Main Campus: Chesterfield, MO 63017 | 
Folliculitis
Pseudofolliculitis barbae; Tinea barbae; Barber's itch
Folliculitis is inflammation of one or more hair follicles. It can occur anywhere on the skin.
Causes
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.
Barber's itch is a staph infection of the hair follicles in the beard area, usually the upper lip. Shaving makes it worse. Tinea barbae is similar to barber's itch, but the infection is caused by a fungus.
Pseudofolliculitis barbae is a disorder that occurs mainly in African American men. If curly beard hairs are cut too short, they may curve back into the skin and cause inflammation.
Symptoms
Common symptoms include a rash , itching, and pimples or pustules near a hair follicle in the neck, groin, or genital area. The pimples may crust over.
Rash
Rashes involve changes in the color, feeling or texture of your skin.
Pimples
Acne is a skin condition that causes pimples or "zits. " Whiteheads, blackheads, and red, inflamed patches of skin (such as cysts) may develop....
Pustules
Pustules are small, inflamed, pus-filled, blister-like sores (lesions) on the skin surface.
Exams and Tests
Your health care provider can diagnose this condition by looking at your skin. Lab tests may show which bacteria or fungus is causing the infection.
Treatment
Hot, moist compresses may help drain the affected follicles.
Treatment may include antibiotics applied to the skin or taken by mouth, or an antifungal medicine.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Folliculitis often responds well to treatment, but it may come back.
Possible Complications
Folliculitis may return or spread to other body areas.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Apply home treatment and call your provider if your symptoms:
- Come back often
- Get worse
- Last longer than 2 or 3 days
Prevention
To prevent further damage to the hair follicles and infection:
- Reduce friction from clothing.
- Avoid shaving the area, if possible. If shaving is necessary, use a clean, new razor blade or an electric razor each time.
- Keep the area clean.
- Avoid contaminated clothing and washcloths.
References
Habif TP. Bacterial infections. In: Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 9.
Pasternack MS, Swartz MN. Cellulitis, necrotizing faciitis, and subcutaneous tissue infections. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases, Updated Edition . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 95.
-
Folliculitis, decalvans on the scalp - illustration
Folliculitis, decalvans causes scarring with hair loss (alopecia). There are areas of "corn stalking" (grouped hairs arising within the area of alopecia), redness (erythema), crusting, and pustules. Due to severe scarring, permanent hair loss occurs in the involved sites.
Folliculitis, decalvans on the scalp
illustration
-
Folliculitis on the leg - illustration
Folliculitis has caused redness (erythema) and pus-filled blisters (pustules) to form around the hair follicles on this person's leg. This condition may be caused by infection or an irritation, such as shaving.
Folliculitis on the leg
illustration
-
Folliculitis, decalvans on the scalp - illustration
Folliculitis, decalvans causes scarring with hair loss (alopecia). There are areas of "corn stalking" (grouped hairs arising within the area of alopecia), redness (erythema), crusting, and pustules. Due to severe scarring, permanent hair loss occurs in the involved sites.
Folliculitis, decalvans on the scalp
illustration
-
Folliculitis on the leg - illustration
Folliculitis has caused redness (erythema) and pus-filled blisters (pustules) to form around the hair follicles on this person's leg. This condition may be caused by infection or an irritation, such as shaving.
Folliculitis on the leg
illustration
Review Date: 12/10/2016
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
