Gram-Negative Folliculitis

Gram-negative folliculitis is a severe type of inflammatory acne, which typically occurs after lengthy use of antibiotics as treatment for acne.

When this inflammatory acne outlasts the treatment or even becomes worse, the conditions are right for gram-negative folliculitis to arise. Following this resistance to antibiotic treatment, the body becomes immune to the antibiotics, eventually resulting in a form of acne, even more severe than the original attack. In fact, 4% of those people that develop inflammatory acne will end up with gram-negative folliculitis.

As mentioned, gram-negative folliculitis is caused by a bacterial infection that is resistant to antibiotics, and usually arises following a prolonged, unsuccessful course of antibiotic treatment for acne. When tests are carried out on these bacterial infections, samples are subjected to a process called gram staining. Most bacteria, such as the gram-positive facial bacteria flora, will stain blue in the test, but the bacteria responsible for gram-negative folliculitis does not. The use of certain antibiotics for a long time causes bacterial interference, effectively meaning that the gram-positive bacterial flora is replaced by gram-negative bacteria, which thrive in the nasal cavities and mucous membranes.

The following are some of the people who are more prone to developing gram-negative folliculitis:

-          those who have prolonged, unsuccessful antibiotic treatment for acne

-          people with severe seborrhoea

-          those with HIV/AIDS

-          acne rosacea sufferers

-          users of hot tubs or jacuzzis, contaminated with the pseudomonas bacteria

-          those with ear infections caused by pseudomonas bacteria

Gram-negative folliculitis is relatively rare, but it can cause considerable physical, emotional and self-esteem issues, but it does not have to be permanent. With the right treatment, this skin disorder can be beaten.

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How To Avoid Hot Tub Rash

This following article may just help you understand more about Hot Tub Folliculitis


How To Avoid Hot Tub Rash

There are a few kinds of hot tub itch and it is important to be able to differentiate between them. One is the mild irritation of the skin as a result of the drying effects of chemical sanitizer. People with light hair tend to be more sensitive to dry skin as a result of using hot tubs and spas. This is not a serious condition and using a moisturizer should help to resolve the problem.

Follicular dermatitis, or infection of the hair follicle, is a more severe hot tub related skin problem. This is a result of the hair follicle becoming infected. There are a few reasons why this could happen.

If there is no chemical sanitizer in the water, which is to say no bromine or chlorine in the water, then this would allow bacteria levels to grow exponentially in a very short period of time. Getting into the water during this period of time would expose you to a huge amount of bacteria. Depending on how long the water has been without sanitizer the type of bacteria in the water can be hazardous. It is not unheard of for bacteria to become so dangerous that it can be life-threatening in extreme situations. This is why it is critically important to maintain a measurable sanitizer level in the water at all times. If the water does not have one part per million of free chlorine or 2 ppm of bromine then it is not safe to use.

If you suspect that you have follicular dermatitis, or hot tub rash, you must to seek professional medical advice. Many forms of this skin bacteria infection will not clear up on its own without the use of a topical or antibiotic treatment. The symptoms may disappear for a period of time. However they are likely to return should you aggravate your skin again, for example by using the spa.

It is possible that you can develop spa itch from bacteria even with sanitizer in the water. This can happen if there is a persistent biofilm growing in the water. This would be common in hot tubs where the plumbing lines do not to get flushed when the water is changed. Line flush, or pipe flushing, is an important part of hot tub maintenance. If you are skipping this part of your hot tub care then you could be exposing yourself to unhealthy and unnecessary levels of bacteria.

Biofilm grows inside the plumbing lines of the hot tub. The biofilm creates a layer of mechanical protection over bacteria in the plumbing lines preventing chemical sanitizer in the water from reaching, and destroy this bacteria. The motion of the water moving through the plumbing lines can sometimes peel some of this biofilm away, however to actually clean it you must use a pipe flush chemical additive in the water. This is usually accomplished by adding a liquid additive to the old hot tub water before you drain. You would then run all of your jets on maximum with this chemical in the water and it will remove the biofilm. In a hot tub that has not received this pipe flush treatment in a long time you will notice a thick layer of black foam and debris on top of the water. This disgusting mess is what was growing in your plumbing lines. Do not skip the pipe flush step and your spa maintenance and you will drastically reduce the likelihood of you getting follicular dermatitis or hot tub rash.

