Folliculitis is an inflammation that happens in the skin follicles . The appearance is very similar to the shape of a pimple, with white tips that can be itchy or painful.
In milder cases, they heal on their own, but in more profound and recurrent cases, it is necessary to pay attention and consult a dermatologist for proper treatment.
Inflammation is more common to appear in places where you have hair, such as the face, groin and head, for example.
Causes of folliculitis
Folliculitis can be caused by several factors, such as: bacteria, fungi, viruses and even an inflammation of ingrown hairs. In each of these scenarios, the treatment may be different and involves taking oral medicine in some cases.
According to the website of the Society of Dermatology , the most common causes are:
- Use of a razor blade, due to friction with the skin;
- Clothing or accessories that retain a lot of heat, such as gloves or boots, for example;
- Pre-existing skin conditions such as dermatitis
- Injuries caused by scratches;
- Plastic dressings that are in direct contact with areas of fur.
Types of folliculitis and symptoms
As we said earlier, folliculitis can be superficial or not, and the truth is that anyone can develop inflammation.
Overall, the symptoms in various scenarios are very similar, with the appearance of red pimples that can come with or without pus and itching, in addition to reddened skin.
The rarer cases can cause several other complications, such as deeper skin inflammation and boils formation.
There are several types of folliculitis, caused by different factors.
Superficial folliculitis
Staphylococcal
The most common type of folliculitis, it appears when the skin follicles become inflamed by contact with bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus.
In these cases, pus may appear on the “pimple”, in addition to redness and a lot of itching, which can happen in any region of the body that has hair.
Pseudomonas (hot tub folliculitis)
The bacteria that give the inflammation its name, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, appear in aquatic environments where the pH is not well balanced, such as in hot water pools, for example.
According to the Society of Dermatology, folliculitis can appear from eight hours to five days after exposure, as reddened lesions on the skin, with blisters of pus.
Pseudo folliculitis of the beard
In addition, folliculitis can also appear in other places, such as in the groin, for example, in cases where a lot of waxing is done.
ptyrosporic
Most common in teenagers and young adults, it is caused by a fungus and can appear on the back, neck, shoulders, arms and face. This fungus causes pimples, itchiness, and red areas on the skin.
deep folliculitis
beard sycosis
Inflammations that happen in the beard region, but start to appear first in the upper lip, then moving to the chin and jaw. They can be recurrent, arising from friction with the razor blade.
Caused by gram-negative bacteria
It usually appears on the skin of people who use antibiotics for long periods to treat acne. As these medications end up altering the normal balance of the skin, the site is more conducive to the appearance of these bacteria.
Furuncles and carbuncles
Considered as more serious cases, the inflammation here is caused by staphylococcal bacteria and usually appears as raised lesions on the skin that become red and painful.
In more severe cases, pus is seen and the lesion gradually increases, until it reaches the point of bursting and secretion. In these cases, the most favorable places to have it is behind the neck, shoulders, back and hollows.
EosinofÃlica
This folliculitis appears in people who have been infected with the HIV virus. In these cases, it is possible to see reddish spots and sores with pus on the skin, especially on the face and arms. The cause of this specific folliculitis is not yet known.
treatments for folliculitis
Treatment will vary depending on the cause and type of folliculitis. Therefore, the ideal is that a dermatologist is always consulted.
In milder cases, it is possible to do home treatments, such as putting warm water compresses on the spot, cleaning using antiseptic soap and applying anti-inflammatory ointment to the lesions.
When folliculitis is already more ingrained, it may be necessary to use oral antibiotics, or other specific medications, such as corticosteroids. In very severe cases, they may have to drain the pus from the inflammation.
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