What is vulvar folliculitis?

Written by Li Lin
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on September 16, 2024
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All parts of the body have hair follicles, and inflammation of these follicles is called folliculitis. When folliculitis occurs in the pubic area, it is referred to as vulvar folliculitis. During mild cases of vulvar folliculitis, topical erythromycin ointment can be used, and keeping the vulvar area dry and clean generally results in improvement and healing. However, if the folliculitis is severe and topical medications are insufficient, oral antibiotics may be required for treatment. If a follicular abscess develops, surgical incision and drainage may be necessary.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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What causes folliculitis?

Folliculitis is a very common skin condition that most people have experienced. It is primarily caused by the infection of the hair follicles and the surrounding areas by bacteria, predominantly Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus. The scalp, due to its developed sebaceous glands and abundant hair, secretes a lot of oil and is particularly prone to bacterial growth, making it a common site for folliculitis. It is crucial to treat folliculitis with timely anti-infection measures.

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Dermatology
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Does folliculitis recur?

Folliculitis tends to recur frequently and is generally related to one’s diet and lifestyle habits. Long-term consumption of spicy and irritating foods, staying up late, and experiencing anxiety or stress can all lead to repeated episodes of folliculitis. Once this condition appears, it is essential to seek proper treatment. Treatment should be sought from a dermatology department at an established hospital, including oral and topical medications, and can be complemented with red light therapy. After treatment, it is crucial to avoid spicy and irritating foods, staying up late, and situations that may cause anxiety or stress for an extended period. It is also advisable to avoid public baths and swimming pools. For individual cases of folliculitis, if the lesion is relatively large, it can be disinfected with povidone-iodine, then lanced to clean out the pus and blood. Regular consumption of heat-clearing, anti-inflammatory traditional Chinese medications can also be beneficial. (Please follow a professional physician's guidance when using medications and do not self-medicate.)

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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.

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Dermatology
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Does folliculitis require surgery?

Folliculitis generally does not require surgery, and can be completely cured by commonly used oral and topical anti-inflammatory drugs. If individual folliculitis is particularly prominent and has some pustules, you can disinfect the area locally, then use a needle to break them open and clean out the pus and blood. Unless the folliculitis is large, especially those on the scalp, and chronic medication is ineffective and gradually worsening, surgery might be required. You can go to the dermatology department of a regular hospital for surgery to completely clean out the pus and blood. To prevent recurrence of this disease, avoid spicy and irritating foods, do not stay up late, strengthen exercise, sweat more, and bathe more frequently.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
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What are the symptoms of folliculitis?

Folliculitis is a common purulent inflammatory skin disease, usually caused by bacterial infection. The symptoms of folliculitis initially manifest as small red papules which, after several days or weeks, develop small pustules at the center with a surrounding erythema forming pustules. These dry out or rupture later to form yellow crusts. Generally, there are no scars left after the crust peels off.