Folliculitis

What is folliculitis?

A follicle is a small pouch from which hair grows. Folliculitis occurs when the hair follicle becomes inflamed or infected.

How does folliculitis affect the body?

If your child has folliculitis, they will develop many little red bumps where their body hair grows. Sometimes, these bumps may feel itchy or slightly painful and even produce pus. Other times, there are no symptoms.

When the folliculitis heals, the red bump is sometimes replaced by darker skin. This condition is called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

What causes folliculitis?

There are many causes for folliculitis, including:

• infections by Staphylococcus aureus or other bacteria, for example from water in hot tubs or swimming pools
• irritation from shaving, plucking or waxing hair (especially common among those with very curly hair)
• irritation from sporting equipment or tight clothing rubbing against the skin
• blockage of hair follicles by creams, oils or ointments
  

How is folliculitis diagnosed?

Your child’s health-care provider can often diagnose folliculitis simply by looking at your child’s skin and asking about your child’s symptoms and recent activities.

If your child’s skin seems to be very infected or there have been many episodes of folliculitis, your health-care provider may do a skin swab to see which bacteria may be causing infection.

How is folliculitis treated?

Treatment depends on the extent of the folliculitis and where it is located on the body. In most cases, folliculitis goes away on its own, especially if it is mild and limited to a small area.

When to see a health-care provider for folliculitis

See your child’s health-care provider if the folliculitis does not go away on its own. The health-care provider may suggest one or more of the following treatments.

• Warm compresses: Using a clean, warm, wet cloth over the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes three times a day
• Using antibacterial soaps and washes
• Avoiding any triggers of folliculitis (such as tight clothing)
• Avoiding any contaminated water (such as in a hot tub)

Your child’s health-care provider may recommend a topical antibiotic (an antibiotic for the skin) if:

• your child’s folliculitis is spreading
• your child's folliculitis does not improve on its own with time

Your child's health-care provider may recommend an oral antibiotic (an antibiotic taken by mouth) if:

• your child’s skin is red, tender or painful around the folliculitis
• your child develops a fever