Folliculitis is a bacterial infection that affects the hair follicles. It is one of the most ordinary forms of skin disease which is generally insignificant although it may affect numerous parts of the body and in large numbers. Normally, it looks like tiny red bumps that occur in hair follicles. This means that any part of the body that contains hair may fall victim to folliculitis. This includes the head, chest, back, legs, arms and buttocks. Folliculitis is mostly seen to affect the youth within mid to post teenagers.
Folliculitis is not a major disease. It is quite insignificant and usually goes away on its own within a few days of its appearance. However, many people are annoyed by folliculitis simply because of its repulsive appearance, with patients who have a severe case seeming to have a “chicken-skin” look. Nearly 10% to 20% of people suffer from a case of folliculitis in at least a single phase of their lives. However, there are a small number of people who are more likely to suffer from folliculitis such as people who have a weakened immune system.
Though folliculitis is a very simple illness, there are a few situations where it may become complicated. It may happen that the red swellings may expand into abscesses containing pus. The treatment for this complication is merely some minor drainage through surgery. The folliculitis may also extend to another, more serious skin condition called cellulitis. However, all problems regarding folliculitis are still not that significant and can be easily overcome with minor remedies.
The treatment for folliculitis depends on the severity as well as the cause of the disease. The treatment is rather simple and usually does not take much time. However, it may get complex if the illness becomes more serious. In general, folliculitis may be caused by either bacterial or fungal infections. Both have different forms of treatments with different medicines and processes.
For mild cases of folliculitis caused by bacterial infections, the simplest way to remove the bumps is by using an antibiotic cream or ointment to clean the infected areas. Bacitracin and Clindamycin are good examples and are quite effective. Using an antiseptic cleanser is also very beneficial and helps remove the bumps in no time.
If the case is very severe, then it is best to get the aid of a doctor. Usually they will prescribe a regular dosage of antibiotics. There are a few antibiotics that are particularly effective against the bacteria present in folliculitis such as Ciprofloxacin and Erythromycin; only to name a few.
If the folliculitis is caused by a fungal infection, then the patient will be treated with a regular dose of antifungal pills such as Lamisil and Fluconazole. If the infection causes any sort of pain or irritation, the doctor may also prescribe corticosteroid.
Aside from medication, there are also many homemade remedies to folliculitis. An effective method is to lie in a tub filled with diluted white vinegar to immerse the affected body parts. This is done by combining 1 part vinegar with 4 parts of water. Another method is to soak in a tub of extremely diluted Clorox bleach. This can be prepared by mixing a quarter of a cup of Clorox in an entire bathtub full of water. Folliculitis occurring in the head can be cured by using a shampoo that contains selenium.
It is always important to remember that not every treatment method may work for everyone. There are many factors to consider before starting any form of medication such as allergic reactions. Even with homemade remedies, it is always best to consult a doctor or a professional so that the treatment does not end up intensifying the illness.
Comments are closed