What to know about the skin condition in the Nassau police discrimination lawsuit

A federal lawsuit filed by four Nassau police officers has brought renewed attention to the skin condition called pseudofolliculitis barbae. In the suit, the officers allege discrimination over the condition. Here’s what you need to know about it.

What is Pseudofolliculitis barbae?

It is a common — and irritating — affliction also known as razor bumps or shaving bumps, which affects up to 60% of Black men nationwide, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.

Dr. Pooja R. Shah, a dermatologist at Northwell Health and director of dermatology at the Katz Institute for Women’s Health, said it's "a chronic inflammatory condition of hair bearing areas, often triggered by shaving. It happens in people who have naturally curly hair ... When you shave curly hair, sometimes the hair starts going in a different direction, and goes in the skin, curves back on itself, causing ingrown hairs. If that continues with multiple different hair follicles, that’s when you call it pseudofolliculitis barbae."

What are the effects of the condition?

Shah said using razors with multiple blades or shaving against the hair growth "can trigger this condition. Overtime, it can result in scarring, similar to acne scarring." She said it also can cause discoloration and "become quite a cosmetic concern for some folks. For these patients, we tend to say use clippers to trim the hair, rather than shave close to the skin, or avoid shaving altogether."

Shah added the bumps can be "very irritating" and become inflamed. "It can be quite uncomfortable for these patients."

The U.S. Army is phasing out permanent exemptions for troops with pseudofolliculitis barbae that allowed them to grow beards

“This update reinforces our culture that fosters discipline — and discipline equals readiness,” Sgt. Maj. of the Army Michael R. Weimer in a news release posted on the Army’s website. The Army will continue to allow temporary medical waivers and permanent waivers for religious reasons.

What treatments are available for the condition?

Shaving every other day, rather than daily, can help heal pseudofolliculitis barbae, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. Men who suffer from the condition should soften their beards with a hot, wet washcloth for five minutes and use lubricating shaving gel.

Electric shavers also help because they do not cut as close as blades do, the college says. Some with the skin condition turn to chemical shaving products, but while they dissolve hair, they can also cause burns on facial skin. And Shah said topical medications can be applied, "and sometimes we need to do oral antibiotics."