Folliculitis barbae is the term used for the infection caused due to inflammation of the hair follicles in the area of the beard.
Staphylococcus aureus is the bacteria that is responsible for many of the known skin infections, including folliculitis barbae. The infection often occurs in men after shaving. If the shaving equipment is contaminated and continually used, then a recurrence of the infection is highly likely. Bacteria may also inhabit the nose, so it is always worth checking for its presence.
Normally, the area affected is the upper part of the follicle, close to the skin. However, it can become a more deep seated infection, causing an inflammatory reaction from the immune system. This leads to redness and irritation in between the follicles, sometimes causing scarring. This is called sycosis barbae.
Folliculitis barbae results in extreme itchiness and tenderness. Around the beard area, red swellings, often tipped with yellow-headed spots called pustules, appear where the hairs exit from the skin. As the inflammatory reaction increases , the area of redness expands, which only serves to amplify irritation. In the case of sycosis barbae, pus can sometimes exude from the spots, causing even more discomfort.
Confirmation of folliculitis barbae may be achieved by taking pus samples to test for infection. Nasal swabs may also be used to ascertain whether bacteria from the nose is the problem. Very close examination of the skin is also necessary to differentiate between pseudofolliculitis (ingrowing hairs), and folliculitis barbae, although it is possible for both types to exist at the same time.
Typical folliculitis barbae treatment ranges from antibiotic tablets, cream applied to the skin, nasal antibiotics, steroid cream for chronic inflammation, to doctor prescribed anti-inflammatory antibiotics.
Natural folliculitis treatment, for all types including folliculitis barbae, are available if avoidance of antibiotics is preferred.
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