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Ingrown hairs

Overview

Open all pages about Ingrown hairs

The main symptom of an ingrown hair is a raised bump on the skin, which may be itchy or sore. It's usually in an area where the hair has been shaved.

Things you can do to treat and prevent ingrown hairs include not shaving, wetting your skin before shaving, or using other hair removal methods.

Treatments your GP may offer you for ingrown hairs include removing the ingrown hairs, steroid cream, or antibiotic cream or tablets.

Ingrown hairs are hairs that have grown back into the skin, causing bumps that may be itchy or sore. You can usually treat and prevent them yourself.

Page last reviewed: 18/01/2023
Next review due: 18/01/2026