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Folliculitis
What should I do about folliculitis?
Folliculitis refers to an inflammatory change in the skin appendages, which is quite common and can occur on the scalp as well as in areas of abundant sebum secretion such as the face, chest, and back. It is more prevalent in males, with symptoms generally more severe than in females. A low-fat diet is advised, avoiding spicy foods, and consuming more green vegetables and coarse fibers to regulate lipid metabolism, in addition to anti-inflammatory and other symptomatic treatments. Oral medications such as ebastine tablets, compound glycyrrhizin tablets, and vitamin B6 tablets can be used in combination with systemic antibiotics like clarithromycin extended-release tablets and doxycycline hydrochloride capsules. Traditional Chinese medicines like tanshinone can also be utilized, along with topical applications such as clindamycin phosphate gel and fusidic acid cream. (Please follow medical advice when using medications.)
How is folliculitis treated?
Folliculitis is a bacterial infection of the hair follicles and surrounding tissues. Most cases of folliculitis are caused by Staphylococcus aureus, with occasional infections from epidermal staphylococci, Streptococci, E. coli, and others either alone or in combination. Another scenario involves fungal folliculitis secondary to bacterial infection, typically involving Malassezia, spores, and Dermatophytes. Contributing factors include high temperatures, excessive sweating, scratching, poor hygiene habits, certain chronic systemic diseases, and long-term use of corticosteroids. Therefore, the treatment of folliculitis requires understanding the specific cause of the infection, followed by targeted treatment of the cause. Initial measures should focus on maintaining skin cleanliness and hygiene, preventing injuries, and boosting the body's immune system, primarily using topical medications. For widespread folliculitis or severe secondary infections, systemic medication may be required. If there is a concurrent fungal infection, antifungal medications are also necessary. In severe cases of folliculitis, where there is abscess formation and pus accumulation, timely incision and drainage are needed, and one should avoid squeezing the affected areas.
How should folliculitis be treated?
Folliculitis is caused by a bacterial infection of the hair follicles. If the folliculitis is severe and there is obvious surrounding swelling, it is known as a furuncle or boil. When multiple furuncles involve several hair follicles, it forms a carbuncle. Thus, the infection severity differs between folliculitis, furuncles, and carbuncles. How is folliculitis treated? First, it is important to maintain clean and hygienic skin and to enhance the body's immune system. Treatment primarily involves topical medications. In the early stages before abscess formation, mupirocin ointment can be used. If there is significant surrounding swelling, ichthammol ointment or topical iodine complex can be used. For more severe cases of folliculitis, oral antibiotics may be selected based on the condition, including penicillins such as cephalosporins, or erythromycin and other macrolide antibiotics, but it is important to ensure there is no allergy to these antibiotics before use.
How should folliculitis be treated?
Folliculitis is caused by a bacterial infection of the hair follicles. The first step in treating folliculitis is to maintain skin cleanliness. In the summer, it is important to bathe and change clothes frequently. Additionally, topical medications can be used, such as mupirocin ointment. For some cases of folliculitis that have not yet suppurated, ichthammol ointment can be applied to the swollen areas, and topical iodine can be used. For more severe cases of folliculitis, especially when boils form or multiple follicles are affected and congested, oral medications may be used. Commonly used in clinical settings are penicillins or cephalosporins if the patient is not allergic to them. Alternatively, macrolides like erythromycin, or fluoroquinolones and quinolones can be chosen. (Medication use should be under the guidance of a physician.)
What is folliculitis excision surgery?
Most cases of folliculitis are not very severe and can usually be gradually reduced with common oral and topical anti-inflammatory medications. If a particular folliculitis is relatively large, with a pronounced pustule, local disinfection and lancing to remove pus and blood may also be considered. Some cases of folliculitis are characteristically very painful and soft to the touch; in these instances, surgical drainage may be employed. Generally, after thorough surgical cleaning, the area can slowly heal. During treatment, anti-inflammatory medications should continue to be taken orally. It's recommended to avoid spicy and irritating foods for a long period, avoid staying up late, and it is best not to keep small animals at home or go to public baths and swimming pools. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician and do not medicate blindly.)
