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.
Effective Treatment For Clogged Hair Follicles
Exfoliation Techniques: Gentle exfoliation using specialized scrubs or brushes can effectively remove dead skin cells and excess sebum that contribute to clogged follicles.
Removing hair by shaving, waxing or tweezing can cause ingrown hairs. New hairs grow from hair follicles under your skin. Shaving, waxing and tweezing only remove hair strands — they don't remove hair follicles. When new hair grows, it may curl back and enter your skin.
What causes the follicles to block? The precise cause or causes of follicular occlusion are unknown. There are genetic, hormonal and environmental influences. Environmental factors may include smoking, obesity, high carbohydrate diet, humidity, and bacteria.
Hidradenitis suppurativa develops when hair follicles become blocked, but why this blockage occurs isn't known. Experts think it could be connected to hormones, genetic predisposition, cigarette smoking or excess weight.
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.
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.
Tea tree oil contains many beneficial compounds for maintaining scalp health and promoting follicle health. These compounds can help clean clogged hair follicles created by excess dirt or dead skin cells, helping them remain open so new hairs can grow in their place.
Clogged pores can look enlarged, bumpy, or, in the case of blackheads, dark in color. The more oil that a person's skin produces, the more likely it is that their pores will become blocked. A person can use skin care techniques and products to manage or clear clogged pores.
Dr. Zeichner says using an exfoliating product that contains a hydroxy acid like salicylic or glycolic is, "the best way" to open up clogged hair follicles. He explains, "These acids dissolve connections between skin cells so they can be easily shed from the skin. In this way, they open up the pores."
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.
Alopecia areata is a disease that happens when the immune system attacks hair follicles and causes hair loss. Hair follicles are the structures in skin that form hair. While hair can be lost from any part of the body, alopecia areata usually affects the head and face.
Heat causes sweat. Both can cause clogged hair follicles and make them worse. Keep your body temperature down by drinking plenty of water and staying indoors when you can. If certain bacteria get into your hair follicles, it can clog them.
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 addition to kickstarting your follicles through targeted scalp massages, certain topical hair-care products like serums and scalp cleansers can help prompt your follicles to get back to work. They contain ingredients that, when applied directly to your scalp, work to stimulate and nourish your follicles.
Apple Cider Vinegar keeps scalp and hair pH balanced and works to seal the hair's cuticle for increased shine. It also helps to gently exfoliate the scalp and unclog hair follicles.
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.
HS usually starts after puberty, usually in the teens or twenties. It is more common in: Women.
While this may seem like it makes no sense, the inside front area of the nostrils is often a place where bacteria can survive a course of oral antibiotics. Later, they spread back to the skin to cause a relapse. Chronic or recurring folliculitis is less likely to clear with just antibiotics.
This is a myth. Companies who claim that your clogged follicles are preventing the hair from growing out are being dishonest. Clogged or blocked follicles are not the cause of hair loss. Poor circulation in your scalp can cause hair loss.