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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Can folliculitis patients eat eggs?

Folliculitis is a disease caused by inflammation and infection within the body, which is related to the patient's long-term consumption of spicy and stimulating food, staying up late, feeling anxious or stressed, and frequent visits to public baths. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that this condition is associated with internal damp-heat and toxic dampness. After the onset of folliculitis, eating chicken eggs generally has no impact, as eggs primarily contain protein and cholesterol, which do not affect folliculitis. However, it is essential to avoid spicy and stimulating foods, try not to stay up late, and regularly exercise to enhance immunity. Treatment can involve oral and topical anti-inflammatory medications. If some folliculitis lesions are particularly large, they can be disinfected locally and then punctured to drain the pus. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Li Ya Ping
Dermatology Department
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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 Liu Jing
Dermatology
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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.)

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Written by Liu Gang
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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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.