What Causes Itchy Pubic Hair? (2024)

There are many possible causes for itchy pubic hair. They include allergies, razor burns, pubic lice (crabs), autoimmune diseases, folliculitis, and jock itch. The itching can range from mild to relentless and may be accompanied by rash, bumps, redness, and skin discoloration.

This article looks at nine possible causes of itchy pubic hair, including how they are treated. It also explains when it's time to see a healthcare provider if at-home treatments fail to provide relief.

Razor Burn

Razor burn is a common cause of pelvic itchiness. One study found that 80% of people who groom their pubic hair experienced genital itching on at least one occasion. This is because shaving creates tiny tears in the skin, triggering inflammation of hair follicles.

Razor burn is characterized by the following signs and symptoms:

• Clusters of small, red bumps around hair follicles surrounded by inflamed skin
• Pain, burning, or stinging
• Itching that gets worse when the area is overheated
• Darkening of the skin if the condition is persistent
• Ingrown hairs

Treatment

To reduce the risk of razor burn, use a clean razor and a lubricant like soap or shaving cream. Moisturizing after shaving can also help prevent razor burn.

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is the sudden inflammation of the skin caused by contact with something you are allergic to (allergic contact dermatitis) or that irritates the skin (irritant contact dermatitis).

Common culprits include fragrances, detergents, soaps, and genital cleansing products (such as douches and feminine hygiene sprays). Latex, rubber, and adhesives (such as those used in panty liners) can also cause contact dermatitis.

You can differentiate contact dermatitis from other skin conditions by the following signs and symptoms:

• A delayed rather than immediate outbreak, often as much as 72 hours after contact
• A localized outbreak limited to the area of exposure
• Large, burning, itchy rashes that persist for days or weeks
• Dry, thickened skin with irritant contact dermatitis
• Blisters or wheals with allergic contact dermatitis
• More pain than itchiness with irritant contact dermatitis
• Intense itchiness with allergic contact dermatitis

Treatment

The best way to relieve contact dermatitis is to avoid the offending agent. The itch should go away on its own, but if it persists, contact your healthcare provider. They can help identify the culprit and prescribe the right course of treatment.

This may include:

• A mild steroid cream like Cortizone 10 (1% hydrocortisone ointment)
• An oral antihistamine like Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
• A colloidal oatmeal bath
  

Jock Itch

Jock itch (tinea cruris) is a fungal skin infection in the groin and buttocks areas. It is especially common in athletes and in climates that are hot and humid.

Jock itch is highly contagious. It can be spread from person to person through skin-to-skin contact or from contact with towels or clothing that have fungal spores in them. You can even pass athlete's foot (tinea pedis) to the groin as they are both caused by the same type of fungus.

Jock itch is recognized by the following signs and symptoms:

• A red raisedrashwith ascaly,well-defined border (usually on both sides of the groin)
• Intense itching
• Plaque-like lesions that can spread to the anus, scrotum (in men), and labia (in women)
• Flaking, cracking, peeling, or iridescent skin patches
• Possible blistering and weeping
• Inflamed hair follicles if the person is hairy
  

Treatment

Keeping the area dry and using an over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal cream like Lamisil (terbinafine) should help clear the infection. If symptoms persist, your healthcare provider may recommend a prescription antifungal like:

• Oxistat (oxiconazole) or Spectazole (econazole) ointment
• Diflucan (fluconazole) or Sporanox (itraconazole) tablets

Pubic Lice (Crabs)

Pubic lice, also known as crabs or Pthirus pubis, are tiny insects that live on the pubic hair as well as in armpit hairs, facial hair, eyebrows, eyelashes, and chest hair. (Pubic lice are not the same as head lice that are more easily spread.)

Pubic lice are typically spread through sexual contact, but you can also get crabs by sharing clothes, towels, or bedding with someone who has lice.

You can recognize crabs by the following signs and symptoms:

• Intense itchiness in the pubic area
• Itching that gets worse at night
• Gray-blue or slate skin discoloration
• Visible lice crawling on the skin
• Tiny pearly-white eggs (nits) on hair shafts
• Black powder on the skin or underwear caused by lice droppings

Treatment

Pubic lice can be treated with OTC topical creams like Nix (1% permethrin) or anti-lice shampoos containing permethrin. If these don't help, prescription options include:

• Ovide (0.5% malathion) lotion
• Stromectol (ivermectin) tablets

It's important to avoid scratching if you have pubic lice. Scratching can cause tiny tears in the skin, which can lead to a bacterial infection.

