Beards are one of the most attractive features on a man's face. However, as attractive beards can look, they can be equally challenging to maintain. The main problem that arises for men with beards is itching, despite washing their faces regularly. If not taken care of and groomed properly, that good look won't feel good anymore, and you can end up in a constant "my beard is itchy" state. But how is beard itching problem caused? Let's find out.
Why Do Beards Itch?
No matter how long your beard is or how often you have shaved, it's common for your facial hair to become itchy. Sometimes, your beard itch may be hardly noticeable, but other times, it may feel like it's burning every inch of your face and body.
Unlike the hair on your head, beard hair is referred to as androgenic hair because testosterone is primarily responsible for its growth. A byproduct of testosterone known as dihydrotestosterone also contributes to hair growth on our faces. The hair on your face grows thicker and faster when you have more testosterone.
Various factors can contribute to itchy beard causes, including natural processes and certain infections.
1. Facial Hair Growth
After shaving, the sharp end of each hair is left within the follicle - the tube that contains and protects each hair. These sharp edges can scratch the follicle as the hair grows out, making it itchy. Hence, when your beard grows after you've shaved, it feels itchy.
2. Ingrown hair
A shaved or cut hair that grows back behind the follicle instead of out makes your beard itchy because the irritated follicle causes inflammation. Whenever you shave your beard, you'll notice ingrown hairs as red, itchy, and occasionally painful bumps around the shaved area.
3. Dry skin
As a result of the dry or cold weather or because of genetics, certain medications, and certain diseases, dry skin or xerosis can develop, which can cause your beard to itch. Other products like soaps, shampoos, and conditioners can also alter the moisture in your skin, drying out your skin and making your facial hair itch.
4. Folliculitis
A bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic infection can cause inflammation in the hair follicles where your beard hair grows, leading to folliculitis infection. When you have ingrown hair, the hair follicle may clog, which can also cause this problem. Folliculitis manifests in your beard area as painful, red, and swollen follicles that may form blisters and leak pus as well.
5. Tinea barbae
Tinea barbae is caused by a fungus called dermatophyte, which affects the facial hair region. The skin around your mouth, cheeks, and underneath your chin appears to be red, inflamed, and crusty if you have this fungal infection.
6. Seborrheic dermatitis
Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin condition that makes your skin scaly, irritated, and flaky. In addition to the scalp, this condition is common on the face in and around your beard, particularly if your skin has an oily base. The appearance of yellow, greasy scales and red skin are some of the symptoms of a beard rash, and you may notice flakes coming off when you rub your hair or your facial skin.
7. Pseudofolliculitis barbae
As the hair grows from the follicle, pseudofolliculitis barbae is caused when your hair grows into the skin and cuts it or curves back into your skin. Usually, it occurs when shaved facial hairs and causes razor bumps. Razor bumps have many folliculitis symptoms and can cause secondary infections.
Treatment for Beard Itch
There are various ways to treat your itchy beard if it is caused by a skin infection or any other underlying condition.
1. Medications
- For treating dry skin, start by using a good facial moisturiser and then use prescribed ointments. Also, creams containing lactic acid and urea can help reduce flaking but can also irritate the skin.
- For treating folliculitis, you can use medications such as mupirocin (Bactroban) if the infection is bacterial, antifungal cream if the infection is fungal, and corticosteroid cream if there is no infection. Skincare products containing keratolytic, such as topical benzoyl peroxide, may be beneficial to those prone to folliculitis or pseudofolliculitis.
- For treating tinea barbae in case of a mild infection, topical antifungal therapy might be helpful. The use of oral antifungal therapies, like itraconazole (Sporanox) or terbinafine (Lamisil), can often be more effective.
- For treating seborrheic dermatitis, several topical steroid products, such as hydrocortisone, can help deal with acute inflammation, and antifungal products can help you prevent outbreaks. Clobetasol may be prescribed in cases of extreme severity.
- For treating pseudofolliculitis barbae, do not shave for at least 3 to 4 weeks until the lesions have cleared up. Once they have, switch to shaving every other day rather than every day. You can also use glycolic acid (NeoStrata).
2. Surgery
- When your beard itch from constant infections or other causes of inflammation, laser hair removal might be recommended by your doctor. This is one way to do it.
- If you have boils or carbuncles, also known as skin abscesses, your doctor may need to make incisions for drainage. A carbuncle accumulates several boils that may be causing or aggravating an infection.
- Inflammation and infection of hair follicles can also be treated with photodynamic therapy (light).
Also Read: The Dos and Don’ts of Beard Transplants
Home Remedies For Itchy Beard
We've got the tips you need to keep your beard healthy and prevent itching. Just live by these itchy beard home remedies, easy to follow, to give you a healthy beard and also prevent that itch that makes you crazy.
1. Maintain Hygiene
The beard is a part of your face, so as the beard grows, you notice that your face becomes greasy and oily, further resulting in bacterial infections leading to acne, which makes your beard itchy. Face hygiene is key to good bearded hygiene, so make sure your skin is clean and oil-free. Use a face wash or cleanser that is appropriate for your skin type at least twice a day to wash your face and beard. Wipe your beard with a clean towel or wet wipes to prevent excess sweat from gathering in it throughout the day.
2. Moisturise & Condition
Maintaining your beard at all times means keeping it clean, as well as moisturised and conditioned. Despite being short, beard hair can still be extremely messy and tangled even though it differs from the hair on our heads. If your hair is hard, you will experience more itchy and scratchy facial hair.
