Have you often been left embarrassed by those red and itchy bumps or spots on your skin?? Contrary to common belief, it is not acne or rashes but is likely to be folliculitis. The hair follicles or tiny pockets in the sin from where hair grows- usually become inflamed due to bacterial or fungal infection. This results in white-headed pimples in and around the follicular region. This infection can spread and turn into persistent crusty sores.
Folliculitis symptoms include:
- Itchy, burning, tender skin
- Painful rashes or blisters
- Clusters of red or white-headed pimples around hair follicles
- Crusty textured, pus-filled blisters
- A large swollen bump or mass
If you have been experiencing folliculitis symptoms that don’t seem to go away even with medications, seek a second opinion from the Best dermatologist in India.
Let’s have a look at what causes folliculitis:
- Improperly maintained bath or toilet – wares
- Shaving, plucking or waxing
- Medication side-effects
- Weight-gain
As mentioned before, different types of folliculitis can be caused by different types of microbes.
- Bacterial folliculitis is the most common type of infection marked by white-headed bumps that are pus-filled and itchy. Staphylococcus aureus or staph generally lives on our skin; it enters our system through wounds and becomes active, thus triggering inflammation.
- Hot tub folliculitis – Caused by pseudomonas folliculitis, this infection may give red, bumpy, itchy spots or rashes. Many infections are often traced back to hot tubs, bathtubs, and heated swimming pools that are under-maintained and unhygienic, with irregular chlorine or pH levels.
- Razor bumps – Ingrown hairs cause this kind of skin irritation. People with curly or hard hair growth on limbs, face and chin, and bikini waxes, get affected by pseudofolliculitis barbae. This condition also leaves dark, raised scars called keloids.
- Pityrosporum folliculitis- This skin condition is triggered by a yeast infection which produces chronic, red, itchy pustules on the back, chest, upper arms and face.
Treatment
Folliculitis is generally treated with creams, lotions, and shampoos, with anti-irritant agents and skin-soothing properties. Most of them are antibiotic or antifungal in nature. In contrast, very few cases involve minor incisions made into the spots/rashes to drain the pus, which is then dressed in gauze bandages. If all else fails, laser hair removal treatment is often carried out. This treatment is usually expensive because it involves multiple sittings, advanced equipment, and hair follicle removal.
Confirm diagnosis, optimise treatment and avoid unnecessary risks by searching for the Best dermatologist in India or dermatologist near me. You shall be redirected to the SeekMed page, where you can connect with India’s top dermatologists. This global telemedicine platform enables you to make informed skin-health decisions with the help of award-winning superspecialists. Manage skincare effectively with empowered health decisions and get healthy glowing skin by searching for a ‘dermatologist near me’ on your device.
