What Is Folliculitis?
Are you experiencing red, inflamed, sore, pus filled lumps around your hair follicles?
You are likely suffering from folliculitis, a common condition caused by infection or occlusion of the hair follicles.
Folliculitis is a painful and mentally distressing condition, and can negatively impact your self esteem. Fortunately, there are options to minimise this psychological impact and improve your symptoms. If you are suffering from folliculitis, you can seek folliculitis treatment in Mumbai from the Malay Mehta Aesthetic Clinic. We offer services such as prescription of topical ointments, minor surgery for large boils or carbuncles, or in extreme cases, laser hair removal. Book a consult online or call +91-7045291747 to start your treatment journey today.
Folliculitis refers to inflamed hair follicles, and may result from a number of causes. There are a number of types of folliculitis that are categorised based on their cause and depth in the skin. The most common type of folliculitis is caused by bacterial infection by Staphylococcus aureus, which gets trapped inside a hair follicle and causes inflammation. This results in small red bumps on your skin, which are commonly pus-filled.
Folliculitis Symptoms
Folliculitis is a common skin condition caused primarily by bacterial or fungal infections. Symptoms of folliculitis include clustered red bumps or white-head pimples surrounding hair follicles, swollen, painful, and itchy bumps in the skin, and pus-filled blisters that pop and crust over. Acne like breakouts could be folliculitis, and this condition can affect anyone at any time.
Types of Folliculitis
Folliculitis can present in a number of ways, and it is important to distinguish them to determine appropriate treatment. Folliculitis is broken down into two broad categories, superficial and deep, and each of these are further broken down into specific types.
Superficial folliculitis
Superficial folliculitis involves part of the hair follicle, and is further broken down into four categories:
- Bacterial folliculitis is a common type that is characterised by itchy, pus-filled white bumps in the skin, occurring due to bacterial infection of the hair follicle itself. This is usually due to Staphylococcus aureus.
- Hot tub folliculitis (pseudomonas folliculitis) is characterised by a rash of itchy, red, round bumps up to two days after exposure to the pseudomonas bacteria. This type of bacteria is commonly found in hot tubs and heated pools where the chlorine and pH levels are not well-controlled.
- Razor bumps (pseudofolliculitis barbae) is characterised by raised, sometimes pus-filled bumps caused by ingrown hairs. It is most noticeable in the face and neck areas, and very commonly affects men who shave too close in these areas. Keloids (dark raised scars) may result.
- Pityrosporum folliculitis is characterised by chronic pustules on the back and chest and is caused by a yeast infection. The pustules are typically red and itchy and may also present on the shoulders, upper arms, neck and face in some cases.
Deep folliculitis
Deep folliculitis involves the whole hair follicle, and is also broken down into four categories:
- Sycosis barbae typically affects males in their early stages of shaving.
- Gram-negative folliculitis can sometimes appear in patients receiving long-term antibiotic treatment for acne.
- Boils (furuncles) and carbuncles typically occur when Staphylococcus aureus bacteria spreads deep into the hair follicle. Boils appear quickly as red bumps. Carbuncles are clusters of boils.
- Eosinophilic folliculitis mainly presents in people who are HIV positive or living with AIDS. This type of deep folliculitis is characterised by patches of bumps/pimples forming around hair follicles primarily in the face or upper body. This condition may lead to hyperpigmentation after healing, and the cause remains unknown.
Folliculitis Causes and Risk Factors
The most common cause of folliculitis is bacterial infection with Staphylococcus aureus, but can also result from viral infection, fungal infection, or ingrown hairs. While anyone can get folliculitis, there are certain risk factors that increase your susceptibility.
These include underlying conditions impacting your resistance to infection (diabetes, HIV), existing acne or dermatitis, some medications (steroid creams, long-term antibiotics), being a curly-haired male who shaves their beard area, wearing tight-fitted clothing (e.g. rubber gloves, high boots), sitting in a hot tub that is poorly maintained, and directly damaging hair follicles by shaving or waxing.
What does folliculitis look like?
