Folliculitis (Infected Hair Follicle): Prevention, Care and Home Remedies

1. It is a skin condition.
Folliculitis is very common and can affect the skin anywhere the hair grows. It is most likely to occur on the thighs, buttocks, neck, armpit or even scalp. Basically, places where friction is common.
Hair follicles are tiny pockets from which the hair grows. Folliculitis is the inflammation or infection of one or more hair follicles appearing like a small tiny bump. They could also turn into crusty non-healing sores.

2. Anyone can develop Folliculitis.
The risk factors are quite common and can affect anyone of any age!
Some of them include damage to hair follicles during shaving, waxing or wearing tight clothes that trap sweat and heat. It can also be caused by skin conditions like eczema or acne, use of steroid for a long time or even low immunity caused by conditions like HIV.

3. Folliculitis manifests as small crusty bumps to form on your skin.
These bumps can be red, white, or yellow in colour. It can also be accompanied with Soreness, itching, swelling or even pus.

4. Visit a doctor immediately if it spreads or doesnt go in a few days.
The doctor will examine the skin lesions and may even advise a culture and sensitivity test of the infected region.

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5. Folliculitis can be prevented with a little care.
While shaving, one should shave in the direction of the growth and not against it. One should also wash the face with warm water and antibacterial soap before shaving using a good amount of shaving lotion before and after.
Men with razor burns should let the beard grow as one of the prevention measures. They should also try and use a sharp blade every time they shave.
Avoiding to wear fitting clothes could also help avoid folliculitis.

6. Home remedies can help relieve mild folliculitis.
Here are some of the home remedies you can try for relief:

• Apply moist warm compresses over the lesion
• Gently wash the infected skin twice a day with antibacterial soap.
• Use a clean washcloth and towel each time and don't share your towels or washcloths.
• Do not shave the area around the folliculitis. Most cases of razor bump go on its own once you stop shaving
• Try relieving itchy skin with a soothing Lacto calamine lotion

7. If it is a case that requires medications, your doctor might suggest the following treatments:

• Antibiotic creams or lotions should be applied over the infected hair follicle
• If a fungal infection is suspected, an anti-fungal cream will be advised
• For severe itching, your doctor may sometimes advise a steroid cream
• If the lesion is non-healing or an abscess has formed, your doctor would do a minor procedure known as incision and drainage. Appropriate antibiotics would be advised after the procedure
• If other treatments fail, long-term hair removal with laser therapy may clear up the infection. It permanently removes hair follicles, thereby reducing the density of the hair in the treated area.

8. Folliculitis should be treated or can cause complications.
The effects of Folliculitis could be right from permanent hair loss in a patch to scarring and discolouration of the skin. It can also cause the formation of an abscess and even frequently occur.

Article by Dr. Kranthi Kumar Varma, M.D (Dermatology)
Consultant Dermatologist, CallHealth

Have a question? Consult Dr. Kranthi online.