving as often as possible. Well, that didn't work but I hope to bring her to the DR soon this week. I'd wait a little while if it doesn't bother you too much and if it doesn't go away in 1-2 weeks, call. There are prescription lotions & meds available. Good luck. :)

[scared98765]

oh and this area is sensitive, ie when i move to stand up, my clothes are slightly painful to the area.  but there is no itchiness whatsoever.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

After a bikini wax, there is often redness in hair follicles.  This is indeed folliculitis, which just affects the skin.  I honestly don't know what you mean by a "higher version of folliculitis" that can affect other organs.  I don't know of such a thing.

If all the bumps have pus in them, I suppose a superficial infection is possible, though this is very uncommon after a wax--I don't recall ever seeing it.

Bottom line: call the clinic.  Why should you be embarrassed?

Best.

Dr. Rockoff