Showing posts with label health. Show all posts
Friday, January 17, 2020
How to fall asleep fast
How to fall asleep fast
20 Simple Tips That Help You Fall Asleep Quickly
Good sleep is incredibly important.
It helps you feel good and makes your body and brain function properly.
Some people have no problem falling asleep. However, many others have severe difficulty falling and staying asleep through the night.
Poor sleep can have negative effects on many parts of your body and brain, including learning, memory, mood, emotions and various biological functions.
Here are 20 simple ways to fall asleep as fast as possible.
Your body temperature changes as you fall asleep. Core temperature decreases, while the temperature of your hands and feet increases.
If your room is too warm, you might have a hard time falling asleep. Setting your thermostat to a cool temperature between 60–75°F (15–23°C) could help.
Individual preferences will vary, so find the temperature that works best for you.
Taking a warm bath or shower could also help speed up the body's temperature changes. As your body cools down afterwards, this can help send a signal to your brain to go to sleep.
The “4-7-8” method is a simple but powerful breathing method that promotes calmness and relaxation. It might also help you unwind before bed.
It consists of a breathing pattern that relaxes the nervous system. It can be practiced anytime you feel anxious or stressed.
Here are the steps:
- First, place the tip of your tongue behind your upper front teeth.
- Exhale completely through your mouth and make a whoosh sound.
- Close your mouth and inhale through your nose while mentally counting to four.
- Hold your breath and mentally count to seven.
- Open your mouth and exhale completely, making a whoosh sound and mentally counting to eight.
- Repeat this cycle at least three more times.
This technique can relax you and help you fall asleep quickly.
3. Get on a Schedule
Many people find that setting a sleep schedule helps them fall asleep easier.
Your body has its own regulatory system called the circadian rhythm. This internal clock cues your body to feel alert during the day but sleepy at night.
Waking up and going to bed at the same times each day can help your internal clock keep a regular schedule. Once your body adjusts to this schedule, it will be easier to fall asleep and wake up around the same time every day.
It is also important to get seven to nine hours of sleep each night. This has been shown to be the optimal sleep duration for adults.
Lastly, give yourself 30 minutes to an hour to wind down in the evening before getting in bed. This allows your body and mind to relax and prepare for sleep.
4. Experience Both Daylight and Darkness
Waking up and going to bed at the same times each day can help your internal clock keep a regular schedule. Once your body adjusts to this schedule, it will be easier to fall asleep and wake up around the same time every day.
It is also important to get seven to nine hours of sleep each night. This has been shown to be the optimal sleep duration for adults.
Lastly, give yourself 30 minutes to an hour to wind down in the evening before getting in bed. This allows your body and mind to relax and prepare for sleep.
4. Experience Both Daylight and Darkness
Light can influence your body’s internal clock, which regulates sleep and wakefulness.
Irregular light exposure can lead to disruption of circadian rhythms, making it harder to fall asleep and stay awake.
During the day, exposing your body to bright light tells it to stay alert.
At night, darkness promotes feelings of sleepiness. In fact, research shows that darkness boosts the production of melatonin, an essential hormone for sleep.
Get out and expose your body to sunlight or artificial bright light throughout the day. If possible, use blackout curtains to make your room dark at night.
5. Practice Yoga, Meditation and Mindfulness
Get out and expose your body to sunlight or artificial bright light throughout the day. If possible, use blackout curtains to make your room dark at night.
5. Practice Yoga, Meditation and Mindfulness
When people are stressed, they tend to have difficulty falling asleep.
Yoga, meditation and mindfulness are tools to calm the mind and relax the body. Moreover, they have been shown to improve sleep.
Yoga encourages the practice of breathing patterns and body movements that release stress and tension accumulated in your body.
Meditation can enhance melatonin levels and assist the brain in achieving a specific state where sleep is easily achieved.
Lastly, mindfulness may help you maintain focus on the present and worry less while falling asleep.
