Folliculitis Barbae is an inflammatory skin condition better known as razor bumps. They are very common in shaved areas of the skin.
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Beards and legs are common places for razor bumps
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They appear as small red, raised papules
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They can be painful, but the main concern with razor bumps is how is they look
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Almost anyone can get Razor bumps, but they are most common among men and women who have thick, coarse, or curly hair.
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Studies have shown that razor bump reports are more common in men of African descent.
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Treatment is going to involve patient education regarding the prevention of Folliculitis Barbae
Causes
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The main cause of a razor bump is hair that goes back into the skin after a shave
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This can lead to irritation and infections forming the red raised bumps on the skin
Risk Factors for Developing Razor Bumps Include:
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Gender
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Males are prone to razor bumps on the face because of beard shaving
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Females are more prone to razor bumps on the legs, also because of shaving
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Hair Type
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Certain hair types can make razor bumps more common, they include:
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Coarse hair
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Curly Hair
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Some shaving techniques can also lead to razor bumps. Techniques to be avoided include:
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Shaving too fast
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Shaving with the wrong razor
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Shaving with a blunt razor
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Shaving with dry skin
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Shaving against the grain of the hair
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Shaving with a dirty razor
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Not using aftershave
Razor Bumps Remedy
The following treatments can be used to deal with razor bumps.
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Tea Tree Oil – has antimicrobial properties that help with the infection
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Mild Exfoliant that contains Salicylic Acid – Salicylic Acid also has antimicrobial properties
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Antibacteria/Antifungal soaps and washes
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Aloe Vera – helps to relieve the symptoms
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Topical hydrocortisone cream – helps to address the inflammation
When razor bumps, it is also important to:
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Give the skin rest from shaving for a week or a couple of days
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Avoid irritating the skin any further
Prevention
Aside from treating razor bumps, it is also very important to know how to know how to prevent them, some preventive methods include:
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Use appropriate shaving techniques
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Avoid multi-blade shavers
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Use clean shavers, disinfect before and after use
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Using a straight razor instead of multi-blade shavers
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Using an electric shaver instead of a regular one
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Moisturize the skin before shaving, use shaving creams or shave after a shower.
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Don’t shave dry skin
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Use aftershave – has antimicrobial properties that can help prevent bumps
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Use Depilatories – common used for shaving legs or armpits, these are chemical solutions or creams that remove hair from the skin without shaving.