Gingers often sport red locks on their heads and eyebrows, so it seems natural that they would also wear red pubic hair – however, this is far from ordinary!
Causes
Hair color depends on the amount of pigment or melanin. Melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes in the skin and comes in eumelanin and pheomelanin. Redheads have more eumelanin than pheomelanin, making their head and eyebrow hair lighter than pubic areas.
Another cause could be folliculitis, an infection of the hair follicle. This condition typically manifests itself with itchy red or white bumps near the hair follicle and pain, itching, swelling, and a burning sensation in the affected area. People who shave or wax their pubic hair regularly are at an increased risk for folliculitis due to the close contact between the razor and skin.
Symptoms
Various factors, such as improper shaving techniques, skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema, or infections may cause pubic hair itchiness. Consulting with a doctor is crucial to adequately address these sources and avoid further irritation.
An itchy yeast infection in women may also cause itching in their genital area. Symptoms include cream-colored nodules in the hair and experience itching, odor, and burning sensations. Antifungal creams or shampoos prescribed by a physician could relieve such infections.
Pubic lice are another cause of itching in the groin area. Lice are tiny insects that reside on coarse human body hair around the penis and vagina. You can spot lice by looking closely at your pubic hair for signs of insects or eggs at its base. Over-the-counter treatments, creams, or shampoos may help treat the lice, but more vital prescription treatments might be necessary if these don’t work.
Treatments
Red pubic hair may go away independently or require treatment depending on its cause. Individuals suffering from vitiligo may benefit from therapy to return their natural color or topical medications. Those diagnosed with white piedra might consider prescription or over-the-counter antifungal medicines to address their fungal infection of hair follicles.
Ingrown hairs can also cause red bumps to appear on the pubic area. They occur when shaved or waxed hair curves back onto itself after shaving or waxing and enters back into the skin, leading to inflammation and irritation. People with curlier or coarser pubic hair are more prone to ingrown hairs.
Trichomycosis axillaris, a superficial bacterial infection of hair follicles, can result in yellow, black, or red nodules on hair shafts. Diagnosis can be made clinically or via wood lamp examination of Gram staining of concretions. Topical antibiotics or oral erythromycin may help treat symptoms.
Prevention
Redheads tend to have thinner skin than others and are more sensitive to cuts and itches. This makes them more likely to experience ingrown hairs. It is crucial to use gentle products and shaving techniques on the pubic area.
Use a razor with multiple guards and shaving cream/lubrication to avoid accidentally nicking yourself. Exfoliating beforehand can slough away dead skin cells and help your razor slice through hair more smoothly. Avoid shaving dry. Waxing can also provide long-term relief, though it may be more painful than shaving.
