Symptoms

Symptoms of folliculitis may vary depending on the type and severity of the condition, but generally include:

small red bumps: a common feature that may be accompanied by pus in some cases
swelling: the affected area may become swollen due to follicle inflammation
itching or burning sensation: the condition is often associated with itching or discomfort in the affected region
skin peeling: in some forms of folliculitis, the skin around the affected area may peel

Causes

Folliculitis can be caused by various factors. The main ones include:

Folliculitis is usually diagnosed based on clinical evaluation of symptoms and the patient’s medical history. Common steps include:

physical examination: the healthcare provider examines the skin lesions, noting their appearance, distribution, and signs of infection
secretion analysis: if bacterial infection is suspected, a sample of pus or discharge may be collected and sent to a lab to identify the specific bacteria and guide treatment
blood tests: in some cases, especially if systemic infection is suspected, blood tests may be performed to assess signs of folliculitis
skin biopsy: in rare or complicated cases, a skin biopsy may be done to analyze a tissue sample and confirm the diagnosis

Treatment for folliculitis depends on the cause and severity of symptoms. Common approaches include:

skin care: avoiding irritating products like scented lotions or harsh shaving gels can help prevent recurrence
topical antibiotics: for bacterial folliculitis, antibiotic creams or lotions may be prescribed
oral antibiotics: in more severe cases or if the infection spreads, oral antibiotics may be necessary
laser treatment: may be considered to reduce inflammation and pigmentation associated with the condition

Preventing folliculitis involves practices that reduce the risk of infection:

maintain proper hygiene: clean the skin thoroughly, especially in areas more prone to folliculitis
avoid excessive shaving: refrain from shaving or waxing the same area repeatedly, as this can increase irritation
avoid irritating products: scented lotions or creams may irritate the skin and trigger folliculitis
protect the skin during sports: wear appropriate sportswear made of moisture-wicking fabrics