Folliculitis may be due to drugs, particularly corticosteroids (steroid acne), androgens (male hormones), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), lithium, isoniazid (INH), phenytoin and B-complex vitamins.
Acne is the buildup of dirt, bacteria, and an overproduction of oil that causes pimples. Additional factors that can contribute to body acne include your lifestyle, diet, and hormone fluctuations which cause your body to produce more oil.
Folliculitis is often caused when hair follicles are infected with bacteria, commonly Staphylococcus aureus (staph). It may also be caused by viruses, fungi, parasites, medications or physical injury. Sometimes the cause isn't known.
People may sometimes mistake psoriasis and folliculitis for other skin conditions, including: fungal skin infections. eczema or dermatitis. pityriasis rosea.
What aggravates folliculitis? In order not to aggravate folliculitis, avoid scratching or picking at the bumps, shaving the area, covering the area in makeup, or wearing tight clothing over the affected area (or going back into a swimming pool or hot tub if you have hot tub folliculitis, as mentioned above).
Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin condition that causes inflammation throughout the body. That chronic inflammation leads to raised plaques and scales on the skin. These can appear anywhere on the body but mainly on the scalp, knees, elbows, and lower back.
Severe vitamin A and C deficiency may cause folliculitis. [1] In vitamin A deficiency the skin shows follicular hyperkeratosis, dryness and generalised wrinkling. [11] It requires about 2 months of vitamin C deprivation to produce mucocutaneous signs, including perifollicular petechiae and follicular hyperkeratosis.
In less severe types of folliculitis, like Pseudomonas folliculitis (hot tub rash), your symptoms will typically fade within a few days without treatment. If they don't, reach out to your healthcare provider. When you have a more severe case of folliculitis, oral antibiotics may be needed to treat the condition.
Diagnosis of folliculitis
They may take a swab of the infected skin to test for which bacteria or fungus is the cause of the folliculitis. In rare cases, a doctor may order a skin biopsy to exclude the possibility of other causes.
In many cases of bacterial folliculitis, an over-the-counter (OTC) antibacterial wash, such as chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) or benzoyl peroxide, can provide relief. Avoid using Hibiclens above the neck.
Gently wash the infected skin at least twice a day with an antibacterial soap or cleanser, such as benzoyl peroxide. Use a clean washcloth and towel each time and don't share your towels or washcloths. Use hot, soapy water to wash these items.
Folliculitis can be a mild, short-lived condition or a severe long-term problem that can literally take over your life.
There isn't a cure for folliculitis decalvans. But treatments can reduce inflammation and prevent scarring and further hair loss. The condition sometimes goes into remission (no symptoms) but can return and cause a flare (active symptoms). Treatment is often an ongoing process.
The hair cycle and hair follicle structure are highly affected by various hormones. Androgens-such as testosterone (T); dihydrotestosterone (DHT); and their prohormones, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and androstendione (A)-are the key factors in terminal hair growth.
Viral folliculitis
Herpes simplex virus, the virus that causes cold sores, can cause folliculitis.
Folliculitis can appear at first glance like an acne breakout, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. The condition features small areas of raised, red, or white bumps. The fluid-filled bumps can crust over and become painful and itchy. In some cases, folliculitis appears as a large, single bump.
It can be helpful to see a dermatologist to make sure you have folliculitis. The infected hair follicles can look like another skin condition, such as acne. A board-certified dermatologist can tell you whether you have folliculitis and give you tips to help clear it.
Water and Soap
One of the most basic methods of solving folliculitis involves killing off the bacteria or fungus causing the issue. Soap and water are very effective in this regard. Be sure to use hot water and clean towels.
The rash appears as small red bumps or pus bumps that can itch or be mildly painful. Folliculitis is common on the buttocks, arms and legs - especially the thighs. Most improve in 7 to 10 days.
Brooks also advises avoiding diets high in carbs and sugars or with a high glycemic index, which can cause fluctuations in your glucose levels. “Rising glucose levels increase hormones in your skin, leading to oil production, which can cause folliculitis [inflammation of hair follicles],” he says.
Although uncommon, follicular lesions such as eosinophilic folliculitis have been reported in association with leukemia. However, follicular and papular mucinosis are novel associations for chronic myelomonocytic leukemia.
The condition is known to be an autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system attacks the hair follicles and prevents hair from growing. Usually hair will begin to fall out in clumps, leaving smooth bald spots on the head. The hair may grow back, but will fall out again over time.
And the classic manifestation of deep folliculitis is nodules. Because of the similar clinical manifestation, it is often hard to distinguish acne vulgaris from folliculitis, and that can cause misdiagnose or missed diagnose, and thus delay correct treatment.