By NURSE PRACTITIONER ILA SHEBAR
Warmer weather is here, and bikini season is on the horizon. Some of my friends get the pubic hair removal known as the "Brazilian," meaning most, if not all, related hair is waxed off. I am considering having this done. Is there any risk to it that I should know about?
Bikini area grooming can make you more susceptible to infections. Think of the fur of animals. It protects them against the outside environment. Your pubic hair actually does the same for you.
Pubic hair is one layer of defense against all types of infections. Thus, removing all of it may leave you more vulnerable. Healthy skin is also a layer of protection. Any cuts, no matter how small, can leave one open to infection.
Preliminary results from a small study done at a private health clinic in France suggest removing pubic hair through methods such as waxing or shaving may increase the risk of getting skin infections through sex.
The study found a statistical association based on 30 patients infected with sexually-transmitted molluscum contagiosum. When questioned, 93 percent of these patients said they had some form of pubic hair removal. Seventy percent of them shaved, 13 percent clipped and 10 percent waxed.
Molluscum contagiosum is a skin infection of small, raised bumps caused by a virus. It is very common in children but can affect adults as well, especially if they have a weakened immune system.
This virus is spread by skin to skin contact. It can be sexual contact with an affected partner, or touching the bump and then touching the skin. Touching an object that has the virus on it can also spread this infection. If the bumps are scratched or injured, the infection can spread to surrounding skin.
Molluscum contagiosum appears as small flesh colored bumps and often have an indented center. They can appear alone or in groups. They are usually painless. They can range in size from a pinhead to the size of a pencil eraser. They can occur on the trunk, face, eyelids or genital area.
When molluscum contagiosum occur in the genital area, it is considered a sexually-transmitted disease. It is usually seen on the genitals, lower abdomen, inner upper thighs and buttocks.
It is considered contagious until the bumps are gone.
The time from exposure to developing the bumps is usually two to seven weeks but can be as long as six months!
To prevent it from spreading, don't touch it. Wash your hands often. You may want to cover the area with a bandage to prevent contact. Don't share personal items such as razors, towels and washcloths.
Avoid sexual contact until the bumps are treated and completely resolved. You should also stop shaving until the condition is resolved because this will cause it to spread more.
If your provider determines that you have molluscum contagiosum in your genital area, you should be tested for other sexually transmitted diseases as well. Having open sores from a sexually-transmitted disease can make one vulnerable to skin infections if the skin is broken in any way.
Most of the time molluscum contagiosum requires no treatment and resolves on its own within six to 12 months.
Treatment is usually given for molluscum contagiosum in the genital area to prevent it from spreading as it is so contagious. Treatment can include freezing them off using cryotherapy or scraping them off.
Your provider may also use chemicals, liquids or creams to remove them, similar to treatment of warts, or laser therapy.
The bottom line is to be cautious with pubic/pelvic hair removal. If you're going to wax, go to a reputable salon that uses good, clean techniques. Laser hair removal that doesn't break the skin is safest, but can be costly.
If you shave and note any redness, irritation, inflammation or cuts, be sure to keep the area very clean. Use an over-the-counter cortisone cream or anti-infection ointment as needed. And avoid sexual contact until the area is completely healed.
Ila Shebar is a women's health nurse practitioner specializing in women's pelvic health and continence at Pioneer Valley Urology in Springfield. Her "Ask Ila" column appears every other Wednesday in the Health & Science section of The Republican and on MassLive.com. She can be reached at ilashebarnp.pvu@gmail .com