Patient education: Bacterial folliculitis (The Basics)

What is folliculitis? — 

This is a skin problem that happens when a hair follicle gets infected (figure 1). A hair follicle is a sac under the skin where a hair starts to grow. Usually, folliculitis happens because bacteria (a kind of germ) get into the hair follicle. Other times, folliculitis is caused by a fungus or virus in the hair follicle, or because of another reason.

What are the symptoms of bacterial folliculitis? — 

The main symptom is small, raised bumps on the skin. The color of the bumps depends on your skin tone. They can be different shades of red, pink, or brown. They can even be your normal skin color. The bumps can be tender or itchy, and they might have pus in them.

Will I need tests? — 

Not usually. To make sure that you do not have another skin condition, your doctor or nurse will ask about your symptoms and do an exam. If it is hard to tell what is causing your folliculitis, they might test a sample of pus, or do a different test.

What can I do on my own? — 

You can:

●Wet a clean washcloth with warm water, and put it on the bumps. When the cloth cools, wet it with warm water again and put it back on the area. Repeat these steps for 10 to 15 minutes, 3 times a day.

●Avoid shaving the area that has folliculitis. That will irritate it more and might spread the infection.

●Wear loose-fitting clothing, especially when you exercise or sweat. This might help prevent getting bacterial folliculitis again. Some people also find it helpful to use an antibacterial soap or body wash.

What other treatment might I have? — 

If your bacterial folliculitis does not go away on its own, your doctor might prescribe an antibiotic to put on your skin. This could be a cream, ointment, or liquid. If a lot of your skin is affected, you might need an antibiotic pill. But most of the time, folliculitis gets better without treatment.

When should I call the doctor? — 

Call your doctor or nurse if:

●The folliculitis does not go away after you treat it at home.

●The bumps get larger or more painful.

●The bumps go away but then come back.

●You get a fever.

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