If you’re experiencing red, inflamed bumps or itchy skin, you may be dealing with folliculitis.
Folliculitis is a common skin condition that can affect anyone, causing discomfort, pain and frustration. Dr Malay and his team specialise in providing effective folliculitis treatment, including laser treatment for folliculitis scars, so you can embrace clear, healthy skin once more.
What is folliculitis?
Folliculitis occurs when hair follicles become inflamed or infected due to bacteria, fungi or other irritants. There are many different types, however, in general folliculitis appears around hair follicles as clustered red bumps or white-head pimples, swollen, painful, and itchy bumps, or pus-filled blisters that pop and crust over.
This can not only be a source of pain and discomfort, but embarrassment for some people.If this is you, please contact the friendly team at Malay Mehta Aesthetic Clinic for help. We can tailor therapy to your unique needs, such as topical ointments, minor surgery or in extreme cases, laser hair removal.
What are the different
types of folliculitis?
The various types of folliculitis are classified according to the cause and the skin depth of the condition.
Superficial types:
- Staphylococcus aureus bacterial folliculitis: causes inflammation, and red, pus-filled bumps.
- Pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor bumps): are ingrown hairs that develop after shaving, usually in the beard and neck areas. They appear as raised, occasionally pus-filled, bumps.
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa (hot tub folliculitis): appears as itchy, round bumps, commonly occurring two days after exposure to bacteria found in a hot tub or heated pool that have not been adequately treated.
- Pityrosporum folliculitis (also known as malassezia folliculitis): is a yeast infection characterised by chronic pustules on the back and chest. It may also affect the shoulders, upper arms, neck and face.
Deeper types:
- Sycosis barbae: is a chronic bacterial infection in hair follicles around the beard area. It results in painful, pustule-filled bumps.
- Gram-negative folliculitis: can occur in people who have a history of long-term antibiotic use.
- Boils (furuncles): are painful, red lumps containing pus. They develop deeper in hair follicle as a result of a bacterial infection (staphylococcus).
- Carbuncles: are a cluster of boils, caused by a deeper bacterial infection (staphylococcus).
- Eosinophilic folliculitis: is characterised by patches of bumps or pimples on the face or upper body, usually only presents in people who have AIDS or are HIV positive.
What causes folliculitis?
This condition is caused by a bacteria known as staphylococcus aureus. However, it can be the result of fungal or viral infections and ingrown hairs.
What are the risk factors?
While anyone can suffer from this skin condition, there are several factors that increase your risk of developing folliculitis:
- If you wear tight-fitting clothing,
- Using a pool or hot tub that is poorly maintained (hot tub folliculitis),
- Direct damage to your hair follicles from waxing or shaving,
- Underlying health conditions (diabetes, AIDs, HIV),
- If you have acne or dermatitis,
- Certain medications like topical steroids of long-term antibiotics,
- Curly haired male shaving their beard area (pseudofolliculitis barbae).
Are there complications?
There are some potential complications if you do not receive proper treatment or management for your skin condition. These include:
- Recurrent or spreading skin infections,
- Scarring,
- Hyperpigmentation (darkened areas) or hypopigmentation (light areas) on your skin,
- Follicles are damaged,
- Permanent hair loss.
The signs and symptoms.
The signs and symptoms will vary depending on the type you have and what it’s caused by. In general, people will notice:
- Clusters of pimples or bumps around hair follicles.
- Blisters filled with pus (that may break open)
- Burning, itchy skin
- Tender or painful skin,
- Inflamed bumps
How is folliculitis diagnosed?
Dr Malay has a degree in dermatology. He is skilled at assessing your skin condition and identifying the cause of your discomfort. He will conduct a comprehensive skin examination and discuss your medical history to form an accurate diagnosis. If you have a pus-filled bump, or other symptoms of infection, he may take a small sample.
What is the folliculitis treatment?
Malay Mehta Aesthetic Clinic offers customised treatment options, tailored to the specific skin condition.
Medications.
For milder and superficial conditions of the skin, we can use topical creams, ointments or soaps. These medicated treatments can fight fungal and bacterial infections, and calm the inflammation.
