Facts You Never Knew About Folliculitis

Hair follicle inflammation leads to the common skin ailment known as folliculitis. It’s often brought on by a bacterial infection. The tiny pockets (hair follicles) from which each hair emerges may at first seem to be little pimples.

It may be uncomfortable, painful, and humiliating. Crusty sores may develop as the illness spreads.

With simple self-care, mild folliculitis will probably cure without leaving any scars in a few days. Prescription medication may be required for more severe or recurring infections. Severe infections that go untreated may result in scarring and irreversible hair loss.

Barber’s itch and hot tub rash are two names for specific forms of folliculitis.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of folliculitis include:

• Tiny lumps or pimples in groups surrounding the hair follicles
• Pus-filled blisters that rupture and become crusted
• Burning and itchy skin
• Sensitive, painful skin
• A swollen bump

Folliculitis

The appearance of superficial folliculitis might resemble a pustule.

Hot tub infection

Round, itchy pimples brought on by hot tub folliculitis may subsequently turn into tiny pus-filled blisters. Where your swimsuit presses water on your skin, the rash is probably going to be worse.

Barbae pseudofolliculitis

Curly beard wearers are susceptible to razor pimples. Another name for the disorder is pseudofolliculitis barbae. Inflammation results from shaved hairs that curl back into the skin.

Carbuncle

A group of painful, pus-filled boils that join to create an infected region beneath the skin is known as a carbuncle.

Folliculitis Types

Deep and superficial folliculitis are the two basic forms. The deep form affects the whole follicle and is often more severe; the superficial kind just affects a portion of the follicle.

The most prevalent forms of folliculitis are mentioned first and include:

• Folliculitis caused by bacteria. This typical variety looks like a rash of pus-filled pimples that itch. It happens when germs, most often Staphylococcus aureus (staph), invade hair follicles. Staph bacteria are always present on the skin. Additionally, when they enter the body via a cut or other wound, they might be problematic.
• Pseudomonas folliculitis, or hot tub rash. Round, itchy pimples make up this form of rash, which might appear one to two days after contact to the bacterium that causes it. Pseudomonas bacteria, which may be found in hot tubs, water slides, and heated pools with improper chlorine and pH levels, is what causes hot tub folliculitis.
• Pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor bumps). This rash may resemble folliculitis, but ingrown hairs, not diseased follicles, are to blame. It mostly affects those who shave too closely and have curly hair, and it is most obvious on the face and neck. Bikini waxing clients run the risk of developing razor lumps in the crotch.
• Pityrosporum folliculitis. Typically appearing on the back and chest, this form of rash consists of itchy, pus-filled pimples. A yeast infection is the reason behind it.
• Folliculitis that is gram-negative. Pus-filled lumps around the lips and nose are a result of this kind. When someone is on long-term antibiotic treatment for acne, it might sometimes develop.
• Eosinophilic folliculitis. This variety develops close to the hair follicles on the face and upper torso, causing severe itching and recurrent regions of bumps and pimples. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients are most affected. It is unclear what causes this disorder.
• Carbuncles and boils (furuncles). These happen when staph bacteria invade hair follicles profoundly. A boil often appears unexpectedly as a painful, swollen lump. A group of boils is known as a carbuncle.
• Barbadian sycosis. People who shave are affected by this kind.

When to see a doctor

If your disease is severe or the symptoms persist after a week or two of self-care techniques, schedule a visit with your doctor. To help manage the disease, you may need to take an antibiotic or antifungal with a prescription strength.

If you see symptoms of an illness spreading, get quick medical attention. A rapid rise in redness or discomfort, a temperature, chills, and a general sense of being poorly (malaise) are a few of these.

Causes

Folliculitis is often brought on by bacterial infections of the hair follicles, most frequently Staphylococcus aureus (staph). Viruses, fungus, parasites, medicines, and physical trauma may all contribute to it. It happens that the reason is unknown.

Folliculitis

Damaged hair follicles are susceptible to invasion by bacteria, fungus, and viruses. Folliculitis may occur as a result of this. The top portion of the hair follicle and the skin around it are both impacted by superficial folliculitis. More of the follicle, or possibly the whole thing, is affected by deep folliculitis.

Risk Factors

Folliculitis may strike anybody. Its risk is increased by a number of variables, including:

• Wearing heat- and sweat-trapping attire on a regular basis, such as high boots or rubber gloves
• Taking a dip in an unmaintained hot tub, whirlpool, or public pool
• Shaving, waxing, wearing restrictive clothing, or using hair products, wigs, or other hair accessories that might harm hair follicles
• Taking some medicines, including corticosteroid creams, prednisone, long-term antibiotic treatment for acne, and certain chemotherapy drugs
• Having dermatitis or hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
• Having a disease that weakens your resistance to infections, such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, or another one

Complications

Folliculitis may result in the following complications:

• Widespread or recurring illness
• Long-lasting scars
• Patches of skin that are either darker (hyperpigmentation) or lighter (hypopigmentation) than they were before to the disease developing
• Lifelong hair loss due to the destruction of hair follicles

Prevention

By adopting the following advice, you may attempt to avoid folliculitis:

• Wash your skin often. Each time, use a fresh washcloth and towel; never exchange towels or washcloths.
• Perform usual laundry. Towels, washcloths, and any uniforms or other items stained with oil should be washed in hot, soapy water.
• Avoid putting pressure or friction on your skin. Avoid wearing tight clothing, helmets, or backpacks on skin that is prone to folliculitis.
• In between usage, let your rubber gloves air dry. If you often use rubber gloves, wash, rinse, and dry them thoroughly after each use by turning them inside out.
• Shave as little as possible. If you don’t require a clean-shaven face, growing a beard may be a viable alternative for persons with facial folliculitis.
• Carefully shave. Adopt these behaviors if you shave to help manage symptoms:
• Shaving after cleansing your face with warm water and a light facial cleanser (Cetaphil, CeraVe, etc.)
• Raising trapped hairs using a washcloth or washing pad in a gently circular motion before shaving
• Use a lot of shaving cream before shaving

• Using an electric razor or a blade with a guard can help you avoid shaving too close, as will not straining your skin.
• Using a fresh, razor-sharp blade, and washing it with warm water after each stroke
• Limiting the number of times you shave the same region
• Following shaving, use a moisturizing lotion
• Avoiding sharing towels, washcloths, and razors
• Try depilatories or other hair removal procedures, or hair removal products. However, they too could cause skin irritation.
• Treat corresponding ailments. Treat the ailment you are aware is causing your symptoms if it is not folliculitis. For instance, hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, may result in folliculitis. By taking regular baths, changing out of sweaty clothes, and using antiperspirant, you may attempt to avoid this.
• Use only spotless heated pools and hot tubs. The Centers for Disease Control advise that you take off your swimwear and take a soapy shower as soon as you exit the water. Next, wash your swimwear as well. If you have a heated pool or hot tub, be sure you clean it often and apply chlorine as directed.

Discuss with your healthcare professional. If your folliculitis recurs often, your doctor could advise preventing bacterial development in your nose. You may need a prescription for a five-day supply of antibiotic ointment. Additionally, you may need to use a body wash containing chlorhexidine.