A Simple Guide to Folliculitis

A Simple Guide to Folliculitis
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What is Folliculitis?
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Folliculitis is a bacterial infection of the skin hair follicle.


Who is at risk from Folliculitis?
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People of all ages are affected .

It is more common in diabetes and people with low immune system.


What are the causes of Folliculitis?
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1.The cause is infection of bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus.

2.Poor skin hygiene

3.Skin damaged by eczema and dermatitis

4.Nasal transport of Staphylococcus aureus.

5.May complicate diabetes and low immune system patients like leukemia.


What are Signs and symptoms of Folliculitis?
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Symptoms:

1.Occurs at root of a hair follicle

2.superficial pustule or nodule

3.May become chronic at beard area.

4.May be painful


How is the diagnosis of Folliculitis made?
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1.pustule at root of hair.

2.Skin scraping for microscopic examination, culture and sensitivity.

3.Blood count.



What are the complications of Folliculitis?
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1.Fungal infection

2.furuncle or carbuncle which are bigger and deeper areas of infection.


What is the treatment of Folliculitis?
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A. Skin hygiene
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1. clean skin with antiseptic.

2. avoid scratching the skin

3. avoid plaster and poultices

4. cover with gauze after skin injury


B. Medicines:
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1. topical antibacterials such as bacitracin, neomycin, gentamycin, tetracycline creams

2. Oral Antibiotics may be given if necessary.

3. Complicated conditions such as carbuncles may require surgical debridement.


What is the prognosis of Folliculitis ?
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Generally good to excellent but may recur.

Prompt treatment is important to prevent complication


What are the Preventive measures taken for Folliculitis?
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1.Good skin hygiene

2.Healthy lifestyle with balanced diet and adequate sleep.

3.Avoid scratching of skin

4.Use clean razors for shaving

5.Avoid plasters and poultices.

A Simple Guide to Folliculitis

A Simple Guide to Folliculitis
-----------------------------------------

What is Folliculitis?
--------------------------

Folliculitis is an infection of the hair follicles.

What are the causes of Folliculitis?
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Folliculitis may occur after:
1. abrasions or wounds on the skin

2.friction due to tight clothing

3.eczema or dermatitis

4.diabetes or leukemia patients are more susceptible to infection

The bacteria causing the folliculitis is usually staphylococcus aureus.

What are the symptoms and signs of Folliculitis?
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There is usually a superficial pustule or inflammatory nodule surrounding the base of a hair.

They may occur all around the same area or scattered on the body.

Chronic Folliculitis may occur around the beard area.(sycosis barbae)

What are the complications of Folliculitis?
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The inflammatory nodule of Folliculitis may develop into a pustule with cental necrosis and discharge of pus and sometimes blood stained material.
This is a furuncle or boil.

A group of furuncles can merge and become a larger entity called a carbuncle which is deep and wide .

What is the treatment of Folliculitis?
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Most mild Folliculitis may disappear by itself without treatment after a few days.

The severe cases requires topical antibiotic creams like bactroban or systemic antibiotics to clear the infections.

Carbuncles may need surgical treatment.