6. Do Not Look at Your Clock
It is normal to wake up in the middle of the night. However, the inability to fall back asleep can ruin a good night’s rest.
People who wake up in the middle of the night often tend to watch the clock and obsess about the fact that they cannot fall back asleep.
"Clock-watching" is common among people suffering from insomnia. This behavior may cause anxiety about sleeplessness.
To make matters worse, waking on a regular basis without falling back asleep may cause your body to develop a routine. As a result, you might find yourself waking up in the middle of the night every night.
If possible, it is best to remove the clock from your room. If you need an alarm in the room, you can turn your clock and avoid watching it when you wake up in the middle of the night.
7. Avoid Naps During the Day
7. Avoid Naps During the Day
Due to poor sleep at night, people with insomnia tend to be sleepy during the day. This often leads to daytime napping.
Due to poor sleep at night, people with insomnia tend to be sleepy during the day. This often leads to daytime napping.
While naps of short duration have been linked to improvements in alertness and wellbeing, there are mixed opinions about the effects of napping on nighttime sleep.
Some studies have shown that regular, long (two hours or more) and late naps may lead to poor nighttime sleep quality and even sleep deprivation.
One study showed that among 440 college students, those who reported taking three or more naps per week, those who napped more than two hours and those who napped late (between 6 and 9 p.m.) had the poorest nighttime sleep quality.
Another study found that older adults who napped frequently had lower quality nighttime sleep, more depressive symptoms, more limited physical activity and were more likely to be overweight than those who rarely took a nap.
Other studies have revealed that naps do not affect nighttime sleep.
Other studies have revealed that naps do not affect nighttime sleep.
To find out if naps are affecting your sleep, try either eliminating naps altogether or limiting yourself to a short nap (30 minutes or less) early in the day.
8. Watch What and When You Eat
8. Watch What and When You Eat
It seems that the food you eat before bed may affect your sleep. For example, research has shown that high-carb meals may be detrimental to a good night's rest.
A review of studies concluded that even though a high-carb diet can get you to fall asleep faster, it will not be restful sleep. Instead, high-fat meals could promote a deeper and more restful sleep.
In fact, several studies agree that a high-carb/low-fat diet significantly decreased the quality of sleep compared to a low-carb/high-fat diet with the same amount of calories for both diets.
If you still want to eat a high-carb meal for dinner, you should eat it at least four hours before bed, so you have enough time to digest it.
Music can significantly improve quality of sleep. It can even be used to improve chronic sleep disorders like insomnia.
A study of 24 young adults demonstrated that sedative music promoted deeper sleep.
Buddhist music is a kind of music created from different Buddhist chants and used for meditation. Listening to it may be a great tool for better sleep.
Another study revealed that 25 participants had a more restful and deeper sleep when they were exposed to soothing music for 45 minutes at bedtime, compared to those not listening to music.
Lastly, if relaxing music is not available, blocking all noise could also help you fall asleep faster and promote uninterrupted sleep.
10. Exercise During The Day
10. Exercise During The Day
Physical activity is often considered beneficial to healthy sleep.
Exercise can increase the duration and quality of sleep by boosting the production of serotonin in the brain and decreasing levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.
However, it is important to maintain a moderate-intensity exercise routine and not overdo it. Excessive training has been linked to poor sleep.
The time of the day when you exercise is also critical. To promote better quality sleep, working out early in the morning appears to be better than working out later in the day.
Therefore, moderate-to-vigorous exercise in the morning could significantly improve the quality and quantity of your sleep.
11. Get Comfortable
11. Get Comfortable
It has been shown that having a comfortable mattress and bedding can have a remarkable effect on the depth and quality of sleep.
A medium-firm mattress has been shown to positively affect sleep quality and prevent sleep disturbances and muscular discomfort.
The quality of your pillow is also crucial. It can affect your neck curve, temperature and comfort. A study determined that orthopedic pillows may be better than feather or memory foam pillows.