Surgery.
In the case of large, numerous boils or carbuncles a minor surgery to drain pus may be required. This will prevent the infection from spreading and restore your follicles to good health.
Laser hair removal.
Laser hair removal is used in extreme or recurrent cases of the folliculitis. This destroys the hair follicle, removing the source or irritation and infection.
Laser treatment.
We also offer expert and professional laser treatment for scars. Scarring can occur as a complication, where there are multiple infections, or your condition has not been managed correctly.
Can you prevent folliculitis?
There are several things you can do to prevent this skin condition from occurring:
- Stop shaving (if possible),
- Improve your shaving routine with warm water, a gentle cleanser, new blades each time, shave in the direction of hair growth and end with a good-quality moisturiser.
- Avoid tight-fitting and non-breathable clothing,
- Avoid oily and comedogenic products that block hair follicles.
- Only use pools or hot tubs that have been thoroughly cleaned and maintained.
How much does folliculitis treatment cost in Mumbai?
The cost of folliculitis treatment in Mumbai will vary, depending on which type of treatment you need.
Minimally invasive treatments, such as medicated ointments will be cheaper than more invasive methods such as laser hair removal or minor surgery. However, the best option for therapy depends on the severity and type of folliculitis you have.
We recommend booking a consultation with Dr Malay, who can assess the condition of skin and determine the best course of treatment. Then we can provide you an accurate cost based on this personalised regime.
Why choose Dr Malay Mehta for your folliculitis treatment?
With a track record of providing successful skin treatments, Dr. Malay Mehta is a trusted choice for folliculitis treatment in Mumbai. Our compassionate team combines expertise and state-of-the-art technology to ensure you receive the best care possible.
If you’re dealing with folliculitis, you don’t have to face it alone. Reach out to us at Dr. Malay Mehta’s clinic in Mumbai to experience effective treatment and relief from your folliculitis symptoms. Your skin deserves the best care, and we’re here to provide it.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can find all the commonly asked questions about folliculitis below.
What’s the main cause of folliculitis?
The most common cause for this skin condition is the bacteria, staphylococcus aureus. This bacteria gets inside your hair follicles and causes inflammation and infection, leading to folliculitis.
What does folliculitis look like?
This condition changes appearance depending on what type and where it is located. Typically it will appear as clusters of red or white pus-filled bumps, like pimples, or larger bumps and always around hair follicles.
Is there risk factors for folliculitis?
You are more likely to get this condition if you:
- Wear too-tight clothing
- Shave or wax
- Shave with curly hair
- Spend time in a hot tub or pool that has not been cleaned or maintained properly
- Medical conditions such as AIDS or HIV.
How folliculitis is diagnosed.
A dermatologist will be able to identify the cause of symptoms by looking at the bumps, lumps or rash on your skin. To determine what it is caused by, they may take a small sample of the skin, or the pus or exudate from the hair follicle.
Will lasers get rid of folliculitis?
Laser hair removal can help manage your symptoms by removing the hair follicles. This reduces hair growth and inflammation, however a permanent cure is not always guaranteed.
How to get rid of folliculitis scars?
Laser treatment for scars has proven to be quite effective. Please speak to our friendly team today to discuss if this is an option for you to achieve clearer skin.
What is the fastest way to cure folliculitis?
The appropriate, and fastest, way to cure your skin condition depends on the type and severity. Consulting a dermatologist or other medical professional, for tailored advice is the best course of action for effective management.
How common is folliculitis?
It’s a relatively common skin condition, and affects people of all ages, gender and skin type.
Will folliculitis come back?
It can recur, especially if the underlying causes or risk factors are not addressed. Preventative measures, like avoiding tight clothing or hot tubs, can help reduce the likelihood of it coming back.
Do I need to see a dermatologist about folliculitis?
Dermatologists are skin experts, so if you have recurrent or persistent folliculitis, it is recommended to see them for proper diagnosis and tailored treatment. Dr Malay has a degree in dermatology and can assist with any of your skin concerns.
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