| Folliculitis : Cause And Treatment
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Folliculitis : Cause And Treatment
Folliculitis is bacterial infection in the hair follicles on the skin. It is one of the most common skin infections. It can occur to any one belonging to any age group. Staphylococcus bacteria or fungus surrounds hair follicle by entering into the skin. It forms an inflammatory nodule. It may affect deeply or superficially. Mostly it is harmless but some times it can create serious problems too. Folliculitis may relapse and can be troublesome. You can remove infected hair easily without any problem. A severe form of folliculitis is called furuncle, which is the infection of sebaceous glands. Then carbuncle is the more extensive furuncle.
Causes of Folliculitis:
1 It can occur if you use a hot tub which is not properly chlorinated
2 Because of in-grown hair
3 Diabetes
4 If you wear tight cloths
5 Hot and humid weather
6 Eczema or dermatitis like chronic skin conditions
7 Infection in nasal tract due to Staphylococcal bacteria
8 Folliculitis gets transmitted from one person to another
9 Poor personal hygiene
10 Weak immune system which catches infections very quickly
11 Exposure to chemicals or occlusive cosmetics
Symptoms of Folliculitis
Folliculitis is a small lump at the base of the hair. It is like small pus filled pimple. When pus seeps, it gets mixed with blood. You can see redness; feel inflammation and pain. Generally you will feel itch and little soreness also. It may be small white-headed pustules or large yellow pus filled lesions. If problem persists, nodules may become hard and on rupturing of nodule, pus spreads over the skin. It can appear at arms, legs, armpits and scalp. Men can get it on face because of shaving. In severe case when infection increases, patients can suffer from fever and malaise.
How to diagnose Folliculitis
You can find folliculitis, simply by inspecting. Physician may prescribe wound culture to be done to recognize bacteria.
Treating Folliculitis:
If folliculitis is superficial, there is no need of antibiotic ointments. If the person is suffering with severe folliculiitis, you will need application of topical antibiotics. For more extensive infection, oral antibiotics are prescribed by the physician. Incision of boils and draining of pus is required in case of furuncles and carbuncles.
If infection is superficial, you need to clean infected area, properly with water and mild soap or disinfectant solution. You can use antibacterial soap for bathing if you have recurrent cases of folliculitis. You can apply hot compress over the infected are to dilate the blood vessels and it will help in draining of pus from lesions.
Chronic folliculitis can occur at any area involving shaving, hair plucking, waxing or friction. You need to stop these activities for at least three months to let the hair grow properly. Hair removal laser treatments may help in clearing recurrent and resistant infection. But this many sessions and is quite expensive.
Important Tips for Self Care to Prevent folliculitis:
To prevent folliculitis to occur, keep your skin dry and clean and free from any irritation. Folliculitis is contagious so do not share your towel, washcloth, razor, and comb with any one. If you have folliculitis lesions on an area where you need to shave, discontinue shaving till the infection clears up. When you shave, take care that you use disinfected razor every time to avoid risk of infection again.
If you get this infection repeatedly, avoid using hot tubs, as they are common breeding places of the bacteria. If you have sensitive skin, avoid scrubbing or rubbing. Avoid wearing tight cloths like tight fitting jeans and also lycra workout cloths.
You should contact a Doctor for Folliculitis:
1 If pustules increase even on given treatment or reappear after treatment is complete
2 If patient has high fever; more than 100 deg F
3 An increase of infection is indicated by swelling, pain, redness or heat.
4 If patient has swollen ankles and any other new symptom appears.
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