Bacteria and fungi are common triggers for folliculitis. So are heavy or oily skin products and hair removal techniques like shaving and waxing. What kills folliculitis bacteria? Washing with warm water and antibacterial soap is often enough to clean and help heal the area.
Clean the affected skin.
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 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.
Folliculitis looks like acne pimples or non-healing, crusty sores. An acute eruption or one present for only a short time is usually due to Staph bacteria (impetigo of Bockhart). This is treated with oral cephalexin, dicloxacillin or similar oral antibiotic. Topical antibiotics creams or lotions can also be used.
Folliculitis is an infection of hair follicles. Diagnosis is clinical. Treatment for most cases of bacterial folliculitis is with topical mupirocin or clindamycin.
Cleaning your wounds or sores with antibacterial soap and water. Applying an antibiotic ointment on your wounds or sores. Covering your wounds or sores with a bandage to prevent dirt or bacteria from entering the area. Refraining from touching or rubbing your affected areas.
Sometimes, when Malassezia gets into the hair follicles, it can cause an itchy condition that looks like an acne breakout. It usually occurs on the upper chest and back. This form of folliculitis is made worse (aggravated) by sweat.
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.
Superficial folliculitis usually presents with multiple small spots and pustules, on an inflamed base, pierced by a central hair, although this might not always be visible. Deeper lesions present as painful, often pustular, inflamed lumps. Persistent or recurrent lesions may result in scarring and permanent hair loss.
Treatment for folliculitis depends on the severity and cause. For mild cases, keeping the affected area clean and avoiding irritants might be enough. Warm compresses can help soothe itching and promote healing. Most folliculitis resolves on its own within seven to 10 days.
Initial treatment of folliculitis includes warm compresses 2-3 times per day. Certain antibacterial soaps including Dial®, Hibiclens® wash or a benzoyl peroxide wash can be helpful, though can irritate the skin. For more severe cases, topical or even oral antibiotics can be used.
Viral infections
Folliculitis may be caused by the herpes simplex virus. This tends to be tender and resolves without treatment in around ten days. Severe recurrent attacks may be treated with aciclovir and other antiviral agents.
Folliculitis is common on the buttocks, arms and legs - especially the thighs. Most improve in 7 to 10 days. Sometimes after the rash is gone, dark marks can be left behind.
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.
For localised areas of folliculitis, an antibiotic cream may be useful. Fusidic acid is a suitable antibiotic cream that can be applied 3-4 times per day to affected areas. If the folliculitis is thought to be fungal, a different treatment may be used.
Pus-filled bumps that appear due to fungal acne tend to be almost the same size, while bacterial acne appears in various sizes. Location. Fungal acne often appears on the arms, chest and back. However, it can also be on the face, where bacterial acne is most common.
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.
The application of a topical triple-antibiotic ointment (containing neomycin, polymyxin, and bacitracin) eradicated resident bacteria through 25 layers of the stratum corneum and prevented repopulation of bacteria overnight but not at 1 week.
Tea Tree Oil. Tea tree oil has bactericidal properties that decrease bacterial growth, making it effective for treating staph infections. It can also reduce pain and itching, providing relief from the discomfort associated with staph infections.
How to Tell the Difference Between Bacterial and Fungal Infections. In broad terms, bacterial infections often cause acute inflammation, pus or swelling, while fungal infections develop slowly and cause symptoms like a persistent cough, itchy rash or thickened skin.