Yeast Infection

Yeast infections are common in females. Around 75% will experience a yeast infection at some point in their lifetime.

A yeast infection is caused by an overgrowth of a fungus called Candida albicans. It often occurs due to a pH imbalance in the vagin*. Taking medication such as antibiotics, consuming too much sugar, and having a weakened immune system can also cause yeast infections.

A vagin*l yeast infection is recognized by the following signs and symptoms:

• Itchiness and soreness of the vulva (external genitals in females)
• A milky or cottage cheese-like vagin*l discharge, usually odorless
• vagin*l and vulvar redness, swelling, or cracking
• Pain or discomfort during urination
• Pain during sexual intercourse

Treatment

OTC yeast infection treatments usually clear the infection within a few days or require OTC medication such as Monistat 3 (miconazole). Severe cases may need treatment from a healthcare provider, including:

• Diflucan (fluconazole) tablets
• Terazol (terconazole) ointment

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes red, scaly patches (called plaques) on the skin. It can occur anywhere on the body but is most common on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back. A specific type of psoriasis, called inverse psoriasis, is common in the groin and skin folds.

Psoriasis occurs when the immune system attacks normal skin cells with inflammation. When this happens, skin cells will start to grow at a rapid rate, forming itchy plaques and lesions.

Psoriasis can be differentiated from other skin conditions by the following signs and symptoms:

• Raised areas ofinflamedskin covered with silvery-white, scaly patches
• Clusters of tiny inflamed bumps
• Dryness, cracking, peeling, or bleeding
• Mild to moderate itching
  
• Changes in skin color, particularly on dark skin
• Shiny, red patches of skin with inverse psoriasis
• Cycles of rashes that flare for a few weeks or months and then subside

Treatment

Psoriasis is commonly treated with moisturizers and mild OTC steroids like Cortizone 10 (hydrocortisone). Severe cases may require prescription drugs and specialist treatments like:

• Trianex (triamcinolone) ointment
• Vitamin A derivatives like Dovonex (calcipotriene) or Vectical (calcitriol)
• Retinoids like Tazorac (tazarotene)
• Calcineurin inhibitors like Protopic (tacrolimus) and Elidel (pimecrolimus)
• UV light therapy

Eczema

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic (persistent) inflammatory skin condition that causes a scaly, red, itchy rash. Although the exact cause is unknown, eczema is believed to be the result of genetic and environmental factors.

Eczema can affect any part of the body but is often seen on the penis, scrotum, vulva, and anus. It can be hard to differentiate between eczema and conditions like psoriasis and contact dermatitis without evaluation by a dermatologist (skin specialist).

Eczema may be distinguished by the following signs and symptoms:

• A rash with fine scales that typically starts in skin folds and spreads outwards
• Intense itchiness, often with burning or soreness
• Skin dryness, flaking, cracking, or bleeding
• Swelling and redness
• Tiny bumps that can ooze clear fluid
• Thickening and darkening of the skin where eczema has been for a long time
• Symptoms that suddenly flare and improve in the same area

Treatment

Eczema is commonly treated with skin moisturizers and mild OTC topical steroids. Severe cases may require prescription immunosuppressants like:

• Methotrexate tablets
• Oral corticosteroids like prednisone
• Dupixent (dupilumab) injection
• Adbry Itralokinumab) injection

Scabies

Scabies is caused by a tiny burrowing mite called Sarcoptes scabiei. The eight-legged insect digs into the top layer of the skin to feed and lay eggs. This causes intense itchiness, which may or may not be accompanied by a rash.

Scabies can be transmitted by skin-to-skin contact, often during sex. The mite can also be passed through clothing or bedding that someone with scabies has worn or slept on.

