Folliculitis

Folliculitis: symptoms, causes and treatment

Folliculitis is a purulent inflammation of the hair follicles, which is caused by microbes, mainly staphylococci. This disease most often develops against the background of skin contamination, minor injuries, abrasion, skin irritation when shaving and other factors. Folliculitis can also occur against the background of metabolic disorders and deficiency of vitamins A and C.

Symptoms of folliculitis depend on its form and severity. With superficial folliculitis, small nodules with a purulent head appear on the skin, which dry out after a few days to form a crust. With deep folliculitis, larger, painful, bright red cone-shaped formations form, which open with the release of pus.

If only the hair follicles on the face are affected and the inflammation is chronic, the disease is called sycosis.

Treatment for folliculitis depends on its form and severity. If single small pustules associated with hair appear, they can be treated with a 1% solution of brilliant green, methylene blue or Castellani liquid. However, if purulent nodules appear in large numbers or are large, you should consult a doctor.

It is important to remember that you should not wash the affected skin and squeeze out pustules, as this can lead to the spread of infectious agents; it is especially dangerous to squeeze out pustules on the face.

Prevention of folliculitis involves careful skin care. You should adhere to a diet limiting sweet, spicy and salty foods, and also consume more dairy and plant products, b