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If you continue having infected ingrown hairs in the same area, such as your face, you might consider other methods of hair removal, such as laser treatment. If ingrown hair infections recur or are severe, you may have an underlying condition that needs medical treatment. An infected ingrown hair — also known as folliculitis — typically looks like a bump, a hard lump, or a cyst under the skin. But treatments can reduce inflammation and prevent scarring and further hair loss.
How is folliculitis treated?
However, it can be physically uncomfortable and, like other skin conditions, might impact self-esteem and overall quality of life. Diagnosis might require a biopsy to determine the cause of the infection. For example, your healthcare provider might do a biopsy, which is removing a small portion of skin using a scalpel or punch tool. Other factors that can contribute to the development of folliculitis include excessive sweating, use of tight clothing, and use of occlusive fabrics such as spandex.
Prevention
The resulting rash of raised bumps can be itchy and painful, but it is treatable with topical medications. There are several types of folliculitis, the difference is determined by the cause of the infection or inflammation. Though it’s typically not a serious medical issue, it can be bothersome and cause discomfort and self-consciousness. In this article, we’ll examine the causes, symptoms, and treatments of folliculitis.
Cysts vs. Groin Lymph and Other Causes
However, each person may experience symptoms differently. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. You may need a prescription antifungal cream or oral antibiotic, especially if you have a weakened immune system or have recurring folliculitis. The treatment for folliculitis varies depending on the type and severity of the condition. Folliculitis is generally the result of an infection in a damaged hair follicle. This article details the causes, symptoms, and complications of folliculitis.
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It is important to be aware of the chemicals in the products you use on your skin and to avoid those that can cause irritation. If you experience symptoms of folliculitis after using a new product, discontinue use and consult a dermatologist. You can get folliculitis “down there” because of waxing, shaving, or plucking. Wearing clothing that rubs against your skin can also lead to painful pimples in your underwear area.
Keeping the skin clean helps to prevent these conditions from happening and is essential for healing. Scrub your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 to 30 seconds after touching a boil. Change the dressings often and place the dressings in a bag that can be tightly closed and thrown out. While folliculitis is often treatable at home, some cases may require a trip to the doctor. Make an appointment if you aren’t noticing any improvement after a few days of home treatment, or if things seem to be getting worse. However, if symptoms do not resolve independently after a few days, it may be beneficial for a person to contact a medical professional.
Localised folliculitis
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Folliculitis can make these hair follicles red and swollen. You can develop folliculitis from bacterial or fungal infections. Folliculitis initially causes small, red bumps that look similar to an acne breakout. Over time, it may spread to other follicles and the bumps may get larger and more inflamed.
Is folliculitis contagious?
To help reduce the risk of folliculitis, a person should treat their underlying conditions. Bacterial infections are the most common cause of folliculitis. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is the bacterium most often responsible for bacterial folliculitis.
Scalp Folliculitis: Treatment for Inflamed Bumps
Wash your scalp regularly to avoid a buildup of hair products and oils that can clog or irritate your hair follicles. The condition isn’t contagious, and you can usually treat it at home. But in some cases, the infection can spread to other follicles and cause scarring or permanent hair loss. The most common cause of folliculitis is a bacterial infection of the deep hair follicle. A healthcare professional will be able to confirm a folliculitis diagnosis and advise on suitable treatment courses. Persistent folliculitis may signify an immunodeficiency disorder or other underlying condition.
Chronic folliculitis is often due to persistent bacterial colonization of the skin of some part of the body, such as the nose. This requires both systemic and topical antibiotics for a period sufficient to eradicate the organism causing the folliculitis. In addition, antiseptic body washes and sanitization of all bedclothes and clothes will help. Scalp folliculitis causes small, very itchy pustules to form on the scalp, often most troublesome on the frontal hairline.
Over time, these bumps grow larger and become more inflamed. Without treatment, scalp folliculitis can spread to hair follicles in the center or back of the head. If the underlying cause of scalp folliculitis is pityrosporum, then an oral antifungal is the best treatment.
However, the topical cream does not penetrate deep into the hair follicles and may not completely clear the infection. Ingrown hair folliculitis occurs when hair grows inward, causing inflammation and infection of the hair follicle. This is common in people with curly hair, as the natural curling of the hair can sometimes cause it to grow back into the skin. Folliculitis is a condition that results from the inflammation of hair follicles. It can occur on any part of the body where there are hair follicles, but it’s most common on the scalp, face, neck, chest, back, armpits, and groin. Folliculitis can also be classified as superficial or deep, depending on how deep the infection is located within the hair follicle.
Folliculitis can happen as a result of daily activities like shaving, getting in a hot tub, and excess sweating from exercise or outdoor work. You need to be careful about treating folliculitis in the vaginal region to prevent transferring the infection and scarring. You can treat mild cases involving just a few infected hair follicles by using a warm compress to loosen the infection and allowing the skin to heal.
Folliculitis that’s due to an infection sometimes clears up, then returns. Folliculitis that’s caused by staph can start to grow inside your body. While this is uncommon, it can be deadly if not treated right away. Superficial folliculitis is when only part of the hair follicle is damaged, while deep folliculitis is when the whole follicle is damaged. Folliculitis is a skin problem that happens when you get bacteria or a blockage in a tiny pocket in your skin called a hair follicle. You have hair follicles just about everywhere except your lips, your palms, and the soles of your feet.
We also cover what people can do to treat or prevent the condition. By Sarah Jividen, RNJividen is a freelance healthcare journalist. She has over a decade of direct patient care experience working as a registered nurse specializing in neurotrauma, stroke, and the emergency room. Losing your hair can be a distressing experience, but you’re not alone.
