Why Is Your Pubic Hair Itchy—and How Can You Treat It?

Your pubic hair may be itchy due to razor burn, allergic reactions, pubic lice (crabs), jock itch, eczema, or psoriasis. In addition to itchy skin, you may also notice bumps, dry skin patches, or redness. 

Avoiding irritating body products and following a proper shaving routine can often help prevent and treat an itchy pubic area. However, you may need an antifungal medication or antibiotics to treat infections. Underlying skin conditions may also require prescription topical and oral medications to relieve itchy, irritated skin. 

Causes and Treatments of Itchy Pubic Hair

Different conditions and hygiene habits can irritate the skin and hair follicles in your pubic area, leading to itchy pubic hair. Experiencing itchy pubic hair after shaving is common and typically isn't serious. However, you may be itchy because of an underlying skin condition, skin infection, or sexually transmitted infection (STI), all of which might require treatment.

Razor Burn

Razor burn, also known as pseudofolliculitis barbae or razor bumps, is usually to blame for itchy pubic hair. When shaving, your razor can create micro-tears in your skin, irritating your skin and hair follicles. Other hair removal methods—like waxing or tweezing—can also irritate the skin. 

As a result, your skin develops small, itchy red bumps around your hair follicles. As pubic hair grows back, the hair can also curve back into the skin and cause irritated ingrown hairs. Irritation is even more likely if you use a dull razor or shave without properly lubricating the skin.

The main symptoms of razor burn include:

• Small, inflamed bumps around hair follicles
• Burning or stinging on or around the pubic area
• Itching that increases when warm
• Ingrown hairs

Treatment

If you have razor burn, avoid shaving your pubic area until the bumps and itching disappear. You can typically get rid of razor bumps by leaving the area alone.

When you're ready to start shaving again, use a clean, sharp razor and lubricate the skin with a moisturizing shaving cream. Shaving in the direction your pubic hair grows can also reduce your risk of razor burn. 

A dermatologist can also prescribe topical corticosteroid creams (anti-inflammatories) or retinoids to help treat razor burns. If razor burn or ingrown hairs become infected, you may need topical or oral antibiotics.

Contact Dermatitis

Allergens or irritants that touch your pubic area can cause inflamed, itchy, and sore skin, also known as contact dermatitis.

A type of contact dermatitis is irritant dermatitis, which is when friction or irritating detergents, soaps, or products cause a skin rash. This rash would occur in anyone under the same circumstances, such as during excessive hand washing.

Another type is allergic contact dermatitis, which is when the skin comes in contact with something you're allergic to. For example, if you're allergic to fragrances in personal care products, adhesives in panty liners, or latex in condoms, and the item touches your pubic area, it could cause your pubic skin and hair to itch. This reaction would be specific to the person and their allergy.

Contact dermatitis symptoms can vary. People may also develop symptoms immediately, 24-48 hours after exposure, or up to 72 hours after irritant or allergen contact. Other symptoms of contact dermatitis may include: 

• A large rash that itches and burns for days or weeks
• Red bumps that can blister and drain (allergic contact dermatitis) 
• Warm, tender skin
• Severe itching (allergic contact dermatitis) 
• Scaly or raw skin
• Dry, thick skin (irritant contact dermatitis) 

Treatment

Contact dermatitis will often resolve if you leave the area alone. However, you may want to wash your pubic area with warm water to get rid of any irritants or allergens lingering on your skin. Applying a light, unscented moisturizer can also help relieve and repair inflamed and damaged skin.

Your healthcare provider may also recommend a topical corticosteroid or pimecromilus (Elidel) cream to help reduce swelling and irritation. Topical tacrolimus (Prograf) ointment or corticosteroid pills or shots may also help treat severe contact dermatitis.

