Infected Hair Follicle Treatment

Clinically termed as Folliculitis, infected hair follicle is defined as the inflammation of the hair follicles. The most common cause of infected hair follicle include a type of bacteria known as staphylococcus (staph) aureus. Due to this, the illness can also be regarded as a staph infection of the hair follicle. Other causes which are held responsible include wearing tight clothing or shaving which may cause friction, over-sweating, skin problems such as acne or dermatitis, skin abrasions or wounds from a surgery and at times, prolonged air tight contact of the skin with adhesive tape or plastic dressing. This was about the various infected hair follicle causes. Now, let's touch upon the symptoms of this infection before we head on to the part of infected hair follicle treatment.

Infected Hair Follicle Symptoms
The symptoms vary according to the type of the infection caused. Superficial folliculitis and deep folliculitis are the major categorizations of an infected hair follicle. Superficial folliculitis includes staphylococcal folliculitis, pseudomonas folliculitis (hot tub folliculitis), tinea barbae, pseudofolliculitis barbae, pityrosporum folliculi and herpetic folliculitis.

Itchy, white pus-filled bumps are the symptoms of staphylococcal folliculitis while red, round and itchy bumps are those of pseudomonas folliculitis. Tinea barbae is common in the beard area and its symptoms are itchy, white bumps. Pseudofolliculitis barbae has raised, dark scars on the neck and face area and swelling in some cases, as its different symptoms. The back, chest and neck area is affected by red, itching pustules in case of pityrosporum folliculi. At times shoulder, face and upper arms are also affected. If you notice a small blister filled with fluid, then it may be the symptom of a herpetic folliculitis.

Gram-negative folliculitis, skin boils and carbuncles, and eosinophilic folliculitis are the forms of deep folliculitis. Coming to the symptoms of deep folliculitis, pain is common, apart from blisters full of pus which break open and crust over, a swollen bum, and recurring patches of inflamed, pus-filled sores. These sores primarily appear on the face and sometimes on the back or upper arms. Other symptoms are remnants of the cleared infection which exist in the form of scars. More on folliculitis: causes, symptoms and treatment.

Infected Hair Follicle Treatment
The following lists the different procedures for infected hair follicle treatment along with the types of infection.

Staphylococcal Folliculitis
Topical or oral antibiotics may be prescribed by the doctor for this type of infected hair follicle treatment. Shaving the infected area is to be refrained from or if there is a necessity, electric razor or a clean razor should be used.

Pseudomonas Folliculitis (Hot Tub Folliculitis)
Hot tub folliculitis normally does not require any specific treatment. However, medications may be recommended to provide relief from itching. Oral-antibiotics may be required in cases where the infection takes a severe form.

Tinea Barbae
Oral anti-fungal medications are effective enough for this infected hair follicle treatment.

Pseudofolliculitis Barbae
Self-care measures while shaving the skin is the infected hair follicle treatment for this infection. Avoid using razor blade and go for electric razor. Using shaving gel is more preferable than using a shaving cream. Do not shave in a direction which is against the one of the hair growth and remember to wash with warm water and apply a moisturizing cream or after-shave.

Pityrosporum Folliculi
As this infection is caused due to a yeast-like fungus, topical or oral anti-fungals are generally prescribed for the treatment. The infection has a tendency to reoccur in future and in order to prevent this, indefinite use of topical ointments is usually recommended.

Herpetic Folliculitis
Infected hair follicle treatment in this case does not require help of any medications, unless the person is in good health. However, if there is a medical history of HIV/AIDS or outbreak of cold sores, then the affected person will be advised to go for a course of oral anti-viral medication.

Gram-negative Folliculitis
Antibiotics or isotretinoin (Accutane) are administered for gram-negative hair follicle infection treatment.

Boils and Carbuncles
A small incision in the boil or carbuncle reliefs the pain and helps in a speedy recovery. It also prevents scarring on the skin. The affected area should be covered with sterile gauze for the pus to keep draining. Antibiotics may also come in use to keep the infection from recurring. Read more on

• How to Treat Boils
• How to Cure Boils

Eosinophilic Folliculitis
Oral corticosteroids for severe infection and topical corticosteroids in general case, are the choices for eosinophilic hair follicle infection. HIV/AIDS patients may be prescribed topical steroids, apart from oral antihistamines.

Keeping the causes of infected hair follicle at bay can keep you away from all such 'not at all comfortable' skin infections. Maintain good hygiene and proper skin care and you can save time for other useful stuffs rather than contemplating about all these different infected hair follicle treatments!