Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAppearanceCausesTreatmentDurationComplicationsPreventionSeeking Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Appearance
Causes
Treatment
Duration
Complications
Prevention
Seeking Medical Care
This article discusses the appearance, causes, and ways to combat beard burn for both partners.
Willie B. Thomas / Getty Images
What Does Beard Burn Look Like?
Beard burn is a type of contact dermatitis that develops because offriction. It’s not the same as other types of beard irritation, such asrazor burn.
If beard burn is more severe, it can cause a beard rash to develop as well. Some symptoms associated with beard burn include:
The look of beard burn can differ depending on skin tone and severity, but it’s typically associated with a red, dry, and itchy patch of skin in which a lot of friction occurs during kissing.
What Type of Burn Is Beard Burn?
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What Causes Beard Burn?
The most common cause of beard burn is kissing. When people kiss, their faces tend to rub together, leading to the rash from friction from skin-to-beard contact. Friction from engaging inoral sexmay also lead to beard burn.
Can You Get an STI from Kissing?
How to Treat Beard Burn
There are several ways to treat beard burn, depending on its location. They include:
On the Face
Beard burn on the face is often treated effectively using moisturizing and calming products. They include:
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On the Genitals
Beard burn on the genitals requires a different approach because you can’t always use the same moisturizers on the genitals as you can on the face. Some possible treatments include:
Avoiding IrritantsWhile it may be difficult, if you have a beard burn, you should avoid the activity that caused it until it clears up. That typically includes kissing and oral sexual activity.
Avoiding Irritants
While it may be difficult, if you have a beard burn, you should avoid the activity that caused it until it clears up. That typically includes kissing and oral sexual activity.
What Not to Do
Avoid the use of creams or ointments that contain antibiotics unless otherwise directed, as well as products withhydrogen peroxide, as they can cause further irritation.
How Long Does It Take for Beard Burn to Go Away?
The duration of a beard burn will depend on its severity. A mild case will clear up much faster than a more severe one. There is little clinical evidence on how long a beard rash lasts, but some older research suggests that superficial burns, such as mild friction burns, should heal anywhere from three days to three weeks.
Can Beard Burn Cause Complications?
This is because the burn can lead to minor open cuts in the skin. If bacteria or germs from an STI make their way into the body through the cut, the infection will spread.
Signs of STIsIf you contract an STI from beard burn, there will be symptoms other than the rash and discomfort. They include:Unusual discharge from the vagina or penisPain during urinationSkin growths or lumps around the mouth or genital areaItchiness in the genital areaWarts in your mouth, throat, or around the genitalsBlisters and sores on or around the genital areaUnusual vaginal bleeding
Signs of STIs
If you contract an STI from beard burn, there will be symptoms other than the rash and discomfort. They include:Unusual discharge from the vagina or penisPain during urinationSkin growths or lumps around the mouth or genital areaItchiness in the genital areaWarts in your mouth, throat, or around the genitalsBlisters and sores on or around the genital areaUnusual vaginal bleeding
If you contract an STI from beard burn, there will be symptoms other than the rash and discomfort. They include:
8 At-Home STD Tests
How to Prevent Beard Burn
Preventing beard burn can be simple yet challenging. The only surefire ways to do so include:
Remove the Beard
Avoid Kissing and Oral Sex
Avoiding heavy kissing or oral sex while you have a beard is another way to prevent beard burn from occurring.
