Seeking Advice for a Shaving Injury
I'm a 21-year-old male, standing at 5.6 feet and weighing 71 kg. Recently, while shaving in a sensitive area, I got a small cut that seems to be having trouble healing. It keeps forming a scab, which then falls off repeatedly, and it's quite itchy as well. I'm looking for some advice or suggestions to help with this issue. Thank you!
Answers (1)
8/12/2025, 7:40:58 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're dealing with a small cut in a sensitive area that isn't healing properly and is causing some itching. This can happen after shaving, particularly if the area is delicate. Here are some key points and steps you can take to help your skin heal effectively.
Understanding the Issue:
Shaving can irritate the skin, especially if the area is sensitive. When a cut occurs, the body works to heal it, which involves forming a scab. Itching is a normal part of the healing process, but it can also lead to further irritation if the scab is disturbed frequently.
Next Steps for Healing:
-
Keep It Clean: Gently wash the area with mild soap and water daily. Pat it dry with a clean towel—avoid rubbing, which can exacerbate irritation.
-
Use a Moisturizer: Apply a fragrance-free moisturizer or a healing ointment like aloe vera or petroleum jelly. This may help keep the area moist, which can prevent the scab from forming excessively and help it heal.
-
Avoid Irritation: Wear loose-fitting underwear and avoid any harsh products (like strong soaps or lotions) on that area. Also, try to avoid shaving the area until it has fully healed to reduce further irritation.
-
Don’t Scratch: It’s important to resist the urge to scratch the area, as this can introduce bacteria and increase the risk of infection. Keeping your fingernails trimmed can help you avoid inadvertently scratching.
-
Monitor for Signs of Infection: Keep an eye on the cut to ensure it’s healing. If you notice increased redness, swelling, pus, or if the pain increases, those could be signs of infection and you may need to take additional steps.
-
Consider Alternatives for Hair Removal: If shaving continues to cause issues, consider other methods for hair removal, such as trimming or using an electric trimmer, which can be gentler on sensitive skin.
Follow-Up:
If the cut does not show signs of improvement after a week of following these steps, or if you have any concerns about infection, consider seeking professional advice for more targeted treatment options.
Take care, and I hope your skin heals quickly! If you have any further questions or need clarification, feel free to ask.
Related Questions
Experiencing Numbness in the Genital Area
At the age of 15, I would like to share my experience regarding a recent health concern. I am a male, standing at 176 cm tall and weighing 77 kg. For the past three days, I have noticed an unusual numbness in my genital area. This symptom began after a cycling session where I rode for slightly more than two hours. Despite the time that has passed, I am still feeling the numbness and it hasn’t improved. Fortunately, I don't have any pre-existing health issues and am not taking any medications. My primary concern is this lingering sensation after my cycling activity.
Concerns about Unusual Marks on My Penis (29M)
I’m a 29-year-old male and I've recently spotted two unusual marks on my penis. This has been troubling me for about a week now, and I can't shake the feeling that it could signify something serious. My hygiene isn’t the best since I don’t shower frequently, and I’m hoping it might just be a mild fungal infection that I can manage before it escalates. I’d appreciate insights from anyone knowledgeable in this area. A bit about my health background: my latest blood test, conducted around eight months ago, indicated I was significantly deficient in vitamin D, so I’ve been taking 4000 IU supplements daily and plan to have another blood test soon. Additionally, I deal with mild anemia and have been diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, seronegative type. I also regularly take methadone and clonazepam. Unfortunately, I’m not a person who showers often—there are weeks when I might go without bathing, largely due to feelings of severe depression and stress that have greatly diminished my motivation. I'm also underweight at 58 kg and typically struggle to consume even one full meal a day. Importantly, I do not believe this is related to a sexually transmitted infection, as I have not been sexually active. Would it be advisable for me to see my family doctor or seek out a specialist? Financial limitations make this a challenging decision for me right now. Thank you for any guidance you can provide.
