When hair follicles become inflamed and possibly infected, the resulting condition is generally known as folliculitis. It may involve just one hair follicle or more, and it may occur on any area of your body, according to MedlinePlus. Diagnosing folliculitis typically requires examining skin for signs of inflammation, or a laboratory test may be needed to determine a bacterial or fungal cause.
Types
Although there are numerous types of folliculitis based on the source of the inflammation or infection, the condition falls into two basic categories, according to the Mayo Clinic. Deep folliculitis affects entire hair follicles and surrounding skin at a deeper level of the skin, while superficial folliculitis affects the upper portion of hair follicles.
Examples of deep folliculitis include eosinophilic folliculitis in HIV patients, boils and carbuncles. Examples of superficial folliculitis include pseudomonas folliculitis, widely called hot tub folliculitis, common staphylococcal folliculitis and tinea barbae in men with beards.
Features
The features of folliculitis vary, depending on the type and infection involved, states the Mayo Clinic. Frequent signs of deep folliculitis include blisters filled with pus that eventually form a crust after breaking open, large bumps or areas of skin that are swollen, pain and potential scars when the folliculitis resolves. Superficial folliculitis may result in blisters containing pus similar to deep folliculitis and other less alarming symptoms, such as small groups of inflamed bumps around affected hair follicles and itchy, red or tender skin.
Causes
Hair follicles become inflamed when something damages them, according to MedlinePlus. Sources of damage include excess perspiration, inflammatory skin diseases like acne, skin injuries and substances that block the opening of hair follicles, including the oily sebum the skin's sebaceous glands produce and secrete naturally.
Removing hair, such as through shaving or waxing, can damage hair follicles also, as can items that rub against hair follicles and cause irritating friction, such as clothing. Folliculitis may then grow worse if infection follows the damage. Sources of infection range from the bacteria called staphylococcus aureus to the fungus that causes tinea barbae.
Treatment
The Mayo Clinic states mild folliculitis frequently clears up without treatment. However, more severe cases may require a doctor's intervention. Possible treatment options depend on the specific kind of inflammation or infection, but they may include using an oral or topical prescription medication, such as an antibiotic or antifungal drug, or having a healthcare professional drain problematic boils and carbuncles. Self-care measures usually include washing inflamed skin carefully to keep it clean and not shaving until the inflammation goes away.
Considerations
Even if removing hair--through shaving or tweezing, for example--does not damage hair follicles, folliculitis can still occur when hair grows back, according to DermNet NZ and the Mayo Clinic. The condition called ingrown hair occurs when growing hair enters the follicle itself or the skin instead of exiting the hair follicle properly.
Factors that make ingrown hair and subsequent folliculitis more likely include having curved follicles or very curly, tightly coiled hair. Since shaving improperly also increases the risk of ingrown hair and folliculitis, the Mayo Clinic suggests shaving the same way your hair grows, avoiding pulling skin taut as you shave and using a lubricant and sharp single-blade razor.
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