If you have ever experienced a beard rash, you’re not alone. In fact, it affects more men than you might think! Learn what causes it, what causes beard rashes, and how to treat and prevent it. Fortunately, beard rashes are typically harmless. In fact, they heal on their own. In some cases, however, beard rashes may indicate an infection, either fungal or bacterial. Luckily, home remedies for beard rashes are usually sufficient, although in these cases, medical intervention may be necessary.
Symptoms
If you’ve recently grown a beard, you may have experienced the discomfort of a beard rash. This is a rash caused by bacteria that infect the hair follicles in your beard. The bacteria can get into the hair follicles through shaving, which compromises the skin’s barrier and allows bacteria to enter. The result is a red, itchy rash that often develops into a pus-filled blister.
Although beard rashes are generally harmless, men should see their GP to rule out infection. In some cases, the rash could be a bacterial or fungal infection, which your GP can diagnose through skin scrapings and hair samples. In such cases, your doctor will prescribe an antifungal cream or tablet to treat the underlying infection. Until the infection clears up, you should keep the affected area clean, and avoid sharing towels with others.
Causes
The causes of beard rashes can be varied. Most of them are harmless and heal on their own with time. However, in some cases, the rash can be a sign of infection. This infection may be fungal or bacterial. In such cases, a visit to a dermatologist is required to get a proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the possible causes and how you can prevent them.
The first possible cause is a fungal infection. This is a very common cause of beard rash, and most men will develop this infection eventually. A GP will be able to take skin scrapings and hair samples for testing, and will prescribe an antifungal cream or tablet to treat the rash. To prevent recurrence, keep the area clean. And avoid using towels shared by others.
Treatment
While beard rashes are usually harmless, it is important to treat them properly. To reduce itching and irritation, moisturize the affected area with a gentle men’s moisturizer. You can also apply a topical ointment that contains hyaluronic acid. However, be careful not to shave the rash because shaving can worsen it. Also, continue moisturizing your face with a gentle antibacterial soap.
It is difficult to treat fungal infections, but your GP can prescribe an anti-fungal cream. Topical creams do not work well on deep lesions. Your GP will examine you and test hair samples for fungus to determine its cause. In some cases, laser hair removal may be recommended. Nevertheless, you should always consult a doctor before trying any topical solution on your beard. If you think that it’s fungal infection, you should avoid shaving the affected area until treatment has been completed.
The most common medicine for this condition is topical corticosteroids. These medicines can help relieve the irritation, as they have anti-inflammatory properties. Using an oatmeal bath also helps. It uses colloidal oatmeal (which is different from the oatmeal that you eat for breakfast) as a base. Take a bath with it for the recommended amount of time. After a bath, pat dry with a clean towel.
Prevention
The key to prevention of beard rashes is keeping it moisturized. Too many hirsute dudes don’t moisturize their beard region, which can clog it with potentially irritating nastiness. It’s important to moisturize the beard area to prevent it from becoming inflamed. You can apply topical hydrocortisone to the affected area to relieve itchy, scaly skin.
In most cases, beard rashes are harmless and go away on their own. If you have this rash, you may want to moisturize the area and stay out of it for a few days. However, some beard rashes are an indication of an infection, either bacterial or fungal. In such a case, a visit to the dermatologist is recommended. This is to ensure that the rash does not recur.
You can also avoid developing beard rash by shave less frequently and choosing a safety razor. Double-edge safety razors prompt an angle of cutting perpendicular to your face, ensuring a close shave. Safety razors like The Plow(r) 2.0 also promote a safe shave. Some types of skin are sensitive to shaving, so you should avoid the area completely or shave your beard every other day.