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Folliculitis: Appearance, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

clogged hair follicles

The condition is also called pseudofolliculitis barbae. It develops when shaved hairs curve back into the skin, leading to inflammation. Mild folliculitis will likely heal without scarring in a few days with basic self-care. More-serious or repeat infections may need prescription medicine. Left untreated, severe infections can cause permanent hair loss and scarring. Folliculitis is more common than hidradenitis suppurativa.

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Eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, exercise, and avoid stress to help prevent flare-ups. Folliculitis due to ingrown hairs usually improves when a person stops shaving for up to 1 week. If you aren’t noticing any improvement after a few days, or things seem to be getting worse, make an appointment to see a doctor. You may need a prescription antifungal cream or oral antibiotic, especially if you have a weakened immune system or have recurring folliculitis.

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Eosinophilic folliculitis causes deep-set, pus-filled skin lesions to occur mostly on the face, neck, and scalp. This form of folliculitis affects infants and people with weakened immune systems. The lesions can leave dark spots on the skin, which is also known as hyperpigmentation. This is a test where a small sample of your skin is removed and then taken to a lab where it’s studied.

Folliculitis Diagnosis

clogged hair follicles

Folliculitis is a common skin condition that’s often caused by an infected or inflamed hair follicle. It can look similar to acne and be uncomfortable or itchy. Folliculitis often has a psychosocial impact because of its appearance. There are many different types of folliculitis — each one unique based on the cause, the infectious organism and its impact on the skin.

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FUE is not a preventive measure for future hair loss, though it can fix current patchy or balding areas. The best way to find out if single follicle hair graft FUE is right for you is to speak to Dr. Omidi personally at an individual consultation. Washing with warm water and antibacterial soap is often enough to clean and help heal the area. You can also try a saltwater solution, or vinegar mixed with water. Over-the-counter antibiotic creams often work as well.

What do blocked hair follicles feel like?

It’s also possible for your skin to feel painful. Doctors can treat severe folliculitis with a prescription-strength antifungal or antibiotic ointment. They can also prescribe a medicated shampoo that relieves itching, and helps kill infectious microbes. Many people can treat mild or superficial cases with OTC antibiotics, a medicated shampoo, and lifestyle changes.

While generally not harmful, pilar cysts can be irritating and cause pain when brushing hair. What you eat and drink doesn’t cause blocked hair follicles. Stay away from dairy for a few weeks and see how your HS goes. Steer clear of beer, wheat, and anything with brewer’s yeast to see if your bumps lessen or go away completely. If the number is higher than it should be, aim to drop it by 10%.

When should I call my doctor about folliculitis?

That’s often because a hair follicle has become blocked up with bacteria. Malassezia is a type of yeast naturally found on your skin. If too much grows, it can get into a hair follicle and make your skin itchy. You’re more likely to have this type if your skin is oily, you have dandruff, or you sweat a lot. Superficial folliculitis is when only part of the hair follicle is damaged, while deep folliculitis is when the whole follicle is damaged.

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Talk with your health care provider about the risks of the treatments you're considering. These can dampen pain signals from your nerves. They can also help treat anxiety or depression, which are really common if you have HS. If you feel pain, or if you're starting to feel depressed, talk with your doctor to see if they should be part of your treatment plan. Seek immediate medical care if you experience signs of a spreading infection. These include a sudden increase in redness or pain, fever, chills, and a feeling of being unwell (malaise).

HS loves to hang out in places where your skin rubs together. You may also find bunches of blocked hair follicles where your skin chafes against something else. Wear loose-fitting clothes with natural fabrics to keep bumps at bay. Women, go with tampons instead of sanitary napkins. A follicular unit is a natural cluster of between one to four terminal hairs.

“Use a variety of different shampoos—don’t use the same shampoo every day; rotate them,” LoGerfo says. Using a medicated shampoo in more severe cases can help. Over time, areas of skin, such as your underarms or groin, may be filled with widespread lumps and significant amounts of thickened scar tissue. If you have any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor right away. Choose a brush specifically designed for your hair type and needs. For example, use a wide-tooth comb for curly hair and a soft-bristle brush for fine hair.

Sometimes it works even better than medicine for clearing up blocked hair follicles. You don't have to lose a lot to see a difference. If a person has an underlying health condition that weakens their immune system, they may be at a higher risk of scalp folliculitis. They may wish to speak to a doctor, who can help manage their condition and prevent scalp folliculitis. Eosinophilic folliculitis may become a chronic, but mild condition.

Superficial folliculitis affects the upper part of the hair follicle and the skin around the follicle. Deep folliculitis affects more of the follicle or even all of it. 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.

In this article, we discuss the symptoms, causes, complications, and treatments of scalp folliculitis. The condition isn’t contagious, and you can usually treat it at home. But in some cases, the infection can spread to other follicles and cause scarring or permanent hair loss. Sometimes folliculitis goes away without medical treatment. Self-care measures may help relieve your symptoms.

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