What should be paid attention to for folliculitis?

Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

Updated on September 18, 2024

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Folliculitis is a common skin disease. After contracting folliculitis, it is important to avoid scratching the affected skin, and to keep the skin clean and hygienic. In terms of diet, do not eat spicy and irritating foods, such as onions, ginger, garlic, as well as tobacco and alcohol. After contracting folliculitis, it is essential to promptly use antibacterial and anti-inflammatory medications for treatment, and to keep the skin clean and dry.

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Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

32sec

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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.

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Written by Li Ya Ping

Dermatology Department

58sec

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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.)

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Written by Li Li Jie

Obstetrics and Gynecology

43sec

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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.

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Written by Liu Gang

Dermatology

54sec

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Does folliculitis hurt?

Folliculitis is usually associated with excessive sebum secretion by one's own glands, consumption of spicy and irritating foods, or frequent staying up late, leading to inflammatory hyperplasia on the skin surface. Generally, these are relatively small and the symptoms are mild. There is a feeling of pain when pressed by hand. However, some cases of folliculitis are severe and may resemble large abscesses, especially on the scalp where the pain can be more intense, particularly when touching or squeezing with hands. Once folliculitis occurs, it is best to treat it with oral and topical anti-inflammatory drugs. It is important to avoid spicy and irritating foods and not to stay up late. If an individual follicle becomes significantly enlarged, it is advisable to seek surgical excision and drainage at a dermatology department of a formal hospital.

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Written by Liu Gang

Dermatology

57sec

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How is folliculitis considered cured?

After treatment for folliculitis, if the affected area feels completely flat when touched by hand, without any protruding or proliferative hard nodules, or red bumps, and lacks any pustule-like papules, it is generally considered to be healed. However, even though the condition has healed, it cannot be completely eradicated and there is still a risk of recurrence. It is crucial to avoid spicy and irritating foods long-term, try not to stay up late, engage in regular exercise, sweat more, bathe more frequently, and avoid soaking in public baths or swimming to reduce the possibility of bacterial infections. Also, avoid consuming spicy, greasy, or sweet foods as they can increase internal heat and dampness in the body, potentially exacerbating folliculitis. Therefore, once this condition occurs, it is essential to undergo standardized treatment.