Additionally, the use of a weighted blanket could reduce body stress and help improve your sleep.
Using electronic devices late at night is terrible for sleep.
Watching TV, playing video games, using a mobile phone and social networking can make it significantly harder for you to fall and stay asleep.
It is recommended that you disconnect all electronics and put away computers and mobile phones so you can ensure a quiet place, free of distractions. You will be able to fall asleep much faster.
13. Try Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy involves the use of essential oils.
Aromatherapy is commonly used by those who have trouble falling asleep, as it may help with relaxation.
A systematic review of 12 studies revealed that the use of aromatherapy was effective in improving sleep quality.
Additionally, it seems that lavender and damask rose are popular scents with positive effects on sleep.
An essential oil diffuser could be helpful in infusing your room with relaxing scents that encourage sleep.
14. Practice Journaling
Some people have difficulty falling asleep because their thoughts keep running in circles. Research has shown that this can produce anxiety and stress, which can generate negative emotions and disturb sleep.
Research has shown that journaling and focusing on positive thoughts can calm the mind and help you sleep better.
Writing down the positive events that happened during the day can create a state of gratitude and happiness, downgrade stressful events and promote more relaxation at bedtime.
In fact, a study of 41 college students found that journaling resulted in reduced bedtime worry and stress, increased sleep time and improved sleep quality.
Try practicing this technique by setting aside 15 minutes every night to write about your day. It is important to focus not only on the positive events of the day but also on how you feel at the time.
15. Limit Caffeine and Drink a Soothing Beverage
16. Adjust Your Sleep Position
Caffeine is widely used among people to fight fatigue and stimulate alertness. It can be found in foods and beverages like chocolate, coffee, sodas and energy drinks.
Unfortunately, caffeine can have disastrous effects on your sleep.
Although the effects of caffeine vary from person to person, it is recommended that you refrain from consuming caffeine at least six hours before bedtime.
Instead, you could drink a soothing tea like chamomile tea, which has been shown to promote sleep and relaxation.
Good quality sleep may depend on your body position during the night.
There are three main sleeping positions: back, stomach or side. Traditionally, it was believed that back sleepers had a better quality of sleep.
However, research has shown that this might not be the best position to sleep in, as it could lead to blocked airways, sleep apnea and snoring.
In fact, a study done on 16 people determined that the participants who reported consistent poor sleep spent more time on their back.
Although individual preferences play an important role in choosing sleep position, the side position seems to be linked to high-quality sleep.
17. Read Something
17. Read Something
Reading could be a good activity to help you wind down before bed. At least for kids, it seems that bedtime reading may promote longer sleep.
However, it is important to understand the difference between reading from an electronic book and a traditional paper book.
Electronic books emit a kind of light that can reduce melatonin secretion, making it harder for you to fall asleep and causing you to feel tired the next day.
Therefore, it is recommended to read from a physical book in order to relax and improve your sleep.
18. Focus on Trying to Stay Awake
18. Focus on Trying to Stay Awake
It is believed that if you go to bed and try to force yourself to fall asleep, your chances of succeeding drop dramatically.
Instead, you can try "paradoxical intention." This technique recommends trying to stay awake instead of forcing yourself to sleep.
This technique is based on the idea that the stress and anxiety produced by forcing yourself to fall asleep can prevent you from relaxing and snoozing off.
A study showed that people who try this technique paradoxically tend to fall asleep faster.
19. Visualize Things That Make You Happy
19. Visualize Things That Make You Happy
Instead of lying in bed worrying and thinking about stressful things, visualize a place that makes you feel happy and calm.
41 participants suffering from insomnia were able to fall asleep faster after they were instructed to use an "imaginary distraction".
This technique helped them occupy their mind with good thoughts instead of engaging with worries and concerns during the pre-sleep time.
This technique helped them occupy their mind with good thoughts instead of engaging with worries and concerns during the pre-sleep time.
Picturing and concentrating on an environment that makes you feel peaceful and relaxed can take your mind away from the thoughts that keep you up at night.
