BEWARE OF THIS | An ingrown hair almost cost him his life, this is when it can be deadly

Although ingrown hairs may heal on their own over time, do not ignore symptoms of infection.

We have all encountered ingrown hairs at least once in our lives, for which we did not need any medical intervention. Although this phenomenon is more common in men, a large number of women also face problems with ingrown hairs.

They are often harmless

An ingrown hair is a hair that has curled back into the skin, rather than growing from the surface of the skin. It is medically known as “pseudofolliculitis barbae” and is most common in people with thick, coarse or curly hair.

In most cases, ingrown hairs are completely harmless and disappear on their own, but in rare cases they can become infected. Infected ingrown hairs can be very painful, so it’s best not to shave for a while to let your skin heal.

The problem of ingrown hairs

“If the ingrown hair or the area around it becomes very painful, hot, red or swollen, you may want to see your doctor. This is especially important if you have developed a high fever or feel feverish,” says the World Health Organization.

In such situations, doctors apply a sterile needle to release the ingrown hairs, after which a cream or tablets are given to treat the infection. However, if the ingrown hair is left untreated, it can lead to other complications, which could potentially be fatal.

An ingrown hair can cause a staph infection, and if the infection enters the bloodstream, sepsis occurs. The World Health Organization says that sepsis is responsible for one in five deaths worldwide. Although it is unlikely to get sepsis from a staph infection, it is still possible. Regardless, if a staph infection is not diagnosed and treated in time, it can lead to hospitalization and even certain surgeries.

One example is a 40-year-old Ohio man whose surgery in 2016 lasted six hours, all because of complications from an ingrown hair. Three years after the appearance of the ingrown hair, which he did not treat, a cyst appeared on his leg, due to which he was in a coma in the hospital for four months.

How is it treated?

The bristles can be gently pulled out with a warm cloth and a soft toothbrush. After soaking the washcloth in warm water, apply it to the ingrown hair to warm and relax the pores and follicles. Rubbing the cloth in a gentle circular motion can help loosen the lint.