If you may have red, itchy, painful patches in your skin, you might have folliculitis. Learn what folliculitis is, methods to treat it, and methods to prevent it.
What is folliculitis?
Folliculitis is inflammation of hair follicles, the little pockets in your skin where hair grows. When these follicles develop into inflamed or infected, they could cause small, red, and sometimes pus-filled bumps on the skin. Folliculitis can occur anywhere you may have hair, however it is commonest on the face, scalp, arms, and legs.
Causes and Symptoms of Folliculitis
Folliculitis is commonly attributable to a bacterial infection. Other infectious causes of folliculitis include fungi, viruses, and parasites. Folliculitis will also be attributable to non-infectious causes, for instance, when hair follicles are irritated or damaged comparable to by shaving or rubbing with the suitable clothes. Types of folliculitis include:
- Bacterial folliculitis:Staphylococcus aureus Bacteria are essentially the most common reason for bacterial folliculitis. So-called “hot tub” folliculitis is normally attributable to Pseudomonas aeruginosa Bacteria can even occur in individuals who use hot tubs with contaminated water.
- Fungal folliculitis: Also often called pterosporum folliculitis, this condition is commonly seen during adolescence as a result of overactive oil glands. It appears within the shoulders, back and neck.
- Viral folliculitis: Often attributable to the herpes simplex virus, such a folliculitis is normally painful and occurs in groups or clusters on the skin.
- Eosinophilic folliculitis: Primarily seen in individuals with weakened immune systems, comparable to those with HIV/AIDS. It involves the buildup of a kind of white blood cell (eosinophils) around hair follicles, causing irritation and inflammation.
- Demodex folliculitis: This condition is attributable to tinnitus. Demodex The mites, which live within the hair follicles and oil glands on our skin. When there are too lots of these crusts, they could cause irritation and redness, which can lead to folliculitis. It is commonest in individuals with rosacea.
- Non-infectious folliculitis: Also called pseudofolliculitis, it may possibly be attributable to irritation from shaving or wearing tight clothing.
Symptoms of folliculitis can vary based on the cause, but often share common characteristics. Common symptoms include:
- Clusters of small red spots or whiteheads around hair follicles
- Itchy or irritated skin
- Painful, swollen bumps
- Pus-filled blisters that break and crust over.
Folliculitis is commonly mistaken for keratosis pilaris (KP), a standard skin condition characterised by small, rough patches often found on the arms, thighs, cheeks or buttocks. Unlike folliculitis, KP is attributable to a buildup of keratin that clogs hair follicles. KP may be managed with exfoliation and moisturizing.
Treatment of folliculitis
Treatment of folliculitis depends upon the severity and cause. For mild cases, keeping the affected area clean and avoiding irritation could also be sufficient. Warm compresses may help reduce itching and promote healing. Most folliculitis resolves by itself inside seven to 10 days.
If your folliculitis doesn't recover by itself, see your doctor. In persistent cases, a physician may prescribe medications which are applied to the skin or taken by mouth. For folliculitis attributable to a bacterial infection, a physician may prescribe a topical antibiotic or antibiotic pills. If the cause is fungus, an antifungal cream or shampoo could also be beneficial. Viral folliculitis may be treated with antiviral medications, and Demodex Folliculitis may be treated with antiparasitic drugs.
In severe cases, a minor procedure could also be essential to empty a big abscess. Eosinophilic folliculitis normally requires treatment of the underlying, immunosuppressive condition.
Prevention of folliculitis
Folliculitis can often be prevented by adopting easy habits that make your skin less liable to infection and irritation. Precautions include:
- Practice good hygiene. Keep your skin clean and dry. Cleanse your skin with mild soap and water, especially after sweating from exercise or spending time outdoors.
- Avoid tight clothing. Wear loose, breathable clothing to cut back irritation.
- Shave rigorously. Use a clean, sharp razor and shave within the direction of hair growth. Consider using shaving cream or gel to cut back friction.
- Limit exposure to hot tubs. If you utilize a hot tub, ensure that it’s clean and well maintained.
- Avoid sharing personal items. To reduce the danger of infection, don’t share towels, razors, or clothing.