Though it is often mistaken for other skin conditions, scabies usually be recognized by the following signs and symptoms:

• Intense and relentless itching, mainly on the feet, wrists, elbows, buttocks, and genitals
• Spotty, inflamed rashes where the mite has burrowed into the skin
• A linear or S-shaped track of rashes
• Itching made worse by warmth or while sleeping

Treatment

There are no OTC medications approved to treat scabies, so it's important to see a healthcare provider for a prescription of permethrin 5% cream or malathion 0.5% lotion. These topical treatments should relieve the infestation within a few days.

Folliculitis

Folliculitis is the inflammation or infection of hair follicles. Folliculitis can occur wherever there is body hair, including the genitals. But it most often appears in areas that are irritated from shaving or chafing, or where pores are blocked by body oils and dirt.

Folliculitis occurs when damaged or blocked hair follicles create the ideal environment for bacteria or fungus to grow. The neck, armpits, groin, and genitals are the areas most commonly affected.

Folliculitis can be differentiated from psoriasis and eczema by the following signs and symptoms:

• Clusters of small red bumps around hair follicles
• Pus-filled blisters that can break open and crust over
• Itching, burning, or stinging
• Skin pain or tenderness
• Loss of hair from scratching

Treatment

Folliculitis can often be treated with antibacterial soap and moisturizers. If an infection occurs, you may need to see a healthcare provider for a prescription topical antibiotic or antifungal lotion.

Intertrigo

Intertrigo is a common inflammatory skin condition caused when skin folds rub together. This can lead to infection when the outer layers of the skin are compromised. Trapped moisture causes the surfaces of your skin to stick together, increasing friction and leading to skin inflammation and damage.

The most common places for intertrigo to occur are in the armpits, inner thigh, and groin; between the buttocks, breasts, toes, and fingers; and in belly folds and creases in the neck.

Symptoms of intertrigo include:

• Red or reddish-brown rash with small bumps
• Itching, stinging, burning, or pain
• Cracked and raw patches with oozing or bleeding
• Crusting or scaling on the affected patches

If intertrigo causes an infection, there may be tender, pus-filled bumps on the skin along with fever and a foul smell.

Treatment

A barrier cream can protect the skin and reduce friction between skin folds. An OTC steroid cream like Cortizone 10 (hydrocortisone) may help reduce inflammation along with good skin hygiene. Talcum powder can help prevent skin from sticking together.

Severe cases may require a prescription antibiotic or antifungal cream.

How to Prevent Itchy Pubes

There are several ways to prevent itchy pubic hair:

• Wash and moisturize: Wash with a gentle cleanser to remove sweat and dirt, patting the skin dry afterward with a soft, clean towel. To combat dryness and itching, avoid harsh soaps and overly hot water, and moisturize with a light moisturizer rather than a heavy cream.
• Wear clean cotton underwear. Cotton helps because it is breathable and prevents moisture buildup that can contribute to yeast infections and intertrigo. Changing underwear daily helps reduce the risk of infection.
• Use shaving lotion when shaving: Rather than using bar soap, use a moisturizer-rich shaving cream or gel that can reduce the risk of chafing and razor burns. Avoid shaving altogether if you have folliculitis until the symptoms fully resolve.
• Trim your pubic hair: Trimming your pubes may reduce the risk of infection if you have diabetes or a compromised immune system, but may be of little benefit outside of these at-risk groups. Shaving may actually increase, rather than decrease, the risk of infection.
• Know your sex partners. The only way to prevent public lice is to avoid sexual contact (or shared bedding or clothing) with someone who has lice. In the United States, around three million people get pubic lice every year, mainly through sex.

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If your pubic itching is severe, persistent, or worsening despite home treatment, make an appointment to see your healthcare provider. This is especially true if you have signs of an infection, such as increased redness, pain, and swelling accompanied by fever and a pus-like discharge.

While awaiting treatment, you can better manage itching by:

• Keeping the genital area clean and dry
• Applying a cool, moist cloth to the skin to ease itching
• Avoiding tight-fitting clothing
• Wearing breathable underwear
• Avoiding fragrances, harsh soaps, deodorants, or body sprays

Summary

Itchy pubic hair is common and is often easily treatable. Common causes include rash burn, contact dermatitis, jock itch, pubic lice, scabies, yeast infection, psoriasis, eczema, and folliculitis. See a healthcare provider if the itching is severe, painful, persistent, or worsening.