Folliculitis (patient information)

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Overview
Folliculitis is inflammation of one or more hair follicles. It can occur anywhere on the skin.

What are the symptoms of Folliculitis?
Common symptoms include a rash, itching, and pimples or pustules near a hair follicle in the neck, groin, or genital area. The pimples may crust over.

What causes Folliculitis?
Folliculitis starts when hair follicles are damaged by friction from clothing, blockage of the follicle, or shaving. In most cases of folliculitis, the damaged follicles are then infected with the bacteria Staphylococcus (staph).

Barber's itch is a staph infection of the hair follicles in the beard area of the face, usually the upper lip. Shaving makes it worse. Tinea barbae is similar to barber's itch, but the infection is caused by a fungus.

Who is at highest risk?
Pseudofolliculitis barbae is a disorder that occurs mainly in black men. If curly beard hairs are cut too short, they may curve back into the skin and cause inflammation.

Diagnosis
A diagnosis is primarily based on how the skin looks. Lab tests may show which bacteria or fungus is causing the infection.

When to seek urgent medical care?
Apply home treatment and call your health care provider if symptoms come back frequently, if they last longer than 2 or 3 days, or if the infection spreads.

Treatment options
Hot, moist compresses may promote drainage of the affected follicles. Treatment may include antibiotics applied to the skin (mupirocin) or taken by mouth (dicloxacillin), or antifungal medications to control the infection.

Where to find medical care for Folliculitis?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Folliculitis

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Folliculitis usually responds well to treatment, but may come back.

Possible complications

 * Folliculitis may return
 * Infection may spread to other body areas

Prevention of Folliculitis
To prevent further damage to the hair follicles and infection:


 * Reduce 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
 * Avoid contaminated clothing and washcloths