20. Try Sleep-Enhancing Supplements
Certain supplements can help you fall asleep faster.
They have been shown to encourage sleep either by boosting the production of sleep-promoting hormones or by calming brain activity.
Supplements that can help you fall asleep include:
- Magnesium. Magnesium helps activate the neurotransmitters responsible for sleep. Doses of 200–400 mg per day, taken with food, have been shown to improve sleep.
- 5 HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan). 5-HTP boosts the production of serotonin, which has been linked to the regulation of sleep. Doses of 300–500 mg per day, taken either once daily or in divided doses, seem to be effective in treating insomnia.
- Melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone naturally produced by the body, but it can also be taken as a supplement to help regulate your sleep. Doses of 0.5–5 mg taken 30 minutes before bed seem to improve sleep quality (
65 ). - Theanine. Theanine is an amino acid with sedative properties. Although it has not been shown to induce sleep, it could help with relaxation. Doses of 200 mg per day seem to be useful.
- GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). GABA is a compound produced in the brain that inhibits certain transmitters and may help the central nervous system relax. Doses of 250–500 mg and no more than 1,000 mg are recommended.
The Bottom Line
Having trouble falling and staying asleep is not only frustrating, but it can also affect your mental and physical health.
Using the techniques above can help you fall asleep quickly, while sleeping much better and having more energy the next day.
How to get rid of boils on vagina
How to get rid of boils on vagina
What Causes Vaginal Boils and How Are They Treated?
Why do they develop?
Vaginal boils are pus-filled, inflamed bumps that form under the skin of your vagina. These bumps can develop on the outside of the vagina, in the pubic area, or they can develop on the labia.
Vaginal boils develop when a hair follicle becomes impacted and an infection develops in the follicle. The boil may start as a small, red bump and develop over the course of a few days into a swollen, painful spot with a white or yellow pus-filled tip.
Some boils may look similar to pimples, and a correct diagnosis is key to treatment. If you have a spot on your vagina and aren’t sure if it’s a boil or the result of something else, make an appointment to see your doctor or gynecologist.
Boils are rarely cause for concern. Most will clear up on their own in a week or two. A few may need medical treatment. Treatment can help ease the pain and reduce the infection until the boil is gone. In severe cases, your doctor may lance, or cut, a boil to drain the infection.
How to treat vaginal boils at home
Most boils will go away on their own in a matter of a few days or weeks. You can help ease the symptoms and speed up the process with these home remedies.
Before you touch the boil or the area surrounding it, be sure to wash your hands well. Use an antibacterial soap and warm water. Without this step, you risk introducing more bacteria to the boil. This could make the infection worse.
Likewise, wash your hands again after you’ve completed your treatment. You don’t want to risk spreading any bacteria to other areas of your body.
1. Don’t pop or prick
Resist the temptation to pop or prick the boil. Doing so releases the bacteria and can spread the infection. You may also make the pain and tenderness worse.
2. Apply a warm compress
Soak a washcloth with water that’s slightly warmer than what you use to wash your hands or face. Squeeze out the excess water. Place the compress over the boil, and leave it there for 7 to 10 minutes.
Repeat this process three or four times a day until the boil is gone. The heat from the compress helps promote more blood circulation, so white blood cells can fight off the remaining infection.
3. Wear loose bottoms while it’s healing
One of the most common causes of a boil is tight clothing that causes friction or rubbing on the delicate pubic skin. Until the boil disappears, wear loose underwear and clothing. After workouts, change into clean, dry underwear.
4. Use an ointment
A petroleum jelly ointment can help protect the boil against friction from clothing and underwear. Likewise, if the boil bursts, use an antibiotic ointment like combined bacitracin, neomycin, and polymyxin B (Neosporin) to protect against another infection while the spot heals.
5. Take over-the-counter painkillers
Over-the-counter pain medication may be necessary to ease the pain and inflammation the boil causes. Take ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) according to package directions.
