Folliculitis isnt contagious, but it can spread from one part of the skin to another area on your body. The 14 Best Medicated Shampoos for Scalp Acne of 2023, This Is Why You're Getting Breakouts in Your Armpit, How to Treat and Prevent Hairline Acne, According to Dermatologists, Experiencing Cheek Acne? Accessed June 16, 2022. Hydrogen peroxide can help get rid of some bacteria and fungi that cause folliculitis. An acne-looking rash erupts on the surface of the skin. However, severe or recurrent cases may need medication or other therapies. They can treat either bacterial or fungal infections, depending on the conditions cause. The condition can affect one or many follicles and may last a short time or persist long term. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Superficial folliculitis affects the upper part of the hair follicle and the skin around the follicle. Accessed June 16, 2022. Facial bacterial infections: Folliculitis. It may appear similar to an acne outbreak, but it is important to differentiate them. privacy practices. If you have folliculitis in an area where you wax, like your legs or bikini area, you may need to stop waxing until the condition clears up. They contain hydrocortisone, a kind of steroid medication that helps bring down itching, swelling, and redness. The green tea extract calms and soothes skin to reduce redness and inflammation caused by blemishes. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on Its only when there is an overgrowth that pityrosporum folliculitis forms. Mild cases may be treated by a topical antibiotic, while more serious cases may require an oral antibiotic, too. Dilute the essential oil by adding a few drops to a carrier oil or a moisturizing cream. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Hot Tub-Associated Pseudomonas Folliculitis: A Case Report and Review of Host Risk Factors. They can cause blockages and trap bacteria. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Folliculitis can sometimes be serious. The resulting rash of raised bumps can be itchy and painful, but it is treatable with topical medications. Different kinds of folliculitis have other names you might have heard, such as: Your symptoms will vary based on the exact type of folliculitis you have and how bad it is. You also should not wear clothes that irritate your skin or trap heat and sweat, such as Lycra, rubber gloves, and high boots. Make an appointment with your health care provider if your condition is widespread or the symptoms don't go away after a week or two of self-care measures. Improper shaving techniques, tight clothing, skin rubbing, and some medications can all cause follicle damage. If these self-care treatments dont work, your doctor may give you: To lower your chances of getting folliculitis, your best bet is to stop shaving for at least 3 months, but for a lot of people that wont do. Apply the steroid cream or lotion thinly over the skin area. In most cases, folliculitis will disappear independently. information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with A purpuric rash is made up of small, discolored spots under your skin from leaking blood vessels. 2004;73(6 Suppl):18-24. Folliculitis is an infection or irritation in the hair follicles. The condition can be itchy, sore and embarrassing. Folliculitis is inflammation of one or more hair follicles. It can occur anywhere on the skin. Folliculitis starts when hair follicles are damaged or when the follicle is blocked. For example, this may occur from rubbing against clothing or shaving. Most of the time, the damaged follicles become infected with staphylococci (staph) bacteria. However, if symptoms do not resolve independently after a few days, it may be beneficial for a person to contact a medical professional. Triggers include: Bacterial folliculitis is the most common form of this condition. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/dermatologic-disorders/bacterial-skin-infections/folliculitis. Shaving can irritate the skin and make folliculitis worse. These other things can also cause folliculitis: In general, youre more likely to get the condition if you have damaged follicles. Moderate to severe furuncles and carbuncles are often treated by draining. Check out these 12 natural eczema remedies to soothe your symptoms. Click here for an email preview. By practicing good hygiene, avoiding tight clothing. Dermatologists recommend this at-home therapy for people who have eczema and other skin rashes. Avoid tight-fitting clothing, especially rough fabrics such as denim. When you do shave, use clean, sharp blades each time. It turns out there are plenty of cost-efficient ways to tackle folliculitis without digging deep into your wallet. In rare cases, a doctor may order a skin biopsy to exclude the possibility of other causes. Its a common skin disorder caused by the inflammation of hair folliclesor, you can think of it as acne that is on a skin site other than the face, says dermatologist Dr. Alicia Zalka. Pityrosporum folliculitis often affects adolescents. Claire is a contributing writer for Byrdie where she