Definition
Definition
Folliculitis is an inflammation of the hair follicle. It can occur anywhere on your skin or scalp. There are many types of folliculitis.
Causes
Causes
Folliculitis has many causes. It may be infectious or noninfectious.
Infectious folliculitis is caused by:
- Bacteria
- Fungi
- Viruses
- Parasites
Non-infectious folliculitis may be caused by:
- Shaving
- Irritation from clothing
- Certain medications
- Chemical exposure
- Sun exposure
- Missing nutrients in your diet
Contact dermatitis, poison ivy, acne, or rosacea may also cause folliculitis.
Risk Factors
Risk Factors
Factors that may increase your chance of folliculitis include:
- A suppressed immune system
- Exposure to bacterial infection
- Having other skin conditions, especially those that cause a lot of itching
- Shaving against the direction of hair growth
- Use of contaminated hot tubs, poorly maintained swimming pools, or contaminated lakes
- Exposure to oils and chemicals
- Overuse of medications applied to the skin
Symptoms
Symptoms
Folliculitis may cause:
- Itchy, red rash
- Appearance of crusty sores that don’t heal
- Pus-filled blisters around the hair follicle
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
You will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Diagnosis may be made by looking at your skin. Testing will help your doctor determine the type and cause of the folliculitis. Other tests may be done to rule out specific skin or health conditions.
Tests may include:
- Culture—a swab of an open area to look for infections
- Smear—a sample an open area is smeared onto a glass slide to be looked at under a microscope
- Analysis of affected hair
- Biopsy of affected skin
- Blood tests
Treatment
Treatment
In most cases, folliculitis is treated with medication. The type of medication depends on the cause of the folliculitis. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment option for you.
Medications
Infectious folliculitis may be treated with:
- Topical or oral antibiotics for bacterial infections
- Topical or oral antifungal medications for fungal infections
- Oral antiviral medications for viral infections
- Topical or oral antiparasitic medications for parasitic infections
Non-infectious folliculitis may be treated with:
- Topical corticosteroids
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Prevention
Prevention
To help reduce your chance of folliculitis:
- Be aware of, and avoid exposure to chemicals, especially at work.
- Avoid shaving against direction of hair growth.
- Use proper hygiene and handwashing techniques.
- Clean and maintain pools and hot tubs on a regular basis.
RESOURCES:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention http://www.cdc.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Public Health Agency of Canada http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca
References:
http://www.aocd.org/?page=Folliculitis
Accessed September 25, 2014.
Folliculitis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed
Updated July 25, 2014. Accessed September 25, 2014.
Hot tub rash (Pseudomonas dermatitis/folliculitis). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/rwi/illnesses/hot-tub-rash.html
Updated April 15, 2014. Accessed September 25, 2014.
Luelmo-Aguilar J, Satandreu MS. Folliculitis: recognition and management. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2004;5(5):301-310.
Last Updated: 9/25/2014