What medicine should be applied for folliculitis?

Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
Updated on September 10, 2024
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Folliculitis is a disease caused by an inflammatory infection, generally associated with excessive secretion from the sebaceous glands, frequent consumption of spicy and irritating foods, or staying up late. It commonly affects the scalp, face, or buttocks. For treatment, topical antibiotics can be applied, and taking oral anti-inflammatory medications may also be appropriate. If individual follicles are particularly painful and swollen, they can be disinfected and lanced with a needle to drain the pus and blood. This condition has a high recurrence rate, so after recovery, it is important to avoid spicy and irritating foods, refrain from staying up late, engage in regular exercise, avoid public baths, and minimize exposure to infectious bacteria.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Does folliculitis hurt?

Folliculitis is usually associated with excessive sebum secretion by one's own glands, consumption of spicy and irritating foods, or frequent staying up late, leading to inflammatory hyperplasia on the skin surface. Generally, these are relatively small and the symptoms are mild. There is a feeling of pain when pressed by hand. However, some cases of folliculitis are severe and may resemble large abscesses, especially on the scalp where the pain can be more intense, particularly when touching or squeezing with hands. Once folliculitis occurs, it is best to treat it with oral and topical anti-inflammatory drugs. It is important to avoid spicy and irritating foods and not to stay up late. If an individual follicle becomes significantly enlarged, it is advisable to seek surgical excision and drainage at a dermatology department of a formal hospital.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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How to treat folliculitis scabs?

When scabbing occurs in folliculitis, it generally indicates that the follicle has almost completely healed, and no special treatment is necessary. However, some cases of folliculitis, especially severe ones, may still have underlying inflammation despite the surface being covered with a scab. In such cases, you can disinfect with iodine and then remove the scab to further clean out any pus or blood underneath. Generally speaking, folliculitis is relatively easy to treat with oral and topical anti-inflammatory medications. In severe cases, lancing or surgically opening the follicle to drain pus might be necessary. After recovery, it is important to regulate one's diet and lifestyle habits, avoid spicy and irritating foods, and not stay up late.

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Written by Yan Qiao
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Causes of Female Vulvar Folliculitis

The occurrence of vulvar folliculitis in women has many causes. The main reason might be related to wearing overly tight underwear and skinny jeans, as well as garments made from non-breathable materials. It could also be related to hot weather conditions where women's skin tends to be more moist and prone to sweating. Another possible cause is poor genital hygiene, which is a likely factor. Additionally, it could be associated with sexual partners, hence it is necessary to identify the specific causes and investigate them one by one.

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Written by He Da Wei
Dermatology
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Is chicken skin keratosis pilaris?

Chicken skin, scientifically known as keratosis pilaris, is a chronic keratinizing skin disease of the hair follicles, not folliculitis. Keratosis pilaris has a high prevalence rate, often beginning in childhood and becoming significantly worse during adolescence. The condition may be related to genetics, vitamin A deficiency, and metabolic disorders. It commonly occurs on the upper arms, near the shoulders, and on the extensor sides of the thighs. Chicken skin appears as a distinctive rough texture on the skin, with follicular papules ranging from the size of a pinhead to a grain, matching the color of the skin, and not merging. Generally, this condition does not require treatment as it primarily affects only the aesthetic appearance of the skin. However, topical treatments such as tretinoin cream and urea cream can be used, and in severe cases, oral vitamin A, vitamin E, or retinoid medications may be prescribed. (Use medications under medical supervision.)

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Does folliculitis recur?

Folliculitis tends to recur frequently and is generally related to one’s diet and lifestyle habits. Long-term consumption of spicy and irritating foods, staying up late, and experiencing anxiety or stress can all lead to repeated episodes of folliculitis. Once this condition appears, it is essential to seek proper treatment. Treatment should be sought from a dermatology department at an established hospital, including oral and topical medications, and can be complemented with red light therapy. After treatment, it is crucial to avoid spicy and irritating foods, staying up late, and situations that may cause anxiety or stress for an extended period. It is also advisable to avoid public baths and swimming pools. For individual cases of folliculitis, if the lesion is relatively large, it can be disinfected with povidone-iodine, then lanced to clean out the pus and blood. Regular consumption of heat-clearing, anti-inflammatory traditional Chinese medications can also be beneficial. (Please follow a professional physician's guidance when using medications and do not self-medicate.)