Quick Relief and Prevention Tips for Beard Burn

Summary: Have you ever gotten a red, itchy rash after kissing someone with a beard? That’s called beard burn, sometimes known as "stache rash." It is a type of friction burn caused by facial hair rubbing against your skin during kissing or oral sex. You can get it on your face or your genitals.

To soothe a beard burn on your face, you can use aloe vera, moisturizing creams, or oatmeal. For lower areas, try a warm sitz bath or zinc ointment. Make sure you don't use harsh chemicals like hydrogen peroxide! Usually, a mild burn heals in a few days, but worse cases can take up to three weeks. However, there is a catch: the tiny cuts from the burn can actually increase your risk of catching a sexually transmitted infection (STI) because germs can easily enter the open skin. If the rash oozes, shows signs of infection, or doesn't go away after three weeks, you need to see a doctor. The only real ways to prevent it are to have your partner shave the beard, or take a break from kissing!

For more details, see verywellhealth at verywellhealth.com/beard-burn-8607881 (opens in new tab)