Methods Of Preventing And Treating Folliculitis

Folliculitis is a common condition that results in an inflammation of the hair follicles. Both bacterial and fungal infections can cause folliculitis, and the infection may initially appear similar to pimples around the follicles. As the condition advances, sores may form, and these may scab over and not heal on their own. Typical symptoms include pain and tenderness in the skin, large swollen lumps, and skin itching or burning. Patients may also develop blisters, and these could fill with pus. To diagnose folliculitis, a dermatologist will examine the patient's skin and possibly use a dermascope for a microscopic skin examination. For cases that don't resolve with conservative treatments, the dermatologist may need to take a swab of infected skin or hair to determine the underlying cause of the infection. In rare instances, a skin biopsy might be recommended to rule out the presence of other skin conditions. Some patients may experience multiple episodes of folliculitis.