Folliculitis
Medical Author: Nili N. Alai, MD, FAAD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
How to Avoid Hot Tub Rash
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor:
William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
 Hot tub rash is an infection of the skin (dermatitis) or
of the hair follicles in the skin (folliculitis) acquired from contact with
contaminated water. The infection occurs most commonly after swimming in hot tubs or spas,
but contaminated swimming pools or lakes may also spread the infection.
Most cases of hot tub rash are caused by the bacterium
Pseudomonas
aeruginosa, an organism abundant in
nature and found in soil, water, and on plants. Hot tub rash usually begins with
itchy skin or itchy bumps on the skin,
which progress to form tender red nodules that may contain pus. Pus-containing
sores are also commonly present around hair follicles. The rash
is often worse
under the areas of skin covered by a swimsuit, since the swimsuit can keep the
contaminated water in contact with the skin for a longer period of time. Hot tub
rash appears within two days after contact with contaminated water.
Top Searched Folliculitis Terms
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What is folliculitis? What are folliculitis symptoms? What does folliculitis look like?
Folliculitis is a common skin condition that appears as numerous small red or
pink little bumps at hair follicles. It can cause a "chicken
skin" appearance on the skin. Folliculitis can affect any part of the skin,
including the chest, back, arms, legs, buttocks, and cheeks. Often, 10-100 very small, slightly smooth
bumps are scattered in a body area like the back. Some of the bumps may be
slightly red or have an accompanying light-red halo indicating inflammation. Sometimes, scratching off the top reveals a small trapped or coiled hair within. Acne whiteheads, called milia, may also be in the same areas as
folliculitis. Although folliculitis is
primarily a skin condition of teenagers and younger adults, it is also
seen in all ages.
In general, folliculitis is often cosmetically displeasing and otherwise
medically harmless. Many cases of folliculitis may resolve spontaneously without
any treatment. Folliculitis frequently affects otherwise healthy people.
Treatment may typically include one or a combination of antibacterial washes,
antibiotic creams or lotions, and antibiotic pills.
Who develops folliculitis?
Anyone can develop folliculitis wherever hair follicles are present on the
body. The lesions in folliculitis most frequently involve the chest, back, and
legs. Other common locations include the face, neck, thighs and buttocks.
Although possible, it is rare to have it widespread all over the body. It does
not affect the eyes, mouth, palms, or soles, where there are no hair follicles. Folliculitis is estimated to affect more 10%-20% of people at some point
in their lives.
Certain groups of people are more prone to develop folliculitis. People with
diabetes and those with a compromised immune system (such as from HIV/AIDS,
hepatitis, chronic illnesses, cancer, systemic chemotherapy, immune-suppressing
drugs) may be more prone to develop folliculitis.
Next: What is the prognosis (outlook) with folliculitis? »
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Folliculitis
Scars »
How does scarring happen?
Scar formation is a natural part of the healing process after injury.
Various factors influence how your skin scars. Of course, the depth and size
of the wound or incision and the location of the injury are going to impact the
scar's characteristics. But your age, heredity, even your sex or ethnicity,
will all affect how your skin reacts.
What are the types of scars?
These are several different types of scars including:
- Keloid scars.
These scars are the result of an overly aggressive
healing process. These scars extend beyond the original injury. Over time, a
keloid scar may affect mobility. Possible treatments include surgical removal,
or injections with steroids. Smaller keloids can be treated using cryotherapy
(freezing therapy using liquid nitrogen). You can also prevent keloid formation
by using pressure treatment or gel pads with silicone when you sustain...
Read the Scars article »
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