If these home remedies don’t help or the boil isn’t gone within two weeks, make an appointment with your gynecologist or doctor. You may need medical treatment from a doctor.
How long it takes to heal
A boil typically clears up on its own in a week or two. Some boils will shrink and disappear. Others may burst and drain first.
If the boil bursts, clean the area thoroughly, and apply a sterile gauze or adhesive bandage. Keep the area clean, and change the dressing daily. Wash your hands before and after you change the bandages too.
Having one boil doesn’t make you more likely to have another. However, some of the risk factors that lead to one boil can easily lead to another. These include:
- friction or rubbing from tight clothes
- ingrown hairs from shaving
- staph infection
If more boils develop, make an appointment with your doctor. An underlying factor may be contributing to the boils. Treating the root cause can help prevent future bumps.
When to see your doctor
Some symptoms indicate the boil may need additional treatment from a doctor. These include:
- fever
- chills or cold sweats
- a bump that grows rapidly
- a bump that’s extremely painful
- a bump that’s larger than two inches wide
- a boil on your face
- a boil that isn’t gone after two weeks
- a boil that recurs or if you develop multiple boils
Your doctor has two primary treatment options if the boil is too severe for your home remedies:
Lance and drain: If the boil is extremely painful or large, your doctor may lance or cut the bump to drain the pus and fluid. Your doctor will use sterile equipment, so don’t attempt to do this at home. Boils that have a severe infection may need to be drained more than once.
Antibiotics: Severe or recurrent infections may need antibiotics to prevent future boils. You doctor may also prescribe antibiotics after the boil is drained to prevent a secondary infection.
How to prevent future boils
Preventing boils isn’t always possible, but these tips can help you reduce your risks of future boils or other vaginal bumps:
Change your razor frequently: A dull razor can increase your risk for ingrown hairs. Change razors or blades every three to four weeks. Get some new razors online today.
Don’t share razors: The bacteria responsible for a boil is easily shared with razors. Keep your razor clean, dry, and stored away from others.
Shave in the shower or bath: Don’t dry shave your pubic area. Use a shaving lotion or cream to reduce friction on hair when you shave in the shower or a bath.
Shave in the direction of hair growth: Reduce the likelihood of an ingrown hair and shave in the direction your hair is growing.
Gently exfoliate pubic area: If you shave or wax your pubic area, reduce your chances for developing an ingrown hair by gently exfoliating the area twice a week. Exfoliating can help open any blocked hair follicles and allow hair growth.
Take all antibiotics: If your doctor prescribes antibiotics to treat your infection, complete the entire prescription. Stopping before you’ve taken all the pills may cause a reinfection.
Treat for staph: If you develop recurring boils, your doctor may take a sample of the pus from a boil and have it tested to determine what bacteria are causing the boils. Knowing that bacteria can help your doctor better treat and prevent boils. Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium commonly found on the skin, and it can cause recurring boils, as well as other infections. If this bacterium is responsible, your doctor can specifically treat for it.
How to tighten vaginal muscles
How to tighten vaginal muscles
Is It Possible to Have a Loose Vagina?
Is it?
When it comes to the vagina, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions. Some people, for example, believe that vaginas can lose their elasticity and become loose forever. That’s not actually true, though.
Your vagina is elastic. This means it can stretch to accommodate things coming in (think: a penis or sex toy) or going out (think: a baby). But it won’t take long for your vagina to snap back to its previous shape.
Your vagina may become slightly looser as you age or have children, but overall, the muscles expand and retract just like an accordion or a rubber band.
Keep reading to learn more about where this myth comes from, how a “tight” vagina may be a sign of an underlying condition, tips to strengthen your pelvic floor, and more.
Breaking down the myth of a ‘loose vagina’
First thing’s first: There’s no such thing as a “loose” vagina. Your vagina may change over time due to age and childbirth, but it won’t lose its stretch permanently.