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
While beard burn is generally mild and can clear up with some at-home remedies and time, there are some instances in which you should contact a healthcare provider. They include:
Summary
Treatment options include OTC pain relievers, creams and ointments, and antihistamines to reduce itchiness. Since beard burns can cause complications, such as a heightened risk of contracting an STI, it’s vital to see your healthcare provider if you experience a beard burn that doesn’t go away or a rash with blisters develops.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Purnamawati S, Indrastuti N, Danarti R, Saefudin T.The role of moisturizers in addressing various kinds of dermatitis: A review.Clin Med Res.2017 Dec;15(3-4):75-87. doi:10.3121/cmr.2017.1363Stacey SK, McEleney M.Topical corticosteroids: Choice and application.Am Fam Physician.2021 Mar 15;103(6):337-343.Reynertson KA, Garay M, Nebus J, Chon S, Kaur S, Mahmood K, Kizoulis M, Southall MD.Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) contribute to the effectiveness of oats in treatment of itch associated with dry, irritated skin.J Drugs Dermatol.2015 Jan;14(1):43-8.American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Contact dermatitis overview.Connor CJ. Eppsteiner EE.Vulvar contact dermatitis.Proc Obstet Gynecol.2014;4(2).Taking care of burns.Am Fam Physician.2000;62(9):2029-2030Luster J, Turner AN, Henry JP Jr, Gallo MF.Association between pubic hair grooming and prevalent sexually transmitted infection among female university students.PLoS One. 2019 Sep 4;14(9):e0221303. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0221303UK National Health Service.Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Contact dermatitis tips for managing.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Purnamawati S, Indrastuti N, Danarti R, Saefudin T.The role of moisturizers in addressing various kinds of dermatitis: A review.Clin Med Res.2017 Dec;15(3-4):75-87. doi:10.3121/cmr.2017.1363Stacey SK, McEleney M.Topical corticosteroids: Choice and application.Am Fam Physician.2021 Mar 15;103(6):337-343.Reynertson KA, Garay M, Nebus J, Chon S, Kaur S, Mahmood K, Kizoulis M, Southall MD.Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) contribute to the effectiveness of oats in treatment of itch associated with dry, irritated skin.J Drugs Dermatol.2015 Jan;14(1):43-8.American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Contact dermatitis overview.Connor CJ. Eppsteiner EE.Vulvar contact dermatitis.Proc Obstet Gynecol.2014;4(2).Taking care of burns.Am Fam Physician.2000;62(9):2029-2030Luster J, Turner AN, Henry JP Jr, Gallo MF.Association between pubic hair grooming and prevalent sexually transmitted infection among female university students.PLoS One. 2019 Sep 4;14(9):e0221303. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0221303UK National Health Service.Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Contact dermatitis tips for managing.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Purnamawati S, Indrastuti N, Danarti R, Saefudin T.The role of moisturizers in addressing various kinds of dermatitis: A review.Clin Med Res.2017 Dec;15(3-4):75-87. doi:10.3121/cmr.2017.1363Stacey SK, McEleney M.Topical corticosteroids: Choice and application.Am Fam Physician.2021 Mar 15;103(6):337-343.Reynertson KA, Garay M, Nebus J, Chon S, Kaur S, Mahmood K, Kizoulis M, Southall MD.Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) contribute to the effectiveness of oats in treatment of itch associated with dry, irritated skin.J Drugs Dermatol.2015 Jan;14(1):43-8.American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Contact dermatitis overview.Connor CJ. Eppsteiner EE.Vulvar contact dermatitis.Proc Obstet Gynecol.2014;4(2).Taking care of burns.Am Fam Physician.2000;62(9):2029-2030Luster J, Turner AN, Henry JP Jr, Gallo MF.Association between pubic hair grooming and prevalent sexually transmitted infection among female university students.PLoS One. 2019 Sep 4;14(9):e0221303. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0221303UK National Health Service.Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Contact dermatitis tips for managing.
Purnamawati S, Indrastuti N, Danarti R, Saefudin T.The role of moisturizers in addressing various kinds of dermatitis: A review.Clin Med Res.2017 Dec;15(3-4):75-87. doi:10.3121/cmr.2017.1363
Stacey SK, McEleney M.Topical corticosteroids: Choice and application.Am Fam Physician.2021 Mar 15;103(6):337-343.
Reynertson KA, Garay M, Nebus J, Chon S, Kaur S, Mahmood K, Kizoulis M, Southall MD.Anti-inflammatory activities of colloidal oatmeal (Avena sativa) contribute to the effectiveness of oats in treatment of itch associated with dry, irritated skin.J Drugs Dermatol.2015 Jan;14(1):43-8.
American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology.Contact dermatitis overview.
Connor CJ. Eppsteiner EE.Vulvar contact dermatitis.Proc Obstet Gynecol.2014;4(2).
Taking care of burns.Am Fam Physician.2000;62(9):2029-2030
Luster J, Turner AN, Henry JP Jr, Gallo MF.Association between pubic hair grooming and prevalent sexually transmitted infection among female university students.PLoS One. 2019 Sep 4;14(9):e0221303. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0221303
UK National Health Service.Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Eczema types: Contact dermatitis tips for managing.
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