What is Folliculitis?

Folliculitis is an infection causing inflammation of the hair follicles. It is a common skin disorder and can happen to anyone immaterial of the persons sex or age.

Folliculitis typically appears as a white or red eruption of the skin that surrounds a hair follicle. When many of the hair follicles are infected it appears as a white or red rash of the skin.

The most likely places for folliculitis to appear are the arms, armpits, legs, or the scalp. Men who shave could develop folliculitis on the face.

Causes of Folliculitis

Every hair in our bodies grows from a follicle. Even though they are most dense on the scalp, they are spread across the entire body except the palms and soles. Each follicle is attached to a muscle above which are sebaceous glands that produce sebum (an oil) to lubricate the skin and hair shaft.

It is when the follicles get blocked or damaged that they are prone to attacks from bacteria, viruses and fungus which can lead to infections such as folliculitis.

Folliculitis causes could be due to one or more of the following:

• Excess perspiration that dries on the skin and blocks the follicles for long periods of time

• Various inflammatory skin conditions such as acne or dermatitis

• Abrasions or wounds to the skin

• Excess friction while shaving (usually if shaving with a blunt blade)

• Friction from tight clothing that irritate the skin

Preventing  Folliculitis

How to help prevent Folliculitis