Intertrigo

Inflammation of the skin folds around the groin area, or intertrigo, can make your pubic hair feel itchy. Intertrigo is caused by moisture and bacteria collecting in areas of skin-to-skin friction, which irritates the skin and can cause it to break down. This itchy skin rash also increases your risk of infection from bacteria or fungi that thrive in moist skin folds.

You're more likely to get intertrigo if you have diabetes or obesity. People on bed rest or living in warm climates are also at risk.

Other symptoms of intertrigo include:

• Bright red patches in skin folds that often weep fluid
• Scaly skin patches or plaques
• Bad odor from the affected skin

Treatment

Separating folds near the groin with dry towels, drying the area with a fan, or wearing loose clothing and moisture-wicking fabrics may help treat intertrigo at home. However, see a healthcare provider if your itching and rash don't go away with home remedies.

You may need an antibiotic or antifungal cream to treat bacterial or fungal infections caused by intertrigo. Drying medicine like Domeboro (aluminum acetate) soaks, low-dose topical steroids, or protective creams or powders may also help.

Folliculitis

Folliculitis can lead to irritation and itching due to inflamed or infected pubic hair follicles. Shaving pubic hair, soaking in dirty hot tubs, or having chafing in the groin area can cause folliculitis. Body oils and dirt can clog or damage the hair follicles, allowing bacteria and fungus to grow and cause an infection in the hair follicles. Folliculitis is similar to an acne breakout and can happen anywhere hair grows. 

Other symptoms of folliculitis may include: 

• Small clusters of red bumps around hair follicles
• Pus-filled blisters that can crust over
• Stinging or burning 
• Hair loss from scratching the skin
• Skin tenderness or pain

Treatment

If you have a healthy immune system, folliculitis will likely go away on its own if you leave it alone and wear loose, breathable clothing—especially after swimming or working out. Applying a warm compress to the area for 15-20 minutes a few times daily can help relieve folliculitis. You should also avoid shaving or other hair removal methods for at least 30 days.

If folliculitis doesn't resolve on its own, you may need to see a healthcare provider for prescription topical or oral antibiotics.

Jock Itch

Jock itch (tinea cruris) is a fungal infection that causes an itchy rash on the groin or buttocks. Athletes and people who live in hot, humid climates are more susceptible to this fungal infection. Fungus thrives in warm, moist areas like the groin that can become sweaty.

Jock itch can quickly spread to other areas of skin or to other people through skin-to-skin contact or sharing towels or clothing.

In addition to intense pubic itching, symptoms of jock itch may include:

• A red, raised rash with a scaly border 
• Pus-filled blisters around the rash that may ooze
• Discolored skin
• A rash that spreads to the genitals or inner thighs
• Groin discomfort when exercising or walking

Treatment

Most jock itch can be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal creams, sprays, or powders like Lotrimin (clotrimazole), Mitrazol (miconazole), or Lamisil (terbinafine). It's also important to keep the area dry and clean while you treat the infection. Wearing loose-fitting and breathable clothes can help keep the skin dry. 

If home treatment doesn't get rid of jock itch, see your healthcare provider. They can prescribe a stronger antifungal like Oxistat (oxiconazole), Spectazole (econazole), Diflucan (fluconazole), or Sporanox (itraconazole). 

Yeast Infection (Candidiasis)

Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans fungus that naturally lives on your skin and inside the vagina. A vaginal yeast infection can make the pubic hair and skin on the vulva extremely itchy.

Vaginal yeast infections are usually caused by too much moisture, hormonal changes, or antibiotic use that disrupts the balance of yeast and bacteria. Moisture and friction in the skin folds around the groin or the penis can also cause itchy skin yeast infections.   

Other yeast infection symptoms can include:

• Itchiness and soreness of the vulva (external genitals in females)
• Odorless cottage cheese-like vaginal discharge 
• Redness or swelling of the vagina or vulva 
• Painful urination
• Pain during sex
• Red skin lesions on the groin (skin yeast infection)
• Small red pimples around lesions (skin yeast infection)

Treatment

Yeast infections are treated with OTC or prescription antifungal medications. Vaginal yeast infections can often be treated with OTC antifungal medications like Monistat (miconazole), which are applied as a cream or suppository into the vagina. More severe or recurrent vaginal yeast infections may require prescription antifungal medications like Diflucan (fluconazole) tablets or Terazol (terconazole) ointment.

