Folliculitis Causes And Treatment

Folliculitis is a skin condition that can affect just about anywhere on the skin area, although it mostly  develops on the legs, chest and back. It appears as an inflammation of the skin following an infection of the hair follicles. Typically, this is caused by a form of fungus or bacteria, with the most common infection caused by Staphylococcus.

Many people think that folliculitis happens as a result of ill health or dirtiness, but this is untrue. In fact, it is possible for very fit and healthy people to suffer from the complaint. Although the cause is a fungal or bacterial infection, those people who shower often and consider themselves relatively clean, can still suffer. The clear conclusion that can be drawn from this fact is that cleanliness does not necessarily prevent folliculitis.

Although the condition is relatively minor, the overall reaction of sufferers is one of general discomfort, with the associated itching and scratching possibly leading to scarring if left untreated. Many sufferers have feelings of embarrassment and low self-esteem, aspects of the condition that should never be underestimated and should be handled with appropriate sympathy.

The traditional cause of folliculitis is some form of irritation of the hair follicles. Shaving or the wearing of tight clothing, which causes friction or uses abrasive action, are examples of sources of irritation that agitate the follicles, leading to infection and increased irritation. Heat can often aggravate the problem in some areas of the body such as the groin.

The typical diagnosis preocedure is a simple physical examination by a doctor. Folliculitis symptoms may result in an uncomfortable, itchy feeling, appearing as a rash or red spots. These spots can become very tender, becoming similar in appearance to pimples with white heads. In many cases, these will seep pus, crust over and form a yellow scab.

Standard folliculitis treatments will not totally eliminate the problem, but only tackle the symptoms in order to provide relief. The particular type of treatment given will depend on whether the infection is fungal folliculitis or bacterial folliculitis.

Prescription drugs commonly used, with good results, for bacterial folliculitis treatment include antibiotic ointments and creams that contain mupirocin or neomycin. Fungal folliculitis treatment will probably consist of an anti-fungal cream containing econozole nitrate. Other drugs can be taken orally, but the topical creams are usually preferred because they tend to provide quicker results.

A more general, tried and tested treatment may include the application of a warm, damp compress to soften the affected area which assists the drainage of the follicles. A topical antiseptic cream or treatment should also be applied in order to clean and purify the follicles.

However these are not the only folliculitis treatment options available. There are many instances of sufferers curing their condition for good, by choosing a more natural approach to their folliculitis treatment, eliminating the need for drugs.

Which would you prefer?

What Causes Folliculitis?

What causes folliculitis is the hair follicles being infected by viruses, fungi or bacteria. Staphylococcus Aureus bacteria is the most common cause of folliculitis.

The scalp is normally the area with the thickest coverage of follicles, but they can appear everywhere on the body except the mucous membranes such as the lips, the soles and palms. Damage inflicted upon the follicles makes them more susceptible to attack and infection.

This damage is most likely to be caused by events included within the following:

-Friction as a result of shaving or wearing tight clothing

-Extreme sweating

-Acne, dermatitis or similar skin inflammation conditions

-Skin injuries

-Dressings or plasters on your skin

Although just about anyone can contract folliculitis, the following conditions may make the likelihood even greater:

-Any medical circumstances that lower resistance to infection

-Already suffering from acne or dermatitis

-Skin trauma following injury or surgery

-Long standing antibiotic or topical corticosteroid treatment

-Obesity

-Wearing heat retaining clothing for long periods

-Contact with hot water, such as within a hot tub

Click here to discover an all natural folliculitis treatment

What Is Folliculitis?

What is folliculitis? Before dealing with the various folliculitis treatment options, perhaps it may be prudent to give an overview of just what folliculitis is.

Folliculitis is a skin complaint that can arise almost anywhere on the skin, although it appears most often on the legs ,chest and back. It displays as inflammation as a result of an infection of the hair follicles, usually caused by some form of bacteria or fungus. The most common infection comes from Staphylococcus.

Contrary to popular belief, folliculitis does not occur as a result of dirtiness or ill health. In fact, it is possible for the hale and hearty to suffer with this problem, and they frequently do. Those people that consider themselves relatively clean, perhaps showering frequently, can and still do, suffer, even though the cause is a fungal or bacterial infection. It can be concluded therefore, that staying clean does not guarantee prevention against folliculitis.

The condition is a comparatively minor ailment, scarcely even mildly serious and certainly not fatal. However, most sufferers agree that it can be extremely uncomfortable, with continual itching and scratching, which if left untreated, can lead to possible scarring. Many people will be seeking a folliculitis treatment to deal with the embarrassment and self esteem factors, the importance of which should not be underestimated or ignored.

Characteristically, some form of irritation of the hair follicles is the cause of folliculitis. Friction or coarse action , such as wearing tight clothing or shaving, are typical sources of irritation. A more infrequent cause could be in-growing hairs. The disturbance of the follicles leads to infection which eventually causes irritation. Heat can often hasten the inception of the problem, which explains why the groin, upper body and ankles are often affected.

A physical examination by a doctor or medical professional is the typical , and straightforward method of diagnosis. The resulting symptoms can give an extremely itchy feeling, appearing as a rash or many red spots. These spots can occasionally be very sensitive to the touch, and become pimple-like, with a white head. It is not uncommon for them to seep or ooze pus, or to harden forming a yellow scab.

The regular folliculitis treatment methods of today, as with most modern day medicine, do not totally eliminate the problem, but merely address the symptoms and provide some relief. The particular treatment offered will depend on whether the diagnosis confirms a fungal infection or a bacterial infection.

A more universal treatment may include the application of a warm, slightly damp compress to soften the area and assist with the drainage of the follicles. In order to clean and purify the follicles, a topical antiseptic cream or treatment should be applied.

Prescription drugs for bacterial folliculitis treatment may consist of antibiotic creams and ointments, usually containing mupirocin or neomycin. These are usually quite effective. Fungal folliculitis treatment will most likely take the form of an anti-fungal cream containing econzole nitrate. Although drugs such as dicloxacillin and fluconazole can be taken orally for the condition, topical creams are the preferred option.

Currently however, many sufferers are choosing to take a more holistic, natural approach to their folliculitis treatment.

Click here for an all natural folliculitis treatment that can cure your folliculitis for good!