Folliculitis

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Medical Author:

Gary W. Cole, MD, FAAD

Gary W. Cole, MD, FAAD

Dr. Cole is board certified in dermatology. He obtained his BA degree in bacteriology, his MA degree in microbiology, and his MD at the University of California, Los Angeles. He trained in dermatology at the University of Oregon, where he completed his residency.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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• Folliculitis Facts
• Folliculitis Causes
• Folliculitis Risk Factors
• Folliculitis Symptoms and Signs
• When to Seek Medical Care
• Folliculitis Diagnosis
• Folliculitis Treatment
• Folliulitis Self-Care At Home
• Folliculitis Prevention
• Folliculitis Prognosis
• Synonyms and Keywords
• Author and Editor

• Folliculitis is an inflammation of the hair follicles and the immediate surrounding tissue. The hair follicle is the growth area in the skin for a hair.
• It only occurs on skin with hair.
• There are many causes of folliculitis.
• Exposure to infectious bacteria, immune system suppression, and occupational exposures can predispose to folliculitis.
• Redness swelling and pustule formation at the site of the hair follicle opening are required for diagnosis of folliculitis.
• Serious folliculitis requires a visit to the doctor.
• Treatment of folliculitis requires investigation of the cause.
• Complete recovery from folliculitis is the rule.

There are two basic categories of cause of folliculitis, infections and all other causes. Infections by bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus for example), fungi (yeasts and dermatophytes), viruses (herpes simplex), and parasites (Demodex mites) can cause folliculitis. Noninfectious causes of folliculitis include topical irritants (insoluble cutting oils are an example), physical irritants (hair extraction), certain drugs, teenage pimples (acne vulgaris), and certain auto-inflammatory conditions (folliculitis decalvans).