covers skincare and product reviews. Pro tip: Try using Zeasorb-AF powder before your workouts too to soak up sweat and moisture and prevent yeast overgrowth. Malassezia-Associated Skin Diseases, the Use of Diagnostics and Treatment. Pseudofolliculitis cutis: A vexing disorder of hair growth. Malassezia (mah-luh-SEE-zee-uh) or Pityrosporum folliculitis (pity-RAH-spur-uhm fuh-lihk-you-LIE-tiss) is a fungal infection that causes bumps to form on your skin. J Cutan Aesthet Surg. Over-the-counter antibiotic creams, gels, and ointments may help clear up a small patch of folliculitis. Demodex folliculorum is a type of mite. 2023 Copyright Derm Collective. Also, avoid wearing outfits that allow your thighs to rub against each other. Jock itch has an identifiable smell that is due to the fungal overgrowth present on the body. Use a new blade each time you shave so you know its clean and sharp; single blades are ideal. Most cases of folliculitis are mild. You will need medical treatment for more severe folliculitis. The condition can be treated at home by: Applying warm, moist Topical treatments that may be helpful include silver sulfadiazine cream twice a day or white vinegar applied to the rash for 20 minutes 2 to 4 times per day. Your healthcare provider will check your skin during a physical examination. You can also find her work on Today. Many people develop mild bumps and inflammation afterward. You may also be at higher risk if you: Pityrosporum folliculitis is a common type of dermatitis, a skin condition. Acne-like breakouts could be folliculitis. It may look like acne or a rash and can be isolated to one hair follicle or affect many. Essential oils are powerful, so using them directly or too much can irritate your skin. In: Dermatology for the Primary Care Provider. The condition causes itchy pimples to form on your face, scalp and upper body. Symptoms of folliculitis are mild pain, pruritus, or irritation. Other things you can do: Indiana University Bloomington Health Center: Folliculitis., The International Foundation for Dermatology: Management of Bacterial Infections of the Hair Follicles., Primary Care Dermatology Society: Folliculitis and boils (furuncles/carbuncles)., American Osteopathic College of Dermatology: Folliculitis.. Folliculitis affects the hair-bearing areas of the body, often the arms, head, and face. Dilute the hydrogen peroxide with clean, sterile water or use it directly. It can be spread through shared razors and hot tubs or, less likely, through skin-to-skin contact between people. For more severe cases of folliculitis, prescription medications may be necessary. Over-the-counter anti-itching lotions and creams can help soothe folliculitis symptoms. Read our, Try Body Spray Treatments for Convenient Application, See a Dermatologist About Professional Treatments, The Foolproof Guide to Making Bacne Disappear. Although topical antifungals are an option, the To use, just spray onto affected areas and let the product dry before you put on your clothes. On darker skin tones, it may appear darker than the surrounding skin and may contain red, or purple hues. Comparative study of 35% glycolic acid, 20% salicylic10% mandelic acid, and phytic acid combination peels in the treatment of active acne and postacne pigmentation. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Mayo Clinic on High Blood Pressure - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press, Financial Assistance Documents Minnesota, Assortment of Skin Care Products from Mayo Clinic Store, Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition, Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter Digital Edition, Clusters of small bumps or pimples around hair follicles, Pus-filled blisters that break open and crust over, Regularly wearing clothing that traps heat and sweat, such as rubber gloves or high boots, Soaking in a hot tub, whirlpool or public pool that's not maintained well, Causing damage to hair follicles through shaving, waxing, wearing tight clothes or hair styling practices such as traction, wigs and oils, Using some medications, such as corticosteroid creams, prednisone, long-term antibiotic therapy for acne and certain chemotherapy drugs, Having dermatitis or excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), Patches of skin that are darker (hyperpigmentation) or lighter (hypopigmentation) than before the condition occurred, usually temporary, Destruction of hair follicles and permanent hair loss, Washing your skin with warm water and a mild facial cleanser (Cetaphil, CeraVe, others) before shaving, Using a washcloth or cleansing pad in a gentle circular motion to raise embedded hairs before shaving, Applying a good amount of shaving lotion before shaving, Avoiding shaving too close by using an electric razor or guarded blade and by not stretching the skin, Using a clean, sharp blade and rinsing it with warm water after each stroke, Avoiding shaving the same area more than twice, Applying moisturizing lotion after you shave, Avoiding the sharing of razors, towels and washcloths. This is because the treatment involves damaging the