Symptoms

• The symptoms of folliculitis may be pain, redness of the skin (erythema) and swelling (edema). The inflamed or infected hair follicles may look like tiny white-topped pustules or large, yellow pus-filled lesions.
  
  

Types

• According to the Mayo Clinic, there are several types of superficial folliculitis:
  •Staphylococcal folliculitis involves itchy, white, pus-filled bumps that can occur anywhere on the body. Even though everyone has staph bacterium that lives on the skin, problems occur when the bacteria enters through a cut or other wound.
  •Pseudomonas folliculitis (hot tub folliculitis) is bacteria (pseudomonas) that thrive in environments where the chlorine and pH levels are not regulated. A red rash with round, itchy bumps will appear which later develop into pustules.
  •Tinea barbae is a folliculitis that develops in the facial area of men (the beard location), but is caused by fungus instead of bacteria. The skin becomes reddened with itchy, white bumps. Fever and swollen lymph nodes can appear.
  •Pseudofolliculitis barbae is also a folliculits in the beard area. This disorder happens when shaved hairs curve back into the skin leading to inflammation and sometimes dark raised scars called keloids.
  •Pityrosporum folliculitis is common amongst young and middle-aged adults caused by a yeast-like fungus. This disorder produces red, itchy pustules on the back, chest and sometimes on the neck, shoulders and face.
  •Herpetic folliculitis is when a cold sore is either shaved through or broken causing the herpes simplex virus to spread infection into the neighboring hair follicles.
  
  

Diagnosis

• A doctor will inspect the area to view the pustules. Cultures of the wound may be taken so laboratories can determine the correct bacteria or fungus. A complete blood count (CBC) may be taken to determine if there is an elevated white cell count which usually means there is an infection.
  
  

Treatment

• Folliculitis treatment depends on what type of infection you have. Some will go away on their own with self-care measures, such as warm compresses and an anti-itch cream. Other forms of this disorder will need prescription antibiotics or antifungal medications. Doctors may prescribe an antiseptic product, medicated shampoo, antibiotic local cream or pills.
  
  

Prevention

• Ways to prevent further episodes of folliculitis:
  •Reduce friction from clothing.
  •Avoid shaving the area and make sure you use a new, clean razor each time.
  •Keep the area clean with soap and water. Some doctors recommend antibacterial soaps.
  •Replace towels and washcloths often to prevent recontamination.
  •If folliculitis keeps recurring, it may be that the bacterium Staphylococcus has colonized in the nose. A doctor may want to culture the nasal secretions.