Razor Burn vs. Herpes: Differences and Similarities

A razor burn is a red rash that appears on the skin after shaving unwanted hair, likely due to irritation and inflammation [3]. Razor burns can affect any area of the body that you shave, such as your face, neck, legs, armpits, or pubic area. Essentially anyone who shaves unwanted hair with a razor can be affected by razor burns.

Razor burns are not an infectious condition. Razor burns are likely to be caused by [3,4]:

• Shaving without water or a lubricant, such as soap and water or shaving cream or gel
• Shaving against the direction of hair growth
• Using an old or dull razor blade
• Using an unclean razor that is clogged with hair, soap, or shaving cream
• Shaving too many times in the same area
• Shaving too quickly
• Using products that can irritate the skin
• Having sensitive skin or skin that is prone to acne

Razor burns can be tender or itchy and may cause a burning, hot, or painful sensation [3]. Often, razor burns can be complicated by ingrown hairs resulting in bumps, referred to as razor bumps [4]. Razor burns appear like a red, patchy, or blotchy skin rash, while razor bumps look like small red pimples.

Usually, these symptoms occur within minutes after shaving. They are temporary and typically go away with time, ranging from a few hours to a few days [3,4].

You can do several things to help address razor burns. You can soothe and restore the skin by applying a cool washcloth, moisturizer, or aloe vera to the area [3]. To help with inflammation, you can use an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream. Call your healthcare provider if these treatment options do not clear up the razor burn within a few days.

Herpes is also known as oral or mouth herpes, genital herpes, and herpes simplex [1]. Herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus, type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) [1,2]. HSV-1 is the more common type and is associated with oral herpes [2]. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and is primarily attributed to HSV-2. There are an estimated 572,000 new genital herpes infections in the United States per year [1].

The herpes simplex virus is infectious. HSV-1 is typically transmitted through oral-to-oral contact with the virus in sores, saliva, or surfaces in or around the mouth [2,3]. HSV-2 is transmitted during sex through contact with infected genital or anal surfaces, skin, sores, or fluids. Even when there are no symptoms and the skin looks normal, HSV-2 can still be transmitted. Once infected, herpes is a chronic viral infection that is lifelong [1].

Most of the time, herpes infections are asymptomatic or symptoms are mild. However, herpes symptoms can include painful blisters or ulcers that can recur over time [1,2,5]. Symptoms often include fever, body aches, and swollen lymph nodes. Experiencing these types of symptoms is referred to as a herpes outbreak.

The first herpes outbreak usually has longer lesion durations and takes about 2 to 4 weeks for painful ulcers to heal [1]. Though recurrent symptoms are common with HSV-2 infection for genital herpes, the severity of recurrences decreases over time [1,2].

Currently, there is no cure for herpes [1,5]. However, your healthcare provider can prescribe antiviral medications to help manage the infection. Antiviral agents can help prevent outbreaks, shorten the time during outbreaks, or reduce the severity and frequency of symptoms. Daily antiviral therapies are also available and can reduce the chance of transmitting the herpes simplex virus to others.

There are significant differences in the way the symptoms appear between razor burns and herpes. Razor burns appear as a patchy skin rash; if ingrown hairs are present, they may also appear as small red pimple-like bumps [3,4]. In contrast, herpes tends to appear in clusters of fluid-filled sores or blisters [1,2]. Even though herpes bumps may go away, they can return. Herpes will often involve other symptoms as well, such as fever and headache.

Since razor burns and herpes outbreaks may have similar features, contact your healthcare provider if you are ever in doubt about your signs and symptoms. It’s essential to correctly identify each condition and treat it accordingly.