1. Adult Skin Problems Slideshow Pictures
2. Take the Skin Conditions Quiz
3. Gallery of Skin Problems Pictures

Medical Author:

Gary W. Cole, MD, FAAD

Gary W. Cole, MD, FAAD

Dr. Cole is board certified in dermatology. He obtained his BA degree in bacteriology, his MA degree in microbiology, and his MD at the University of California, Los Angeles. He trained in dermatology at the University of Oregon, where he completed his residency.

View Full Profile

Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

View Full Profile

In this Article

• Folliculitis facts
• What is folliculitis? What are folliculitis symptoms and signs? What does folliculitis look like?
• Who develops folliculitis?
• What are the causes of folliculitis?
• How is folliculitis diagnosed?
• What else could folliculitis look like?
• What are common types of folliculitis?
• What is hot tub folliculitis or Jacuzzi folliculitis?
• What is razor burn folliculitis?
• What is pseudofolliculitis barbae?
• Is folliculitis curable? Is folliculitis contagious?
• What are possible complications of folliculitis?
• How is folliculitis treated?
• What is the prognosis (outlook) with folliculitis?
• How do I prevent folliculitis?
• Patient Comments: Folliculitis - Diagnosis
• Patient Comments: Folliculitis - Describe Your Experience
• Find a local Dermatologist in your town
• Folliculitis Index

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 probably affects all humans to some extent at some time during 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.

Folliculitis can be caused by a large number of infectious organisms. Frequently folliculitis seems to be induced by irritating substances, environmental or anatomical defects, internal abnormalities and drugs. Differentiating these causes is very important if the physician is going to be able to treat the condition successfully.

The diagnosis of folliculitis is generally based on the appearance of the skin. In some situations, a microbial culture of the pus will help to detect a bacterial cause. It may be necessary to pull out some of the affected hairs and examine these microscopically using potassium hydroxide in order to detect fungal infections. Occasionally, a small skin biopsy may be used to help the doctor confirm the diagnosis. Infectious causes include bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Usually, no specific blood tests are needed in the diagnosis of common folliculitis.