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Jun 23, 2006
Folliculitis
by SirGan
 Folliculitis is the name given to a specific group of skin conditions characterized by inflamed hair follicles. The result is a tender red spot, often with a surface pustule. There are several possible causes of folliculitis because the condition can be due to infection, occlusion, irritation and specific skin diseases. This condition can affect both women and men at any age and it can develop on any part of the body, but is most likely to occur on the scalp, face, or parts of the arms, armpits, or legs not usually covered by clothing.Possible causes of folliculitisIt is proven that this condition develops when bacteria, such as Staphylococcus, or a fungus enters the body through a cut, scrape, surgical incision, or other break in the skin near a hair follicle. What happens then? Well, it is simple- scratching the affected area can trap fungus or bacteria under the fingernails and spread the infection to hair follicles on other parts of the body. It is also very important to know that the bacteria that cause folliculitis are contagious which means that a person who has folliculitis can infect others who live in the same household.
Signs, symptoms and treatment of folliculitisIn generally, the symptoms can vary, depending on the type of infection. There are two types of folliculitis, the superficial form and the deep form! In superficial forms of the disorder, small pimples develop around one or more hair follicles. Deep folliculitis, which affects the entire hair follicle, can cause more severe signs and symptoms.
Symptoms of superficial type:
When we talk about pseudomonas folliculitis we should know that this bacterium can be easily found in a wide range of environments, including wooden hot tubs. Symptoms are characteristic and they appear about 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to the bacteria. Patients are complaining on big number of red, round, itchy bumps that later may develop into small pus-filled blisters.
Treatment: Good thing about this type of folliculitis is that it rarely requires treatment, although sometimes doctor may prescribe an oral or topical medication to help relieve itching.
This is very characteristic type of folliculitis is characterized by itchy, white, pus-filled lumps in the beard area in men. How does it happen? Well, most commonly it occurs when hair follicles that have been irritated by shaving become infected with Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Although this bacterium live on your skin all the time, they cause problems when they enter body through a cut.
Treatment: In most cases doctor should advise not shaving the affected area until the infection heals. This will probably be enough but, if the problem persists, patient may need topical or oral antibiotics.
Unlike the previous types- tinea barbae is caused by a fungus and it also develops in the beard area in men. It is characterized by itchy, white bumps. The surrounding skin also may become reddened.
Treatment: Good thing about this infection is that it is being usually effectively treated with oral antifungal medications.
This is also an inflammation of the hair follicles in the beard area. It is called pseudofolliculitis because it develops when shaved hairs curve back into the skin, leading to inflammation and dark raised scars.
Treatment: Experts are saying that the best treatment for this condition is preventive which include simple shaving with an electric razor. When using the razor it is best to use also a shaving gel instead of cream, and shave in the direction of the hair growth.
This condition is very common, especially in young and middle-aged adults. This type of folliculitis produces chronic, red, itchy pustules on the back and chest and sometimes on the neck, shoulders, upper arms and face. It's caused by infection with a fungus called Malassezia furfur.
Treatment: Topical or oral antifungal medications are the most effective treatments for this type of folliculitis. It is proven that antibiotics aren't helpful in treating pityrosporum folliculitis and may make the infection only worse.
Sometimes the virus called Herpes Simplex can enter the skin through the small lesions made by shaving. Then it can spread on surrounding follicles!
Treatment: in this case- doctor may prescribe an oral antiviral medication such as acyclovir, famciclovir or valacyclovir. These drugs can clear the infection, but they also may cause side effects such as headache, diarrhea, nausea and abdominal pain.
Symptoms of deep folliculitis include:
This most commonly occur in people which use antibiotics for acne for a long time. How come that the antibiotics can do such a thing? Well, it is proven that antibiotics alter the normal balance of bacteria in the nose, leading to an overgrowth of harmful organisms - gram-negative bacteria.
Treatment: Good thing about this type of folliculitis is that it's usually treated with certain antibiotics or with Isotretinoin (Accutane).
Boils occur when hair follicles become deeply infected with staphylococcus bacteria and they look like a painful pink or red bump about centimeter in diameter. The surrounding skin also may be red and swollen. What exactly is carbuncle? Well, it is a cluster of boils that often occurs on the back of the neck, shoulders or thighs, especially in older men and represent a deeper and more severe infection than a single boil.
Treatment: Doctor should drain every large boil or carbuncle by making a small incision in the tip. This commonly relieves pain, speeds recovery and helps lessen scarring. Sometimes antibiotics are recommended to help heal severe or recurrent infections.
This type of folliculitis is characterized by recurring patches of inflamed, pus-filled sores, primarily on the face and sometimes on the back or upper arms. The exact cause of eosinophilic folliculitis isn't known, but it is most commonly seen in HIV positive people!
Treatment: Topical corticosteroids are often the treatment of choice. Patients should know that all steroids can have serious side effects and should be used for as brief a time as possible
Risk factors for developing folliculitisThere are some things and conditions which can make a person more prone for developing folliculitis! Some of those are:
Diagnosis of folliculitis
To diagnose folliculitis, doctor will examine patient’s skin and ask questions about health and activities.
Doctor may do tests to find out what is causing folliculitis and to make sure that what a patient has is not a different problem, such as impetigo or heat rash. Examining a sample of the fluid in the pimples can help doctor to determine whether bacteria are causing the infection.
If a fungus is suspected, doctor will take a tissue sample, or biopsy, of the infected area.
Possible complications if left untreatedGood thing is that, most commonly -mild cases of folliculitis aren’t causing any complications, although the infection may recur or spread, leading to large, itchy patches.
Complications of more serious infections may include:
This is one very serious bacterial infection appears. It is characterized by swollen, red area of skin that feels hot and tender. Problem is also that it may spread rapidly on legs, arms or face.
This is also one serious condition which occurs when a number of boils develop under skin. They are very painful!
Big problem is that these serious types of folliculitis may leave thick, raised scars or patches of skin that are darker than normal. Destruction of the hair follicle can also lead to permanent hair loss.
Alternative treatmentSeveral researches done in the past have came to the conclusion that eating a balanced diet, including protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, fresh fruits and vegetables, and drinking eight to 10 glasses of water a day may stimulate the body's immune system and shorten the course of the infection.
Garlic (Allium sativum) and goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), both antiseptic agents against staphylococcal infections, may be taken. Echinacea (Echinacea spp.) is helpful in modulating immune function. Warm compresses made with white vinegar or Burow’s solution may help relieve itching and aid healing.
Daily doses of zinc and Vitamin C, and bioflavinoids can also strengthen the body's infection-fighting ability. In some cases, laser hair removal may be an only option. Laser treatment destroys the hair follicles so they can't become infected.
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