Steve Goodale a swimming pool expert and owner of Green Pools in Toronto Ontario Canada. He is the author of http://www.poolwater.ca and http://www.spawater.ca which are a series of home owners resources for swimming pool and hot tub water chemistry, care, and chemical balancing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Avoid-Hot-Tub-Rash&id=6700230


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Treatment For Folliculitis

An overview of folliculitis treatment options






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What Is Hot Tub Folliculitis?

Hot Tub Folliculitis is the term given to the infection of hair follicles caused by the bacteria known as Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. As this bacteria frequents and thrives in warm and wet environments, hot tubs, pools and bath tubs are prime locations for its propagation and abundance, unless precautions are put in place.

Pseudomonas Aeruginosa multiplies extremely quickly if the correct conditions exist, thus greatly increasing the risk of infection. In the cases of pools and hot tubs, the odds of infection increase considerably due to the wearing of swimsuits, which hold infected water against the skin for longer periods.

Within 2 weeks of being in contact with the bacteria, hot tub folliculitis symptoms will materialize. Initially, inflammation of the hair follicles occurs, showing up as itchy bumps, sometimes pus-filled. These bumps form at the centre of small red papules, which can be approximately 3 centimetres in diameter. Ultimately, these bumps may become very tender and dark red nodules, and in some cases may even show as brownish in colour.

In rarer instances, during the initial few days of the rash, fatigue and tiredness may be experienced, but fever is exceedingly unusual. People whose immune system response is low, may in rare instances develop skin abscesses. The rash that develops normally vanishes within a week to ten days, leaving behind dark lesions that will ultimately disappear after several months.

Due to the shared environments that are associated with the onset of this condition, such as hot tubs and pools, it is not unusual to see entire families being affected by hot tub folliculitis at the same time.

Treatment of hot tub folliculitis may not be necessary at all, as it usually subsides and disappears by itself. Nevertheless, due to uncomfortable itchiness, creams and ointments may be used, and in more severe, persistent widespread attacks, antibiotics may be prescribed.

Obviously, prevention is better than cure! As the culprit is familiar and easily identified, prevention is relatively easy to achieve. The best method of prevention is to maintain the correct and safe levels of disinfectant in the water. Water should be changed frequently, along with high-quality cleaning of the bath tub and continuous water filtration.

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Superficial Folliculitis

There are various forms of superficial folliculitis, which include the following:

Staphylococcal Folliculitis

This is a very common type which can be identified by very itchy, white bumps that are filled with pus, appearing anywhere on the body where hair follicles are situated. It is caused by hair follicles becoming infected by the Staphylococcus Aureus bacteria, commonly called staph. Even though staph bacteria are present permanently on the skin, it only presents a problem on entering the body via a wound or a cut. For example, this could occur whilst shaving or through a simple scratch.

Pseudomonas Folliculitis

This type is often referred to as Hot Tub Folliculitis. 

The cause of this form of folliculitis is the pseudomonas bacteria, which prospers in many different surroundings, including hot tubs in which the regulation of chlorine and  pH levels is lacking. Many red, itchy bumps can appear any time up to five days following exposure to the bacteria. These can very quickly develop into pustules, which are small pus-laden blisters. The rash can often be found to be worse in the areas where swimwear retains the contaminated water close to the skin.

Pseudofolliculitis Barbae

This affects men in the area of the beard, following shaving, when shaved hairs curve back into the skin, leading to inflammation. An unpleasant end result can be the formation of dark scars on the face and neck, usually known as keloid scars.

Pityrosporum Folliculitis

This type occurs as a result of a yeast infection, producing long-lasting, red and itchy pustules on the chest and back, and in some cases on the neck and face. This is particularly prevalent in teens and adult men.