Understanding The Different Types Of Folliculitis
Folliculitis is a common skin condition! It starts with an inflamed hair follicle. Typically, it is the result of a bacterial or fungal infection. Many cases look like red bumps or whiteheads! When this infection spreads, it turns into sores. These sores will scab. They also take a long time to heal! Thankfully, folliculitis is not a life-threatening condition. However, it is often itchy and painful!
Many patients use antifungal shampoo for folliculitis. However, anti-dandruff shampoo is also a good treatment! It is worth noting that many individuals mistake this condition as acne. This is why they seek acne treatment! Malassezia acne treatment, however, is different. It means a prescription for folliculitis and medicated shampoos! Patients often take antibiotics for folliculitis, many of which are antibiotic creams! Certain natural remedies for folliculitis are also helpful. However, patients must know what type they have first!
Pityrosporum Folliculitis
Pityrosporum folliculitis is the type that appears due to yeast infecting the hair follicles. The specific yeast that triggers this condition is malassezia! This skin condition is quite common and appears on the chest, upper back, and shoulders. However, it often goes misdiagnosed! In fact, many patients mistakenly believe that they have severe acne when it is actually this condition. When this is the case, treating it as acne is not going to be helpful. Patients need to pay attention to their symptoms. Acne causes whiteheads and blackheads. This form of folliculitis does not have either as symptoms! In addition, this type of folliculitis is often itchy. Acne is not!
Patients with this skin condition often also have dandruff and similar skin conditions. This is because malassezia causes both. Thankfully, the same antifungal shampoo treats both pityrosporum folliculitis and dandruff!
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Bacterial Folliculitis
Bacterial folliculitis is the type that most individuals are referring to when they talk about folliculitis. This is because it is so common! It is not caused by yeast or fungus. Instead, it is the result of a bacterial infection! Typically, it is the staphylococcus aureus bacteria that causes this condition. This type of folliculitis affects both children and adults!
Certain types of clothing and ointments increase an individual's risk of developing it. Individuals are also at a higher risk of this condition when they shave or wax frequently. Other hair removal methods also heighten this risk! The reason for this is that frequent hair removal causes skin irritation. This allows bacteria to enter the hair follicles! Tight clothes increase friction on the skin, which also causes infection. Using topical corticosteroids and antibiotics long-term also increases the risk of bacterial folliculitis. Immunocompromised individuals see more severe breakouts with this condition!
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Hot Tub Folliculitis
Hot tub folliculitis is caused by individuals spending a long time in a hot tub! This is because the bacteria that causes it thrives in warm and wet areas! Although the hot tub the most common cause, patients do get it elsewhere as well. This form of the infection occurs in the lower portion of hair follicles.
Patients with this type of folliculitis will have a red and bumpy rash. This rash will also be itchy! Only rare cases are not itchy. The rash does look similar to acne, and many of the bumps will be filled with pus! Most patients see this rash develop within a few hours or days following their time in the hot tub. Typically, the rash occurs under their swimsuit. It will also be on their chest, just below where the water hits in the tub! The rash often turns into tender and dark red bumps, which will be painful.
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Sycosis Barbae
Sycosis barbae is the form of folliculitis that is connected to shaving! It occurs when a man's beard becomes infected with bacteria. Men who shave are at risk of getting, though those who do not shave also develop this condition. Men with African ancestry are at a higher risk than others. Individuals who use bladed razors are more likely to develop sycosis barbae than those who use electric razors. Women, of course, can also develop this condition! Thankfully, it is not life-threatening for most patients. This condition does, however, have severe effects! Patients often experience deep scarring and permanent hair loss due to this condition.
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Boils And Carbuncles
Both carbuncles and boils are types of folliculitis! Boils are painful and pus-filled bumps that form below the skin's surface. They are the result of bacterial infections! The infection must affect at least one hair follicle, though many cases infect more than one. Boils start as red and tender bumps. However, when they swell with pus, they will rupture eventually! They will have a white or yellow tip to them before this happens.
Carbuncles are the result of boil clusters under the skin. This means that boils connect and cause a larger overall infected area! Additionally, carbuncles are deeper infections. They increase a patient's risk of scarring! Typically, patients see boils and carbuncles on their face, thighs, armpits, and buttocks. They are also commonly found on the back of their neck!