So moisturise your beard every week with a soft conditioner or with natural ingredients such as aloe vera and coconut oil, and you will be able to handle it more effectively. Consume a balanced diet and drink plenty of water, and make sure to moisturise each time you wash your face or shave.
3. Trim Whenever Needed
Unkempt and overgrown beards are breeding grounds for bacterial infections and microbes. Moreover, it appears unattractive, with excessive sweating and itching both being a consequence of it as well. To avoid this, always trim your beard whenever necessary.
4. Avoid Using Chemical Products
The products that groom your beard might look appealing, but they are often made with harsh chemicals that can cause severe irritation, hard hair, and itchiness in the bearded area. Toxins are the worst thing you can do to your beard and can cause skin irritation under the beard. Be sure to read labels carefully before buying, and until it's necessary, stick to natural methods for keeping your beard.
5. Comb and Groom
Brushing your beard every morning and evening helps keep it looking more groomed and get rid of any remnants of food or dust that are stuck in it. You can keep your beard tangle-free and tidy by combing it with wooden combs or brushes. This helps keep it clean, itchy, and in good condition for a long time.
How To Shampoo Properly to Avoid Itchy Beard
Beard needs to be washed regularly to stay clean, but you should also make sure that you take certain measures to keep it healthy. Regular shampoo shouldn't be used on a beard since the skin on your head and your face differ.
Face skin is far more sensitive than your scalp, so regular shampoo would dry out your beard if used there. Moreover, regular shampoos and soap bars will take away all of your skin's natural oils, leading to damage to your skin and hair while clogging your pores and making your beard itch even worse.
Thus, beard shampoos are specially formulated to meet this need. Itchy beard and flaky skin are no match for beard shampoos, which include compounds that remove dead skin cells embedded in your beard, all while hydrating and cleaning it. However, if you overuse it, then you will experience all the same problems as if you were using regular shampoo.
Therefore, shampooing your beard is a task that should be done properly. Following is an appropriate yet easy beard cleaning routine that you should follow to keep it healthy.
- Exfoliate the surface of your beard with a boar bristle beard brush before you start washing it.
- Moisten your beard with warm water as it will open your pores, and your beard will grow more easily, but be careful not to let the water become too hot, or your beard will dry out.
- Apply beard shampoo to your beard and rub it in with your fingertips to stimulate all the follicles of the beard and skin
- Remove all remaining shampoo residue by thoroughly rinsing the shampoo in all directions.
- Dry the beard using a towel after it has been washed to avoid water accumulation as it may irritate the skin. You should not be too harsh or forceful to avoid irritation and itching when you do this.
If your beard is more susceptible to dirt and dust, make it a point to wash it more often but without using beard shampoo. A simple rinse with water will suffice in this scenario, or gentle soap would be suitable. The beard will be cleaned and moisturised without being stripped of its natural oils.
Summing Up On Itchy Beard
It isn't surprising that beards can be extremely itch-prone, especially if you are just starting to grow one. It is essential to practice proper hygiene and take care of any infections as soon as possible to prevent potential damage to your skin and hair. You should always seek out help from a medical professional in case of the severity of the condition.
FAQs
What Causes Beard Dermatitis?
The cause of beard dermatitis can be sweating and bacterial or fungal infections, all of which cause an itchy, inflamed skin condition, which is prevalent among men who grow beards. A lack of hygiene, ingrown hairs, acne vulgaris, and excessive use of hair care products such as soap can also contribute to an itchy beard.
Does an Itchy Beard Mean It's Growing?
A beard itching problem is not always an indication that your beard is growing. However, it is normal for mild itchiness to accompany the switch to bristles from clean-shaven. The bristles tickle your face as they break through the skin's sensitive surface to grow, causing your beard to itch.
Should I Scratch My Beard?
It is best to avoid scratching an itchy beard since this will make it worse and cause harm to the skin. It can also make the skin more susceptible to fungal and bacterial infections.
How Long Does an Itchy Beard Last?
Beard itch is a temporary condition lasting roughly one to three weeks. You can apply beard oil to relieve the itchiness if it becomes unbearable. However, the longer you grow your beard, the easier it will be to maintain than shaving every day.
Does Beard Oil Stop Itching?
Yes, Beard oils stop itching. It not only moisturises your beard, but they protect it from pollutants, which can irritate the skin in your daily life. Maintaining soft, moisturised, and flake-free skin by using these products is key to combating itchiness and irritation. Before you take on the day, use these products as a final step in your routine.
What Does Beard Fungus Look Like?
Depending on where it appears, ringworm or beard fungus may affect either the outer skin surface or deep skin lining. Generally, a superficial infection will appear pink-to-red scaly patches with a diameter of 1 to 5 cm. Pustules (purulent bumps) can also be seen on the affected skin. If your beard ringworm is more advanced, you may see firm red nodules covering pustules and scabs with blood and pus coming out.
References
- Ana Cristina Laureano, December 2014; Facial bacterial infections: folliculitis - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25441463/
- T J Jasterzbski, April 2015; Pseudofolliculitis cutis: a vexing disorder of hair growth -https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25255890/
- NHS, Dandruff - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dandruff/
- Gary Clark, Sara M. Pope, February 2015; Diagnosis and treatment of seborrheic dermatitis -https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Diagnosis-and-treatment-of-seborrheic-dermatitis.-Clark-Pope/87c1cc0f97f729dde45c98d3d8338fc1e51d6ea7?p2df
