It's been a painful couple of days for me. I'm about 5 months along, and I developed these huge "pimples" in my groin area that made it hard for me to walk, or even get up off a chair. I tried a few things at home to help them: warm compresses, sulfur acne medication, neosporin, tea tree oil, ice, nothing seemed to help and it just got worse. Finally made an appointment and lucked out by getting squeezed in this morning.

She took one look and said they're infected hair follicles. Even though I don't shave or wax as of late (too lazy/sick/don't care). She said with the lower immune system, and if you're prone to acne anyway (I am, especially since getting pregnant), it can get pretty bad and easily infected, especially in such an easily irritated area of the body.

I had to have them lanced. It was truly awful - they were so swollen and painful, and then to get several shots of anesthesia and steroids, followed by having them cut open, it was not cool AT ALL. Now I'm basically packed with gauze, and on a drug called Keflex to stave off any lingering infection (it's a cat B for pregnancy).

So here's the PSA part - don't let your hair follicles get infected! NO FUN AT ALL. She said to wash daily with a mild soap like cetaphil, dry well, and if you've shaved or waxed recently, swipe with peroxide. Always use a new razor blade too.

Although I hadn't shaved lately, she just said it can happen if a follicle gets irritated - underwear pulling on it or maybe one got yanked out and infection got in, etc. Just wanted to pass on the peroxide tip and say - if this does happen to you definitely get it lanced because even though the procedure was hell on wheels, the relief when it was over was nearly immediate!