The myth of a “loose” vagina has historically been used as a way to shame women for their sex lives. After all, a “loose” vagina isn’t used to describe a woman who has a lot of sex with her partner. It’s primarily used to describe a woman who has had sex with more than one man.
But the truth is that it doesn’t matter who you have sex with or how often. Penetration won’t cause your vagina to stretch out permanently.
A ‘tight’ vagina isn’t necessarily a good thing
It’s important to know that a “tight” vagina may be a sign of an underlying concern, especially if you’re experiencing discomfort during penetration.
Your vaginal muscles naturally relax when you’re aroused. If you’re not turned on, interested, or physically prepared for intercourse, your vagina won’t relax, self-lubricate, and stretch.
Tight vaginal muscles, then, could make a sexual encounter painful or impossible to complete. Extreme vaginal tightness could also be a sign of vaginismus. This is a treatable physical disorder that affects 1 in every 500 women, according to the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Vaginismus is pain that happens before or during penetration. This could mean sexual intercourse, slipping in a tampon, or inserting a speculum during a pelvic exam.
If this sounds familiar, make an appointment with your OB-GYN. They can assess your symptoms and help make a diagnosis. For vaginismus, your doctor may recommend Kegels and other pelvic floor exercises, vaginal dilator therapy, or Botox injections to relax the muscles.
Your vagina will change over time
Only two things can affect your vagina’s elasticity: age and childbirth. Frequent sex — or lack thereof — won’t cause your vagina to lose any of its stretch.
Over time, childbirth and age could potentially cause a slight, natural loosening of your vagina. Women who’ve had more than one vaginal birth are more likely to have weakened vaginal muscles. However, aging can cause your vagina to stretch slightly, regardless of whether you’ve had children.
Age
You may begin to see a change in your vagina’s elasticity starting in your 40s. That’s because your estrogen levels will begin to drop as you enter the perimenopausal stage.
A loss of estrogen means your vaginal tissue will become:
- thinner
- drier
- less acidic
- less stretchy or flexible
These changes may become more noticeable once you reach full menopause.
Childbirth
It’s natural for your vagina to change after a vaginal delivery. After all, your vaginal muscles stretch in order to let your baby pass through the birth canal and out of your vagina’s entrance.
After your baby is born, you may notice that your vagina feels slightly looser than its usual form. That’s completely normal. Your vagina should start to snap back a few days after giving birth, although it may not return to its original shape completely.
If you’ve had multiple childbirths, your vaginal muscles are more likely to lose a little bit of elasticity. If you’re uncomfortable with this, there are exercises you can do to strengthen your vaginal floor muscles before, during, and after pregnancy.
How to strengthen your vaginal muscles
Pelvic exercises are a great way to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. These muscles are part of your core and help support your:
- bladder
- rectum
- small intestine
- uterus
When your pelvic floor muscles weaken from age or childbirth, you may:
- accidentally leak urine or pass wind
- feel the constant need to pee
- have pain in your pelvic area
- experience pain during sex
Although pelvic floor exercises can help treat mild urinary incontinence, they aren’t as beneficial for women who experience severe urinary leakage. Your doctor can help you develop an appropriate treatment plan that suits your needs.
Interesting in strengthening your pelvic floor? Here are some exercises you can try:
Kegel exercises
First, you need to identify your pelvic floor muscles. To do so, stop midstream while you’re peeing. If you succeed, you figured out the right muscles.
Once you do, follow these steps:
- Pick a position for your exercises. Most people prefer lying on their back for Kegels.
- Tighten your pelvic floor muscles. Hold the contraction for 5 seconds, relaxing for another 5 seconds.
- Repeat this step at least 5 times in a row.
As you build up strength, increase the time to 10 seconds. Try not to tighten your thighs, abs, or butt during Kegels. Just focus on your pelvic floor.
For the best results, practice 3 sets of Kegels 5 to 10 times a day. You should see results within a few weeks.
