Folliculitis - Information on Folliculitis

Folliculitis Information

Folliculitis is a type of skin disorder in which small , white-headed pimples around one or more hair follicles Folliculitis is the infection of hair follicles. This can occur anywhere on the skin or scalp. Usually there is some itch, sometimes a little soreness. Folliculitis looks like acne pimples or non-healing, crusty sores. With common names like hot tub folliculitis and barber's itch, folliculitis may sound more like a bad joke than a skin disorder. But folliculitis, an infection of the hair follicles, is no laughing matter. Severe cases may cause permanent hair loss and scarring, and even mild folliculitis can be uncomfortable and embarrassing.

We have provided you here all symptoms, causes and treatment methods of Folliculitis.

Causes of Folliculitis

1)The damaged follicles are then infected with the bacteria staphylococcus (staph)

2)Barber's itch is a staph infection of the hair follicles in the beard area of the face, usually the upper lip

3)If curly beard hairs are cut too short, they may curve back into the skin and cause inflammation.

4)Folliculitis starts when hair follicles are damaged by friction from clothing, blockage of the follicle, or shaving.

Treatment of Folliculitis

Methods For Treating Folliculitis are :

• Minimize friction from clothing.
• Avoid shaving the area if possible (if shaving is necessary, use a clean new razor blade or an electric razor each time).
• Keep the area clean.
• Topical antibiotics (mupirocin), oral antibiotics (dicloxacillin), or antifungal medications may be needed to control the infection
• doctor may prescribe an oral or topical medication to help relieve itching (anti-pruritic). More serious cases may require an oral antibiotic.
• Pityrosporum folliculitis. Topical or oral antifungals are the most effective treatments for this type of folliculitis
• Avoid reinfection from contaminated clothing and washcloths. Hot moist compresses may promote drainage of extensive folliculitis.
• A pill such as tetracycline or minocycline can be given for 4 to 6 weeks. Unless the skin is sensitive, drying, antiseptic lotions should be used on the affected areas such as Xerac-AC (aluminum chlorhydrate solution), Cleocin-T solution or Benzaclin gel.
• Resistant and recurrent cases, especially on the legs may clear with hair removal laser treatments. This may be expensive and require several treatments, but is helpful when other treatments fail.