When a mysterious painful lump appears down there, it’s easy for panic mode to set in.
Two of the most common causes of genital sores are ingrown hairs and genital herpes.
One is an annoying but harmless condition; the other is an infection that requires medical intervention.
How do you know which one you have?
It depends on the symptoms and what occurred prior to them.
The curly nature of pubic hairs makes them more prone to re-entering the skin after shaving.
Typically, an ingrown hair causes a bump that may or may not be pus-filled.
It may itch or be painful, and the area around the lump may darken.
You may also see the actual hair under the skin.
Unlike herpes, ingrown hairs aren’t infectious and don’t recur on their own.
The area may itch or tingle before the sores actually emerge.
The initial infection may also be accompanied by flu-like symptoms like headache or fever.
