Folliculitis

Exposure to bacterial infection
Overusing certain medicines, such as:
- Antibiotics
- Corticosteroids applied to the skin
Having other skin conditions—especially those that itch
Exposure to oils and chemicals
Having a weak immune system
Shaving against the direction of hair growth
Using contaminated hot tubs, pools, or lakes

Symptoms

Symptoms of folliculitis may be:

Itchy, red rash
Crusty sores that do not heal
Pus-filled blisters around the hair follicle

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam may be done. Diagnosis can usually be made by looking at the skin. Testing may be done to determine the type and cause.

Tests may include:

Swab of an open area—to look for infections
Smear—a sample of an open area to be examined under a microscope
Biopsy—a sample of skin is taken for testing
Blood tests

Treatment

The goal is to treat the irritation and underlying cause. Options may be:

Medications

Folliculitis may be treated with medicines. They may be taken by mouth or applied to the skin.

The infectious type may be treated with:
- Antibiotics—for bacterial infections
- Antifungal medicines—for fungal infections
- Antiviral medicines—for viral infections
- Antiparasitic medicines— for parasitic infections
The non-infectious type may be treated with:
- Corticosteroids
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Prevention

To reduce the risk of folliculitis:

Avoid chemicals, especially at work.
Shave in the direction of hair growth.
Use proper hygiene and handwashing.
Clean pools and hot tubs regularly.

RESOURCES:

American Academy of Dermatology
https://www.aad.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
https://www.cdc.gov

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Dermatology Association
https://dermatology.ca

Public Health Agency of Canada
https://www.canada.ca

References:

Folliculitis. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed February 17, 2021.

Folliculitis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/folliculitis Accessed February 17, 2021.

Hot tub rash (Pseudomonas dermatitis/folliculitis). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/swimmers/rwi/rashes.html. Accessed February 17, 2021.

Veraldi S, Desimine C, et al. Can folliculitis be caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis? G Ital Dermatol Venereol. 2019;154(2):212-214.

Last reviewed January 2021 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Mary Beth Seymour, RN
Last Updated: 2/17/2021

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