Skin yeast infections in the groin area are typically treated with antifungal creams like Micatin (miconazole), Lotrimin (clotrimazole), or Nizoral (ketoconazole).

Pubic Lice (Crabs)

Pubic lice, also known as crabs or Pthirus pubis, are small, parasitic insects that like to live in pubic hair, facial hair, armpit hair, and chest hair. These tiny insects feed off your blood, and their bites can cause severe itching.

Crabs usually pass during sex with an infected partner. You can also get pubic lice by sharing clothes, bedding, or towels with someone with crabs. Pubic lice are also not the same as head lice.

Other symptoms of pubic lice typically include: 

• Pubic itching that gets worse at night
• Lice visibly crawling on the pubic area
• Tiny white eggs (nits) on pubic hair

Treatment

Pubic lice can be treated with lice-killing OTC lotions or shampoos like Nix (1% permethrin). More severe infestations can be treated with prescription options like Gamene (lindane) shampoo, Ovide (0.5% malathion) lotion, or Stromectol (ivermectin) tablets. If you have pubic lice, you should also notify any sexual partners, clean linens in hot water, and have additional STI testing. 

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red, scaly patches of skin (plaques). Inverse psoriasis is a type of psoriasis that affects the groin and other skin folds, which can make the pubic area itchy.

People with psoriasis have an overactive immune system that causes skin cells to grow rapidly, causing itchy plaques and lesions. These rashes can flare up for a few weeks or months at a time.

Other symptoms of psoriasis can include:

• Dry or cracked skin that bleeds
• Mild to moderate itching
• Shiny, red or purple patches of skin
• Raised skin with silver, scaly patches
• Small inflamed bumps

Treatment

Seeing a dermatologist can help you determine the right treatment for inverse or genital psoriasis. Some common ways to treat psoriasis include: 

• Keeping the skin moisturized
• Applying topical corticosteroids
• Applying topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs) like tacrolimus (Prograf) or pimecrolimus (Elidel)
• Washing with mild coal tar soap
• Using topical vitamin D analogs like calcipotriene (Calcitrene) cream
• Using non-steroidal topical treatments like Vtama (tapinarof) and Zoryve (roflumilast)

More severe cases of inverse psoriasis may need to be treated with biologic medications, topical antimicrobials, topical retinoids, or oral immunosuppressant agents like cyclosporine.

Eczema (atopic dermatitis)

Atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema, is an inflammatory skin condition that causes an itchy, dry, and inflamed rash. It can occur anywhere on the body, including the genitals and pubic area. Eczema is likely linked to genetics and triggers like cold weather, stress, irritants that dry skin, or allergies. 

Symptoms of eczema can include: 

• Itchy skin followed by a red, swollen rash
• Blisters that ooze and crust
• Skin discoloration
• Raw skin from scratching 

Treatment

Eczema can often be managed with home remedies like OTC moisturizers or mild topical steroids. Using a humidifier, avoiding products with fragrance and alcohol, taking lukewarm showers, and taking antihistamines for itchiness can also help treat eczema. 

For more severe eczema, a dermatologist may also prescribe medications or treatments like:

• Topical corticosteroids
• Biologic injections like Adbry (tralokinumab) 
• Topical calcineurin or phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) inhibitors
• Ultraviolet (UV) light therapy

Scabies

Scabies is an infection caused by tiny burrowing mites called Sarcoptes scabiei. These little insects burrow into the top layer of skin to feed on blood and lay eggs. This can cause itchy skin and sometimes a rash on the genitals, buttocks, wrists, elbows, and feet. Scabies can pass from skin-to-skin contact during sex or by sharing clothing, towels, or bedding with an infected person. 

