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Folliculitis |
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Definition
Folliculitis is inflammation of one or more hair
follicles. The condition may occur anywhere on the
skin.
Causes
-
Staphylococcal infections especially in diabetics
-
Shaving
razors' opening follicles
-
Gram-negative folliculitis of acne -- caused by
antibiotics' killing off some of the acne bacteria,
and allowing other bacteria to overgrow
-
Hot tubs
-- Pseudomonas bacteria
-
Irritating oils -- cosmetics and those found at the
work place
-
Tight-fitting clothes which block follicles
-
Corticosteroid medications
Yeast Infection
on skin (called Pityrosporum orbiculare)
Sterile folliculitis
seen in AIDS
Symptoms
-
Burning
and itching of the affected area of skin
-
Redness
may be present
Screening and Diagnosis
A diagnosis is primarily based on how the skin looks.
Lab tests may show which bacteria or fungus is causing
the infection.
Treatment
-
Remove
cause of irritation if known
-
Cleanse
areas gently
-
Chemical
soaks may be prescribed
-
Topical
antibiotics especially Mupirocin (do not use
Neosporin unless specifically recommended by a
physician, as this sometimes makes it worse)
-
Antibiotics by mouth for staph infections
-
Hot tub
folliculitis usually goes away by itself in 1-4 days
-- if necessary, ciprofloxacin may be helpful.
Prevention
-
Remove
chemical irritant causes
-
Proper
control of diabetes
-
Proper
chlorination of hot tubs
-
If
staphylococcal folliculitis is persistent, the
person may be a carrier of staph in the nose, and
may require a longer course of antibiotics to
prevent recurrence.
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