Folliculitis appears in the skin as red, pus-filled bumps surrounding hair follicles. It can affect any part of the body where hair grows. The bumps can be raised and painful, and if they burst, they will likely crust over.
Folliculitis Diagnosis
Your doctor can diagnose folliculitis by looking at your skin and discussing your medical history. Many cases of folliculitis will resolve on their own, however you should seek treatment if your symptoms do not resolve after a few days or are widespread.
A man inspects his scalp for signs of folliculitis.
Folliculitis Treatments
Treatment for hair folliculitis Mumbai includes topical application of medicated creams to the skin in the affected area to clear the infection. If the patient has large and numerous boils or carbuncles, treatment options include minor surgery to drain the pus and prevent subsequent hair follicle infection. In very extreme or recurrent cases, hair follicle treatment in Mumbai involves laser hair removal to destroy the hair follicle and thus prevent irritation.
Folliculitis Prevention
There are a number of steps you can take to prevent folliculitis from occurring. As shaving is a huge contributor to folliculitis development, it can be helpful to stop shaving. This is not feasible for everyone, however, so taking steps to improve your shaving routine can help. Use warm water and a gentle cleanser to wash your skin before shaving, and apply a shaving cream to soften the hair. Use a new blade each time, and do not share with other people. Shave in the direction of hair growth and rinse the skin carefully with warm water. Follow up with a moisturising lotion.
Further, avoid wearing tight-fitted and non-breatheable clothing like rubber gloves or faux leather boots. Also avoid comodegenic products like oils as these can block hair follicles and trap bacteria, leading to folliculitis. Only sit in well-maintained hot tubs, and maintain good hand hygiene.
How Much Does Folliculitis Treatment Cost in Mumbai?
Folliculitis treatment in Mumbai will vary depending on the type of treatment required. Minimally invasive treatments such as prescription topical ointments will be cheaper than more invasive treatments such as minor surgery or laser hair removal. The best treatment option for you will depend on the severity of your condition.
We recommend booking a consult with us at Malay Mehta Aesthetic Clinic to determine the cost of your personalised treatment regime.
How can Dr Mehta help with Folliculitis Treatment?
Dr Mehta offers a wealth of knowledge and experience in a variety of dermatological treatments. For mild to moderate cases of folliculitis, he can prescribe topical anti-biotics or anti-fungal creams that you rub into the affected area to treat hair follicle infection in Mumbai.
For moderate to extreme cases, Dr. Mehta can perform minor surgeries to drain the boils or carbuncles and effectively dress the area to prevent infection. In very extreme or recurrent cases, Dr. Mehta can perform laser hair removal to prevent hair growth and thus prevent folliculitis from reoccuring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Folliculitis is a common condition affecting the hair follicles anywhere on the body. Find the answers to frequently asked questions below:
Scalp folliculitis in Mumbai is a common condition triggered primarily by bacterial infection of Staphylococcus aureus. Other causes of hair folliculitis in Mumbai include fungal or viral infections or ingrown hairs. Folliculitis occurs when the hair follicle becomes inflamed, leading to small, red, pus-filled bumps on the head and on the skin.
There is no immediate cure for folliculitis, and the best treatment option will depend on the severity of your condition. Book an appointment with Dr. Mehta today to discuss your personalised treatment plan for hair folliculitis treatment in Mumbai.
Follliculitis can reoccur after it has healed. It is important that you take preventative measures to prevent folliculitis from coming back.
Folliculitis can be exacerbated by stress, due to hormonal imbalances leading to sebum production and blocked hair follicles. Manage your stress to reduce folliculitis symptoms.
Persistent symptoms can be a sign of a chronic type of folliculitis that may not respond to antibiotics. See your doctor if this is the case.
Recurrent folliculitis can be a sign of repeated bacterial infection, and may suggest you are a carrier of Staphylococcus aureus. You will likely need nasal and skin swabs to confirm, followed by a specific round of treatment.
No, you should not pop folliculitis bumps. This can lead to scarring.
Most cases of folliculitis will heal by themselves within two weeks. If your symptoms are persisting longer than this, you can make an appointment to see your doctor about treatment.
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