Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Ingrown hairsandHSV 1 or 2(herpes) have much in common. They look like red bumps in the genital or anal region, are filled with fluid, and can be painful. However, there are key differences between the two conditions. For example, ingrown hair cysts often appear singularly, whereas herpes blisters grow in clusters.
This article discusses the similarities and differences between ingrown hairs and herpes.
Evgen_Prozhyrko/ Getty Images
From red bumps toinflammationand itching, ingrown hairs and herpes can often look and feel similar.Both conditions are painful and affect the genital or anal areas.
Ingrown hairs have external pus-filled blisters that appear singularly and may have a dark mark or shadow in their center, indicatingpubic hairgrowing under the skin. They typically clear up within a week.
Herpes lesions can be internal and external, with fluid-filled blisters and sores that often occur in clusters. They do not have a dark center and take longer to heal. Other symptoms of herpes include:
Although some symptoms of genital herpes and ingrown hairs are similar, the cause of each condition is different.
Ingrown Hair
Ingrown hairs usually appear afterhair removal, such as shaving, tweezing, or waxing. Because the hair is shortened or removed, the sharp tip of a new follicle can grow into and under the skin instead of up and out. Ingrown hair may also be referred to asrazor burnor shaving bumps.
Herpes
Diagnosis: How Do I Know If This Bump Is Herpes or Ingrown Hair?
Diagnosing a genital red mark comes down to a few key factors regarding recent history, other bodily symptoms, and healing time. Schedule a visit to your healthcare provider or local clinic for an official diagnosis.
An ingrown hair is usually large, irritated, red, and painful. Because of the location, sweat and build-up can cause the clogged follicle to become infected. This is one key distinction in diagnosing ingrown hair. The puss that comes out of it will be white instead of a herpes lesion with a clear or yellow fluid.
You’ll notice more ingrown hairs after grooming, so if spots occur immediately after waxing or shaving, it’s probably not herpes. The last factor you can consider is the length of time a cyst takes to heal. Ingrown hairs should begin to clear up within a week. Herpes outbreaks last two to four weeks.
If you’ve recently been sexually active with a new partner, herpes transmission could have occurred. But since herpes can lay dormant in the body for years without symptoms, this isn’t the only diagnostic tool you should use.Look for other signs, as well. For example, do you have a fever? A headache? Does it burn when you pee?
Treatments vary drastically between ingrown hairs and herpes, so getting a proper diagnosis is critical. While the discomfort of each condition can be managed with home remedies, herpes has no cure and can easily be transmitted to sexual partners.
Ingrown hair usually heals within a week or so. Speak with a healthcare provider if it looks badly infected or lasts longer than two weeks. They can prescribeantibiotics. To help ease pain and shorten healing time, consider theseat-home treatmentmethods:
Once diagnosed, the treatment methods are put in place to help prevent outbreaks and transmission. Prescription treatments include oral antivirals that can be used daily to prevent future outbreaks and shedding.
For immediate relief from outbreaks,consider these home remedies:
Prevention methods for these two conditions are considerably different. Preventing ingrown hair is a matter of strategic hair removal and grooming. Preventing the spread or outbreak of herpes is a daily and personal health responsibility.
Dead cells on the skin’s surface can clog hair follicles and cause ingrown hair. Some people regularly experience ingrown cysts after routine hair removal. To prevent cysts from developing, consider adding the following to your hair removal routine or look intopermanent removal.
Preventing herpes starts with sexual health education and safer sex practices. Knowing exactly how and when herpes can be transmitted is key to keeping yourself and others safe. Get smart about contraception. If you’re interested in sexual activity, implement a strict condom policy, regular testing, and open communication with sexual partners.
If you’re already diagnosed,antiviral drugscan help reduce the risk of flare-ups and lessen the risk of transmission. If you have open and active sores avoid sex, kissing, oral, or sharing objects like drinking glasses.
Summary
Even though blisters of genital herpes and ingrown hairs may look similar, the underlying conditions are very different. Ingrown hair is a temporary skin condition that will clear up in about a week. Herpes is a chronic STI with no cure. Diagnosing genital blisters can be tricky. If you recently waxed, you may rule out herpes. On the other hand, if you were sexually active with a new partner, you might have contracted an STI. Either way, schedule an appointment with a healthcare professional to get tested and officially diagnosed.
7 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.Vassantachart JM, Menter A.Recurrent lumbosacral herpes simplex virus infection,Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings.2016;29(1), 48-49. doi:10.1080/08998280.2016.11929356Johns Hopkins Medicine.Genital herpes.Ogunbiyi A.Pseudofolliculitis barbae; current treatment options.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019;12:241-247. doi:10.2147/CCID.S149250Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About genital herpes.Cedars Sinai.Ingrown hairs.Sauerbrei A.Herpes genitalis: diagnosis, treatment and prevention.Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 2016;76(12):1310-1317. doi:10.1080/08998280.2016.11929356National Health Service.Ingrown hairs.
7 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.Vassantachart JM, Menter A.Recurrent lumbosacral herpes simplex virus infection,Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings.2016;29(1), 48-49. doi:10.1080/08998280.2016.11929356Johns Hopkins Medicine.Genital herpes.Ogunbiyi A.Pseudofolliculitis barbae; current treatment options.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019;12:241-247. doi:10.2147/CCID.S149250Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About genital herpes.Cedars Sinai.Ingrown hairs.Sauerbrei A.Herpes genitalis: diagnosis, treatment and prevention.Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 2016;76(12):1310-1317. doi:10.1080/08998280.2016.11929356National Health Service.Ingrown hairs.
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.
Vassantachart JM, Menter A.Recurrent lumbosacral herpes simplex virus infection,Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings.2016;29(1), 48-49. doi:10.1080/08998280.2016.11929356Johns Hopkins Medicine.Genital herpes.Ogunbiyi A.Pseudofolliculitis barbae; current treatment options.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019;12:241-247. doi:10.2147/CCID.S149250Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About genital herpes.Cedars Sinai.Ingrown hairs.Sauerbrei A.Herpes genitalis: diagnosis, treatment and prevention.Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 2016;76(12):1310-1317. doi:10.1080/08998280.2016.11929356National Health Service.Ingrown hairs.
Vassantachart JM, Menter A.Recurrent lumbosacral herpes simplex virus infection,Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings.2016;29(1), 48-49. doi:10.1080/08998280.2016.11929356
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Genital herpes.
Ogunbiyi A.Pseudofolliculitis barbae; current treatment options.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2019;12:241-247. doi:10.2147/CCID.S149250
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About genital herpes.
Cedars Sinai.Ingrown hairs.
Sauerbrei A.Herpes genitalis: diagnosis, treatment and prevention.Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd. 2016;76(12):1310-1317. doi:10.1080/08998280.2016.11929356
National Health Service.Ingrown hairs.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
