Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Common Rashes of the Skin: Part 5 - Folliculitis


Folliculitis is a common skin condition in which hair follicles become inflamed. It is usually caused by infection with bacteria or fungi. At first, folliculitis may look like small red bumps or white-headed pimples around hair follicles.The infection can spread and turn into non-healing, crusty sores or large boils. Severe infections can cause permanent hair loss and scarring.

This condition can be triggered by heat and sweat, friction from shaving or wearing tight clothing, and coverings on your skin, such as plastic dressings or adhesive tape.
Some recommendations to prevent flares of folliculitis: Avoid tight clothes to reduce friction. Avoid shaving, if possible. If you must shave, use an electric razor or a clean sharp blade every time you shave. Before shaving, wash your skin with warm water and a mild facial cleanser. Use lubricating shave cream or gel before shaving. Apply moisturizing lotion after shaving. Shave in the direction of hair growth.
Treatments for folliculitis include topical and oral medications to control infection. Minor surgery is sometimes needed for boils arising from folliculitis. Laser hair removal is sometimes recommended for areas with chronic folliculitis and when standard treatments have failed.

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