red bump in bikini area

[bebe44]

I have this res bump that seem to start with a pimple and a white head but now its been over a week and it feels like a bump and the red area the skin is dry and peeling it has grown  sometimes it hurts other times it doesnt. this happened after I shaved the bikini area. I don't know what to do or what doctor to see.

[Dr_Aparna]

Hi,
This is an ainflamed hair follicle seen in a condition called folliculitis. Folliculitis starts when hair follicles are damaged by friction from clothing, blockage of the follicle, shaving.

In most cases of folliculitis, the damaged follicles are then infected with the bacteria Staphylococcus (staph).
It starts as a pimple or pustule located around a hair follicle that may crust over. occuring  on neck, axilla, or groin area.

If left alone, it will resolve and the skin peeling is seen as part of the  resolution process.
You can applyan antiseptic ointment over the lesion which is adequate for most cases.
Topical antibiotics such as mupirocin or neomycin containing ointment can be applied on it if it does not respond to the antiseptic.

ref:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folliculitis

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi

Differentials for this may include folliculitis, an ingrown hair or pseudofolliculitis barbae, or a fungal infection. I suggest that you avoid shaving the area. This may only worsen the condition. Shaving may cause hairs to grow and bend inward. This leads to ingrown hairs which may cut and irritate the skin. Wash the area with warm water and keep it dry and clean at most times. Apply mupirocin, an antibacterial cream over the area once daily and see if this responds. After 5 days, if this does not respond, have your doctor see this. If discharge is present and if the bumps increase in number, then we may need oral antibiotics for this.