We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Folliculitis?

Malcolm Tatum
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 47,106
Share

Folliculitis is a condition that involves an infection of the hair follicles. Essentially, the infection can be caused by an introduction of bacteria or fungus to the skin around the hair follicle. In most cases, the condition requires little to no attention, and will clear up in a short period of time. However, recurring infections could lead to scarring and the development of what is known as deep folliculitis.

In most cases, folliculitis will appear as a small pimple around the base of the hair follicle. The pimple will have a white head, as it is filled with pus. In very mild cases, the use of soap and water will cause the pimple to fade and the body’s immune system will overcome the slight infection in a matter of days. With superficial types of this condition, there will not be any type of permanent damage to the skin.

Deep folliculitis is another matter. Along with the infection of the follicles that can be seen from the surface, there is also infection around the root of the follicle as well. The deeper inflammation often is accompanied by some degree of pain, and will cause the sufferer to want to scratch the infected area.

When folliculitis reaches this deeper stage, treatments other than simple hygiene become necessary. The first round of treatments may involve a topical cream or ointment containing agents designed to kill the bacteria or fungi present at the site of the inflammation. More severe cases may require the use of oral antibiotics that circulate through the bloodstream and attack the condition from inside the body.

In the worst cases, laser treatments may be necessary to stop the infection from spreading. The laser treatments will effectively kill the follicle and root, while at the same time killing the bacteria and helping to minimize the chances of any further scarring. Generally, new hair follicles will not grow in the treated area, making the hair loss permanent.

While the condition can appear anywhere on the body where hair follicles are present, men and women seem to experience the condition on the scalp more often than the legs or arms. In addition, men tend to experience mild folliculitis in the beard area of the face.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Malcolm Tatum
By Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing to become a full-time freelance writer. He has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGeek, and his work has also been featured in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and newspapers. When not writing, Malcolm enjoys collecting vinyl records, following minor league baseball, and cycling.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By donasmrs — On Oct 12, 2013

@turquoise-- There are different types of folliculitis but most are staph folliculitis. We normally carry staph bacteria on our skin and if the hair follicles are damaged, the bacteria can get in and cause an infection.

By bluedolphin — On Oct 12, 2013

@turquoise-- I don't think that folliculitis and acne are the same. Technically, an infected follicle is a boil, not a pimple.

However, I do know that people who have acne and who use acne treatments are prone to folliculitis.

My sister used antibiotics for a long time to treat acne. Soon after she developed folliculitis. Her doctor said that sometimes this happens after acne treatments.

By turquoise — On Oct 11, 2013

What percentage of pimples are usually folliculitis? Can we say that all pimples are caused by follicle infection?

I have a condition called keratosis pilaris where my skin produces too much keratin. The keratin basically limits natural exfoliation and causes dead skin cells to build up around my hair follicles.

I experience a lot of pimples and I'm suspecting that the underlying cause is folliculitis due to keratosis pilaris.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-folliculitis.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.