Hair follicle disease is an inflammation of the hair follicles. It is typically easy to diagnose and treat.
Hair follicle disease is a skin disease. Bacterial or fungal infection or irritation are the main causes. It can also be anywhere on the scalp
It causes painful swelling surrounding the hair. This disease often heals spontaneously or with a simple treatment. Hair follicle disease is a common skin disease. After the hair root is damaged due to friction or pressure, it occurs due to the growth of microorganisms in that area of inflammation. It occurs more easily in areas of skin folds, such as the neck and groin, and areas exposed to friction such as the beard area or genital organs.
Types of Hair Follicle Disease (Folliculitis)
Bacteria: This inflammation of the hair root usually occurs in a bacterial gel called Staphylococcus aureus. This infection is very deep also. In this case, the patient should pay attention to hygiene, using antiseptic cleaners, and taking oral antibiotics meanwhile.
Pond Folliculitis: Bacteria are the major cause of this infection as well. Besides, poorly chlorinated pools are the commonplaces of these bacteria
Yeast Fungi: Pityrosporum ovoid, also known as Malassezia, is the most common yeast fungus that causes folliculitis. Malassezia folliculitis is an acne-like itchy condition and usually affects the upper back, especially in young people. Moisturizers and antibiotics use should be stopped.
Fungi: Fungi on the scalp usually progress with scaling and hair loss, and rarely in folliculitis. Fungicides must be used in the treatment.
Irritation Due to Ingrown Hair
Ingrown hair is a condition that can be seen after shaving and waxing. No microbes can grow when cultured. It can occur in the beard area. Ingrown hair is common in women’s legs. It is usually itchy. Removal of the bristles should be stopped for a while.
Hair should be removed by one of the pulling methods for at least 3 months. The gentlest method for women is electric shavers. Also, laser epilation is very useful.
Formation and Symptoms of Hair Follicle Disease
The causes of hair follicle disease are skin irritation and infections. Any event that can irritate the skin, such as shaving, rubbing, skin injuries, and temperature changes, can lead to inflammation and therefore folliculitis.
Skin infections can also cause folliculitis. Staphylococcal bacteria and candida type fungi are also among the most common pathogenic agents. Any part of the body with the scalp (face, scalp, chest, back, arms, legs, buttocks), especially the scalp and trunk. Patients may experience itching, dryness, and sensitivity to the affected parts of the skin. Bacterial folliculitis can go deeper and cause boils.
What Makes Folliculitis Development Easier?
Folliculitis can occur in anyone. However, it is easier to develop folliculitis in some cases listed below:
- Hot and sweating
- Obesity
- Tightly covering the skin
- Shaving (especially close and irritating shaving)
- Tight clothing that causes friction and prevents sweat from evaporating
- The presence of some diseases that reduce the body’s resistance against infectious diseases (such as diabetes, leukemia)
- Presence of skin diseases such as puberty acne or eczema
- Damages that disrupt the integrity of the skin (abrasions, surgical site incisions.)
- Some long-term use of drugs (corticosteroids and antibiotics)
- A hot bath in an unclean tub
How Is Hair Follicle Disease Diagnosed?
Usually, a skin examination is sufficient to decide a diagnosis. Sometimes your doctor may want to do an examination called a culture antibiogram to understand the microorganism causing it and which drugs will be effective. For this purpose, samples are taken from the contents of the pus-filled vesicles.
How to Prevent Folliculitis Development?
- Do not wear tight clothing.
- Lose weight.
- Try not to be in hot and humid environments.
- If possible, do not shave. Not shaving may be an option, especially for male patients with an ingrown beard area. Wash Up your skin with warm water and antiseptic soap before trimming. Leave the shaving gel or foam on the skin for 5-10 minutes to soften the skin.
- With an electric shaver and razor, shave without stretching the skin. Use a sharp knife and wet the blade each time before touching the skin. Use a single blade razor. After trimming, rinse your skin with lukewarm water and use lotion.
- Do not share razors and towels.
- Pay attention to the cleanliness of saunas and tubs.
- Wash your bathrobes and towels every time you wash them and make sure they dry well.
- When applying medical treatments, apply it in the direction of hair growth.
- Do not cover the medication area with bandages or bandages.
- Wash your hands frequently.
Effects and Treatment of Hair Follicle Disease
This treatment depends on the cause of the disease. Antibiotics and antifungal drugs help to the treatment process. External antibiotics and antifungals can eliminate mild symptoms. Importantly, diseased areas should not be squeezed by the patient and the contents should not be emptied. This is very risky and can lead to the spread of microbes to the whole body and the formation of obvious scarring. Skin areas should be kept clean with cleansers to be applied gently.
Hair follicle disease is not a serious condition but requires treatment if the infection has spread. Symptoms of folliculitis include itchy skin and rash along with acne. Folliculitis is a disease that can heal spontaneously in the absence of additional disease or symptoms.
However, the presence of certain risk factors can cause the infection to enter the blood and cause serious consequences. If there are clinical symptoms such as swelling and pain around the hair and additional systemic findings such as high fever, low blood pressure, accelerated breathing, be examined by a dermatologist immediately.