Pelvic tilt exercises
To strengthen your vaginal muscles using a pelvic tilt exercise:
- Stand with your shoulders and butt against a wall. Keep both of your knees soft.
- Pull your bellybutton in toward your spine. When you do this, your back should flatten against the wall.
- Tighten your bellybutton for 4 seconds, then release.
- Do this 10 times, for up to 5 times a day.
Vaginal cones
You can also strengthen your pelvic floor muscles by using a vaginal cone. This is a weighted, tampon-sized object that you put in your vagina and hold.
To do this:
- Insert the lightest cone into your vagina.
- Squeeze your muscles. Hold it in place for about 15 minutes, twice a day.
- Increase the weight of the cone you use as you become more successful in holding the cone in place in your vagina.
Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES)
NMES can help strengthen your vaginal muscles by sending an electric current through your pelvic floor using a probe. The electrical stimulation will cause your pelvic floor muscles to contract and relax.
You can use a home NMES unit or have your doctor perform the treatment. A typical session lasts 20 minutes. You should do this once every four days, for a few weeks.
The bottom line
Remember: A “loose” vagina is a myth. Age and childbirth can cause your vagina to slightly lose some of its elasticity naturally, but your vaginal muscles won’t stretch out permanently. In time, your vagina will snap back to its original form.
If you’re concerned about changes to your vagina, reach out to your doctor to discuss what’s bothering you. They can help ease your concerns and advise you on any next steps.
How to prevent razor bumps on vagina
How to prevent razor bumps on vagina
Click on above pic for best product
Click on above pic for best product
How to Identify, Treat, and Prevent Razor Burn on Your Vaginal Area
What razor burn looks like
If you’ve recently shaved your vulva or labia — the exterior skin in the genital area — and have an unexplained itchiness, you might be dealing with razor burn. Razor burn will usually appear as a red rash. You may also develop one or more red bumps. The bumps may feel as though they’re “burning” and be tender to the touch.
These symptoms can occur anywhere that you shave — your entire bikini area, on your labia, and even in the crease of your thigh. You may have symptoms in one area of skin and not the rest, even if you shaved the entire area at the same time.
In some cases, these symptoms can also be a sign of sexually transmitted disease (STD). Keep reading for more on how to correctly diagnose razor burn, how to ease your symptoms, and how to prevent razor burn from coming back.
Is it razor burn or a sign of an STD?
Ask yourself
- Am I experiencing other symptoms, like body aches or fever?
- Does the bump have a smooth or jagged edge?
- Is the sore open or closed?
The first thing to look out for is pain — are the bumps tender to the touch? Slightly painful or sensitive bumps are usually caused by razor burn or ingrown hairs. But if you’re experiencing other symptoms — like body aches, fever, and headache — these bumps may be the result of genital herpes.
You’ll also want to determine whether the bumps are smooth or jagged. If you have a smooth, painless bump emerging from your skin, chances are it’s a simple skin tag. But if the bump is jagged, or rough like a cauliflower, it could be a genital wart.
Next, look to see if the bumps are open or closed. Razor bumps, pimples, and rashes usually cause bumps that remain closed. Bumps resulting from herpes will develop into an open sore and scab over after a few days.
If you suspect that your bumps may be the result of something other than razor burn, see your doctor. They can assess your symptoms and advise you on any next steps.
How to treat a razor burn
Treating razor burn is usually as easy as waiting out your symptoms. Unless you’re experiencing extreme discomfort, leave the area alone and let the issue resolve on its own. You should avoid shaving the affected area for a few weeks to prevent further irritation.
But if you’re dealing with extreme pain or itchiness, you may want to consider your options for treatment. Oftentimes, you can use the things you have at home to find relief.
What home remedies are available?
If you need relief fast, reach for a cool compress or apply a spot treatment. But if you have some time to kill, soaking in the bathtub may help you find long-term relief.
Try this:
Cool compress. A cool compress can help soothe irritated skin and reduce redness. Wrap a couple of ice cubes in a paper towel and apply it to the affected area for 5 to 10 minutes, several times a day.