Concerns About My Cardiologist Only Communicating with My Dad
This past year has been exceptionally challenging for my health (I’m 22), with a history of severe dysmenorrhea that evolved into critically low iron levels requiring frequent infusions. Then, the headaches started—debilitating migraines accompanied by auras such as tinnitus, nausea, and spinning sensations, persisting for days without any noticeable link to my menstrual cycle. Despite my gynecologist’s advice to discontinue my combined birth control, the migraines persisted. I then switched to a progesterone-only contraceptive but had to end that due to life circumstances. After several months without a period and after consulting a new gynecologist who investigated thoroughly, I was diagnosed with PCOS and multiple large fibroids. Currently, I'm on a new medication (Slynd) and awaiting a suitable time for surgery. Additionally, I experienced unexpected weight fluctuations, gaining 40 pounds rapidly and then losing 10 within a week, along with various digestive issues. I now believe these may be symptoms related to my other conditions, even though my specialists (and it’s a baffling thought at my age, having multiple specialists) all deem this normal. The most alarming issue, however, has been my episodes of tachycardia, where my heart rate would spike to around 115-120 bpm for extended periods. After some hesitation, I used my roommate's pulse oximeter for verification. Following a visit to the emergency room, where they found nothing egregious (just a slightly oversized heart and some atherosclerosis), the doctors attributed my symptoms to anxiety. But I am certain it’s not anxiety. After returning home for the summer (preparing for my final year at college), I decided to check my blood pressure using my father's cuff. The readings were concerning: 145/70, followed by 155/68 during subsequent checks. With a family history of hypertension—my father having high blood pressure since he was 18—he urged me to consult his cardiologist. Unfortunately, during the appointment, the cardiologist largely ignored me and directed his comments towards my dad, advising me to lose weight despite my balanced diet and regular workouts. Moreover, the cardiologist dismissed my symptoms as resulting from anemia without communicating that to me directly, conveying all information only to my father. Initially, I chalked it up to a misunderstanding because they called early one morning while I was still asleep. However, during my iron infusions, my nurse expressed concern about my blood pressure being significantly elevated (like 160/85). This high pressure persisted at every infusion session, regardless of treatment effects. Out of concern, my father contacted the cardiologist’s office to schedule an appointment ahead of my return to college. Supposedly (and given my father’s forgetfulness, I can't be sure), they decided to prescribe me amlodipine without ever consulting me personally. There was no direct communication regarding my symptoms, no explanation of the medication, nor assessment of possible interactions with my birth control—of which there are significant risks pertaining to hyperkalemia and stroke. I'm picking up the medication today and plan to consult with the pharmacist about potential interactions. Yet, I can’t shake this feeling of unease regarding the cardiologist’s office. I don’t mind sharing information with my dad—communication is vital—but I firmly believe I should be directly involved in discussions about my health. Now, I'm left questioning whether this situation is typical and how I might navigate it while still keeping my father as one of my emergency contacts. His involvement is important to me, but I also need to advocate for my own healthcare communication.
What’s Going on with My Feet?
Lately, I've been observing some unusual changes with my feet. It seems that any sort of pressure applied, even just resting my feet on my bed, causes a yellowish discoloration. After a while, a burning sensation follows—imagine the feeling of electrical sparks zipping through the soles and then somehow merging into my bloodstream. It’s difficult to articulate, but it’s as if the pain feels static in nature. Additionally, I've noticed my toenails tend to appear rather pale; perhaps that's normal, but I’ve never really focused on that before. Historically, my feet have had episodes of turning purple, so that aspect isn’t entirely foreign to me. However, this change now occurs even while I'm lying down, whereas in the past it would usually only happen after standing for extended periods. I have been diagnosed with POTS, which I suspect is the reason behind my purple feet, yet the emergence of these yellow patches is a recent development. Not only do they look unattractive, but they can also be quite painful. I would truly appreciate any insights into what might be triggering these symptoms. Thank you so much! 💕 Also, I apologize for the dust on my feet! My dogs had just returned from their walk and decided to lounge on my bed. I only noticed the mess after snapping the photo; please overlook that! 💗
Unexpected General Anaesthesia: A Patient's Experience in Australia
I’m reaching out for some guidance regarding a medical situation I faced in Australia. Hello everyone, I recently underwent a procedure for an ingrown toenail, and prior to surgery, my surgeon had clearly stated that it would be performed using local anaesthesia. However, the documentation provided by the anaesthetist mentioned details about a general anaesthetic. Since my surgeon had assured me that only local anaesthesia would be utilized, I mistakenly regarded the mentions of general anaesthesia as standard information that was not applicable to my case. My discussions with the nurses during the surgery prep focused on the local method, particularly as I am currently breastfeeding. They expressed more concern regarding the use of general anaesthesia. When I entered the anaesthetic room, the anaesthetist didn’t explain his actions but informed me that he needed to insert a cannula into my arm. He then injected two syringes of what I later realized was anaesthetic before transporting me into the operating theatre. The next moment I was aware of, I was waking up in the recovery area, feeling quite startled. What should I do in this situation? Is it unreasonable for me to feel upset about this?