Folliculitis

Folliculitis

Adult Skin Problems Slideshow

Medical Author: Nili N. Alai, MD, FAAD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

• What is folliculitis? What are folliculitis symptoms? What does folliculitis look like?
• Who develops folliculitis?
• What is the prognosis (outlook) with folliculitis?
• How is folliculitis diagnosed?
• What else could folliculitis look like?
• What causes folliculitis? Does diet have anything to do with folliculitis?
• What is hot tub folliculitis or Jacuzzi folliculitis?
• What is razor burn folliculitis?
• What is pseudofolliculitis barbae?
• Is folliculitis curable? Is folliculitis contagious?
• What are possible complications of folliculitis?
• How is folliculitis treated?
• How do I prevent folliculitis?
• Folliculitis At A Glance
• Patient Discussions: Folliculitis - Describe Your Experience

What is folliculitis? What are folliculitis symptoms? What does folliculitis look like?

Folliculitis is a common skin condition that appears as numerous small red or pink little bumps at hair follicles. It can cause a "chicken skin" appearance on the skin. Folliculitis can affect any part of the skin, including the chest, back, arms, legs, buttocks, and cheeks. Often, 10-100 very small, slightly smooth bumps are scattered in a body area like the back. Some of the bumps may be slightly red or have an accompanying light-red halo indicating inflammation. Sometimes, scratching off the top reveals a small trapped or coiled hair within. Acne whiteheads, called milia, may also be in the same areas as folliculitis. Although folliculitis is primarily a skin condition of teenagers and younger adults, it is also seen in all ages.

In general, folliculitis is often cosmetically displeasing and otherwise medically harmless. Many cases of folliculitis may resolve spontaneously without any treatment. Folliculitis frequently affects otherwise healthy people. Treatment may typically include one or a combination of antibacterial washes, antibiotic creams or lotions, and antibiotic pills.

Who develops folliculitis?

Anyone can develop folliculitis wherever hair follicles are present on the body. The lesions in folliculitis most frequently involve the chest, back, and legs. Other common locations include the face, neck, thighs and buttocks. Although possible, it is rare to have it widespread all over the body. It does not affect the eyes, mouth, palms, or soles, where there are no hair follicles. Folliculitis is estimated to affect more 10%-20% of people at some point in their lives.

Certain groups of people are more prone to develop folliculitis. People with diabetes and those with a compromised immune system (such as from HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, chronic illnesses, cancer, systemic chemotherapy, immune-suppressing drugs) may be more prone to develop folliculitis.

Folliculitis - Describe Your Experience

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