Warm compress. A warm compress can help kill bacteria and reduce swelling. Wet a cloth or paper towel and warm it in the microwave for about 45 seconds. It should be warm, but still comfortable to the touch. Hold this to the affected area for 5 to 10 minutes at a time. Reheat and reapply as needed.
Honey. Raw honey has long been known for its antibacterial properties. It can also help reduce swelling and irritation. Apply a thin layer of honey to the irritated area, and allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water.
Cotton and other loose fabrics. If you’re wearing skinny jeans or other tight bottoms, change into something more comfortable. Cotton breathes better than most fabrics, reducing sweat and other irritation. Looser bottoms can also help the area breathe and reduce friction.
Oatmeal bath. Colloidal oatmeal has been used to soothe itching and relieve irritation for centuries. That’s because it contains phenols, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe, cleanse, and moisturize the skin. To reap these benefits, soak in a colloidal oatmeal bath once daily for at least 15 minutes.
What natural remedies are available?
If home remedies aren’t doing the trick, you may want to hit up your kitchen cabinet or corner store. Although more research is needed, these natural remedies are said to help ease irritation.
Try this:
Apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar has anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce the irritation that comes with razor burn. It also contains acetic acid, which can help prevent infection. To use it, wet a cotton ball with the vinegar and place on the irritated area a few times a day.
Aloe vera. Aloe vera is a traditional remedy for soothing irritated skin . Apply a fresh cut of aloe vera or aloe vera gel to the affected area as needed. If you use a gel, make sure it’s free of fragrance and artificial coloring.
Witch hazel. Witch hazel is a natural antiseptic with anti-inflammatory properties. To use it, wet a cotton ball with the astringent and place on the irritated area a few times a day.
Tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is a natural antibacterial agent with anti-inflammatory properties. To use it, wet a cotton ball with the oil and place on the irritated area a few times a day.
What over-the-counter (OTC) medications are available?
Over-the-counter medications can also help with razor burn. They usually come in the form of topical creams. Look for one that contains hydrocortisone, which works to reduce swelling and calm skin redness.
How to shave to avoid a razor burn
You shouldn’t shave the affected area again until your symptoms have cleared.
Once the area has healed, there are a number of steps you can take to make sure you don’t experience another episode of razor burn.
To get a razor burn-free shave:
- Trim the area. This prevents hairs from snagging and getting caught in the razor. Use a sterilized pair of baby scissors to cut hair down to a quarter-inch.
- Get in the shower. The hot steam will soften the hair follicles and make for a softer, smoother shave.
- Exfoliate. This helps remove dead skin cells, bringing ingrown hairs to the surface. You can use a body brush to exfoliate in the shower, or add a salicylic acid-based exfoliant to your routine.
- Lather up. Wash with a fragrance-free antibacterial wash so that if you accidentally cut yourself, you’re already working to prevent an infection and irritation.
- Use a shaving product. Use a shaving cream with soothing ingredients, like aloe vera, to help prevent both irritation.
- Shave in the right direction. Shaving with the grain, or in the direction of hair growth, can help prevent razor burn. To get an even closer chave, pull skin taut with one hand while shaving with the other. Work in small sections, using short strokes, and shave slowly.
- Pat dry. After you get out of the shower, pat the area dry. Pulling and tugging the skin can lead to irritation.
- Moisturize. This can help create a protective barrier and prevent the area from drying out. You can use something as simple as Aquaphor, or opt for special rash-reducing creams.
You’ll also want to rinse and replace your razor regularly. This will help prevent the blades from getting dull and irritating your skin when you shave.
The bottom line
Razor burn is a common condition, but it can be stressful if you aren’t sure about what’s going on down below. Pay close attention to your symptoms, and check in with your doctor if you’re experiencing anything unusual. Razor burn usually clears up in a few days, so if your symptoms persist, have your doctor take a look.
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