Can folliculitis be popped?
Generally speaking, folliculitis can mostly subside slowly by itself through oral or topical anti-inflammatory medications. If an individual follicle is particularly large, or if long-term medication is ineffective, local disinfection followed by draining the pus can be effective. This condition is associated with vigorous secretion of sebaceous glands, eating spicy and stimulating foods, or frequently staying up late. Therefore, after recovery, it is essential to regulate one's diet and lifestyle habits: avoid staying up late and consuming spicy or heavily flavored foods. Regular exercise, frequent bathing, and sweating can help prevent relapse. Continuously taking medications that reduce sebaceous gland secretion or those that clear heat and purge fire long-term can also be beneficial.
How to completely cure folliculitis?
The occurrence of folliculitis is related to the immune status of the body. To avoid recurrence, regular dietary and lifestyle habits are necessary, along with adjustments to the body's immune status. It is advisable to avoid spicy and irritating foods, and enhance the cleanliness of the scalp and skin. Anti-inflammatory and symptomatic treatments should be administered, including oral ingestion of Tanshinone IIA sulfonate capsules and Doxycycline Hydrochloride capsules. Topical use of Fusidic acid cream on the affected follicle areas can be combined with physical therapies, such as red and blue light exposure twice a week for three consecutive weeks, thus achieving anti-inflammatory effects and improving microcirculation. Folliculitis commonly occurs in oily skin types, therefore, it is advisable to consume more green vegetables and coarse fibers to regulate metabolism. (The use of medications should be carried out under the guidance of a physician.)
Symptoms of vulvar folliculitis
The symptoms of vulvar folliculitis generally manifest as redness, swelling, heat, and pain. When folliculitis occurs in the vulvar area, it can cause redness and swelling of the affected follicles, sometimes with a burning sensation, as well as pain in the area. If the inflammation is pronounced, the redness and swelling of the folliculitis can be severe, and pus formation may also occur. In such cases, it is necessary to puncture the pustules to drain the pus. The vulvar area has a rich supply of hair follicles and poor ventilation, making it susceptible to folliculitis. It is crucial to maintain good hygiene in the genital area.
How to treat folliculitis in the buttocks area?
Folliculitis in the buttocks should first avoid continued exposure to damp environments, keeping the area dry, and applying topical medications such as Rifan and potassium permanganate solution. Apply these topically twice a day, in the morning and evening, along with oral anti-inflammatory and antibacterial medication. Topical application of traditional Chinese medicine plasters, such as those promoting tissue regrowth and pus discharge, can also be used to break open and heal the pus-filled abscesses formed after folliculitis. Alternatively, using Western medicine approaches, after the acute inflammation and redness subside and significant abscesses form, incision and drainage can be performed. Both of these methods are viable, but avoid incisions and surgical treatments during the acute phase.
Is chicken skin keratosis pilaris?
Chicken skin, scientifically known as keratosis pilaris, is a chronic keratinizing skin disease of the hair follicles, not folliculitis. Keratosis pilaris has a high prevalence rate, often beginning in childhood and becoming significantly worse during adolescence. The condition may be related to genetics, vitamin A deficiency, and metabolic disorders. It commonly occurs on the upper arms, near the shoulders, and on the extensor sides of the thighs. Chicken skin appears as a distinctive rough texture on the skin, with follicular papules ranging from the size of a pinhead to a grain, matching the color of the skin, and not merging. Generally, this condition does not require treatment as it primarily affects only the aesthetic appearance of the skin. However, topical treatments such as tretinoin cream and urea cream can be used, and in severe cases, oral vitamin A, vitamin E, or retinoid medications may be prescribed. (Use medications under medical supervision.)