The infection can spread and turn into crusty sores. Mild folliculitis will likely heal without scarring in a few days with basic self-care. More-serious or repeat infections may need prescription medicine. Left untreated, severe infections can cause permanent hair loss and scarring.
Follicles are the openings in the skin where the hair grows. 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.
Bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus (staph) are the most common cause of these infections. Symptoms may include redness, pus, pain, and fluid leaking from the sore. Folliculitis and mild boils may go away with no treatment or with topical treatments applied to your skin.
Most cases of folliculitis are completely curable. There are very uncommon, long-standing cases of folliculitis that may not be curable. Often these more resistant cases may be controlled with proper treatment and folliculitis medication. Folliculitis sometimes clears completely by itself without treatment.
Essential Oils. Tea tree oil, neem oil, geranium oil, grapefruit seed oil are very effective in treating folliculitis. Tea tree oil can be added to your shampoo, lotion or body wash. Rub it gently onto the affected area and let it sit.
Folliculitis signs and symptoms include: Clusters of small bumps or pimples around hair follicles. Pus-filled blisters that break open and crust over. Itchy, burning skin.
Use warm — not hot — water and small, circular motions to wash your affected areas with a washcloth, exfoliating brush or exfoliating gel or scrub. You can also remove an ingrown hair that has looped or curled back into your skin by gently pulling it out with a sterile needle, pin or tweezers.
Self-Care for Folliculitis
Mild folliculitis might go away without any medical treatment. To help yourself heal and ease symptoms, you can: Clean the infected area. Wash twice a day with warm water and antibacterial soap.
Folliculitis starts when hair follicles are damaged or when the follicle is blocked. For example, this may occur from rubbing against clothing or shaving. Most of the time, the damaged follicles become infected with staphylococci (staph) bacteria.
Some research suggests that avoiding foods made with wheat can ease your symptoms. Give up the grease. Unhealthy fats, low-fiber foods, and processed products can all lead to flare-ups.
Resist the temptation to squeeze or pop a folliculitis boil. While you might manage to express the pus and other infected fluid, you also run the risk of pushing those toxins more deeply into the skin, to the point that they may enter your bloodstream. Instead, let your dermatologist diagnose and treat the problem.
Mild cases may resolve without treatment. If staphylococcal infection is present, you may require a topical anti-septic or antibiotic treatment, such as dermol®, chlorhexidine or topical clindamycin gel. More deep-seated or persistent lesions require antibiotic tablets.
Warm compresses, Epsom salt soaks, baking soda pastes, and over-the-counter ointments can be effective.
Signs and symptoms of ingrown hair include: Tiny, swollen bumps where you shave, tweeze or wax. Small bumps that look like blisters or are filled with pus. Small bumps that are darker than surrounding skin (hyperpigmentation)
For persistent cases, a doctor might prescribe medications that are applied to the skin or taken by mouth. For folliculitis caused bacterial infection, a doctor might prescribe a topical antibiotic or antibiotic pills. If the cause is a fungus, an antifungal cream or shampoo may be recommended.
If folliculitis goes untreated it may result in serious or deep infections that may spread or cause permanent scarring, cellulitis, or even enter the bloodstream and become life-threatening.
In most cases, the main symptom of folliculitis is red bumps that look like pimples on your skin. These could also look like they're white-filled bumps or they could be filled with pus (pustules). Folliculitis can feel itchy and uncomfortable. Many people feel the need to scratch when they have folliculitis.
Pemphigus vulgaris is an autoimmune blistering disease that commonly involves the scalp. Lesions of pemphigus vulgaris that persist on the scalp for a long period may be accompanied by tufted hair folliculitis.
Antibacterial soap: Use antibacterial bar soaps such as Dial® or Cetaphil®. Use skin washes that contain benzoyl peroxide. If these bumps are bothersome or painful. If they are not improving or continue to appear.
One or More Swollen Red Bumps Draining Pus
This can start with a small bump that looks like a pimple or acne, but that quickly turns into a hard, painful red lump filled with pus or a cluster of pus-filled blisters. Not all boils are caused by MRSA bacteria — other kinds may be the culprit.