hair follicle, which can cause inflammation and infection in some cases. When too much of this yeast grows on your skin and gets into your hair follicles, it causes a fungal infection. Its hard to know just how common because it doesnt always require treatment and can be misdiagnosed as acne. Because most folliculitis is caused by S. aureus, clindamycin 1% lotion or gel may be applied topically 2 times a day for 7 to 10 days. This raises the risk of infection. They may start with an antifungal cream (topical treatment) to reduce the amount of yeast on your skin. Other symptoms include itching and burning. Several treatments are usually necessary to see results. Leave the wrap on for 10-15 minutes at a time, several times a day. The primary skin finding in folliculitis is a pustule and perifollicular inflammation. Wash the area and your hands with warm soapy water. Folliculitis can be triggered by a number of factors, including: Most cases of folliculitis will go away on their own within a few days to a week. Folliculitis is typically caused by a bacterial or fungal infection of the hair follicles. For most cases of folliculitis, the best treatment is time. So while acne presents as a facial breakout of pimples, folliculitis is a breakout that happens elsewhere on your body due to an inflamed hair follicle. [Updated 2022 Aug 8]. Some of the bumps may be pustules raised areas that contain pus and may resemble pimples. Aug. 10, 2022. Growth of stiff hairs into the skin may cause chronic low-grade irritation or inflammation that may mimic infectious folliculitis (pseudofolliculitis barbae Pseudofolliculitis Barbae Pseudofolliculitis barbae is irritation of the skin due to hairs that penetrate the skin before leaving the hair follicle or that leave the follicle and curve back into the skin, causing a foreign-body read more ). Try other kinds of hair removal methods like depilatory creams instead. If the problem youre seeing persists, consider giving that area a break from shaving and/or waxing for a bit. Try to avoid tight clothing for a while, which can cause friction or rubbing that further inflames your breakouts. They can also help prevent folliculitis from happening or getting worse. using an unclean hot tub or swimming pool, weakened immune system from conditions, such as, harsh chemicals or irritating personal care products. Remove the bandages and use fresh cloth or gauze if you want to reapply the wet wrap. Try laser hair removal as a long-term option. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. Healthcare providers treat this fungal infection with topical and systemic antifungal medications. Some bacteria help get rid of germs that cause infections like folliculitis. (n.d.). It rarely causes more severe problems. (2017). Some at-home treatments for folliculitis include: If you have folliculitis on your scalp, you can try washing your hair and scalp with a mild soap, like baby shampoo. Pityrosporum folliculitis is also called Malassezia folliculitis. You can use antibiotic ointment or anti-itching lotion first. Learn more about the Merck Manuals and our commitment to Global Medical Knowledge. Additionally, its crucial to choose a reputable and experienced provider to ensure that the treatment is performed safely and effectively. Common terms for this condition include razor bumps, shaving bumps, or ingrown hairs . Soak a cotton or gauze strip in the water. Lifestyle changes can help strengthen nails and get them where wed like them to be. Dr. Shirazirecommends her own GlySal Body Spray, formulated with 10 percent glycolic acid and 2 percent salicylic acid. These can include antibiotics, antifungal medications, and corticosteroids. Boils can occur outside of the vagina on the labia, vulva or pubic area. Avoid waxing the area where you have folliculitis. You can get this condition anywhere you have hair, but its most likely to show up on your neck, thighs, buttocks, or armpits. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. For folliculitis caused by a bacterial infection, the doctor may suggest or prescribe: Topical antibiotics. Antibiotics and other medications may not clear up chronic cases. Copyright 2023 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. These include antifungal drugs such as Oxid Med Cell Longev. Anyone at any age can develop folliculitis, but common risk factors include: Folliculitis can form as a result of several types of fungal or bacterial infections. Other types include: Staph, a kind of bacteria, is most often to blame. The two main types of folliculitis are superficial and deep. But in most cases, it takes several treatments to see results. But if it gets inside your body, say through a cut, then it can cause problems. Microorganisms (flora) that normally live on your skin include a yeast called Malassezia. Folliculitis is a skin disorder involving the inflammation of hair follicles. There are a number of factors that can cause folliculitis. Dermarolling, aka microneedling, is the art of erasing unwanted acne scars, wrinkles, and stretch marks.

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