Other symptoms of scabies include: 

• Itching that gets worse while sleeping
• Spotty, inflamed rashes
• S-shaped track or line of rashes

Treatment

Scabies must be treated with medications prescribed by a healthcare provider. Prescription permethrin (Elimite) 5% cream or malathion (Ovide) 0.5% lotion can typically treat a scabies infestation in a few days.

When To See a Healthcare Provider

If you are experiencing pubic hair itching that doesn't go away, see your healthcare provider. You may have a skin condition or an infection that will only improve with treatment. 

You should also seek medical care if you experience pubic itching along with these symptoms:

• Fever
• Aches or pains
• Redness or swelling 
• Cracked, bleeding skin
• Rashes or sores that don't resolve
• Unusual discharge from the penis or vagina
• Pain during sex or urination
• Rash that spreads beyond the groin

How Is Itchy Pubic Hair Diagnosed?

To diagnose what's causing itchy pubic hair, your healthcare provider will typically perform a pelvic exam to physically identify signs of skin infections, skin conditions, or STIs. Pubic lice can also be diagnosed by physically finding a louse in the pubic hair or in other areas of body hair. Your provider will also ask you about your symptoms, medical history, and sexual activity to help rule out certain conditions.

Your healthcare provider may also order diagnostic tests to help rule out infections, allergies, and STIs, including: 

• Yeast test: This entails taking a swab test of vaginal discharge and looking at it under a microscope to identify the fungal cells causing a yeast infection. 
• STI tests: The provider can identify STIs by taking blood, urine, or swab tests of the vagina, cervix, penis, or urethra.
• Skin biopsy: A biopsy helps identify skin conditions and infections by scraping away an area of skin or a part of a rash and examining it under the microscope.
• Allergy testing: The provider will perform patch testing, or apply potential allergens to small areas of the skin, and look for reactions to determine allergic or irritant reactions.  
  

How To Prevent Itchy Pubic Hair

You can help prevent itchy pubic hair with proper hygiene and shaving techniques. Ways you can reduce your risk of itchy pubic area include:

• Use gentle cleansers: Wash your pubic area and body with a fragrance-free, gentle cleanser instead of harsh, scented soaps. Vulvas and vaginas only need to be washed with warm water.
• Moisturize: If you have a dry skin condition like eczema or psoriasis, use a moisturizer to rehydrate the skin barrier.
• Keep your genitals dry: Change out of wet clothes after working out or swimming. Make sure to gently towel dry your body and genitals after showering. 
• Avoid irritating products: Avoid using vaginal douches, perfumed soaps, feminine hygiene sprays, and scented period products that can irritate skin. 
• Choose cotton underwear: Wear cotton underwear instead of synthetic fabrics to help your skin breathe more and reduce your risk of infections.
• Change your shaving routine: Wait to shave at the end of your shower to allow pores to open and hair to soften. Use a moisturizing shaving cream and shave with a clean razor in the direction your pubic hair grows. 
• Replace your razor often: Toss your disposable razors after five to seven shaves, or clean an electric razor after each use.
• Skip shaving your pubic hair: Trim your pubic hair instead of shaving to avoid razor burn and irritation. 
• Practice safer sex: Use barrier methods, like condoms, when having sex to decrease our risk of STIs. Get regular STI testing, and encourage any partners to do the same.  

A Quick Review

Itchy pubic hair is often caused by skin conditions, infections, or hygiene habits that irritate the skin and hair follicles. Common causes of itchy pubic hair include razor burn, allergic reactions, pubic lice (crabs), jock itch, eczema, and psoriasis.

If you have itchy pubic hair that doesn't resolve in a few days after changing your shaving, moisturizing, or hygiene habits, see your healthcare provider. You may have an infection or underlying skin condition that needs treatment.