How to treat folliculitis scabs?

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on September 04, 2024
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When scabbing occurs in folliculitis, it generally indicates that the follicle has almost completely healed, and no special treatment is necessary. However, some cases of folliculitis, especially severe ones, may still have underlying inflammation despite the surface being covered with a scab. In such cases, you can disinfect with iodine and then remove the scab to further clean out any pus or blood underneath. Generally speaking, folliculitis is relatively easy to treat with oral and topical anti-inflammatory medications. In severe cases, lancing or surgically opening the follicle to drain pus might be necessary. After recovery, it is important to regulate one's diet and lifestyle habits, avoid spicy and irritating foods, and not stay up late.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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What medicine should be applied for folliculitis?

Folliculitis is a disease caused by an inflammatory infection, generally associated with excessive secretion from the sebaceous glands, frequent consumption of spicy and irritating foods, or staying up late. It commonly affects the scalp, face, or buttocks. For treatment, topical antibiotics can be applied, and taking oral anti-inflammatory medications may also be appropriate. If individual follicles are particularly painful and swollen, they can be disinfected and lanced with a needle to drain the pus and blood. This condition has a high recurrence rate, so after recovery, it is important to avoid spicy and irritating foods, refrain from staying up late, engage in regular exercise, avoid public baths, and minimize exposure to infectious bacteria.

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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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Written by Xia Min
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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What should not be eaten with folliculitis due to lung heat?

In clinical practice, dietary restrictions for folliculitis due to lung heat typically include avoiding or reducing the intake of spicy, greasy, and cold foods. The so-called spicy foods refer to hot pots, barbecues, and dry pots, especially those containing cumin, chili, and Sichuan pepper. These aromatic and spicy foods should not be consumed. What are cold foods? Examples include ice cream and popsicles, as these can transform dampness into heat, thus such cold foods should also be avoided. Greasy foods include rich oil-based soups or broths, which are also not suitable for consumption during folliculitis.

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Written by Li Lin
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What is vulvar folliculitis?

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 Liu Gang
Dermatology
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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.