Folliculitis (cont.)
What is razor burn folliculitis?
Razor-burn folliculitis is very common on women's legs and is caused by shaving. It
may also be seen on the faces and necks of men. Typically, repeated tiny cuts
caused by the razor on the skin often create small openings. The minute openings
may then allow bacteria to enter the skin and invade the deeper hair follicles.
Additionally, excessively close shaving may cause trapping of small hairs
beneath the skin surface, causing more inflammation.
Treatment involves stopping shaving with a razor for a few days to a few weeks and
using antibacterial washes and topical antibiotics. Additional treatments
include laser hair removal, electrolysis, electric razors, or cream depilatories
like Neet or Nair.
What is pseudofolliculitis barbae?
Pseudofolliculitis barbae is a very common ingrown hair condition on the
beard area (lower face and neck) of men. Typically, there are groups of five to 40
small red bumps on the beard area that may flare with repeat shaving. Pseudofolliculitis tends to be worse in darker skin or African skin. The repeat
tiny cuts caused by overly close shaving create possible ingrown or trapped
hairs. These trapped hairs may cause irritation and inflammation at the hair
follicles. Generally, this condition is not caused by bacteria.
Treatment goals include avoiding overly aggressive shaving, trial of the
"bumps-free razor," and antibacterial benzoyl peroxide shaving gels. Other
treatment options include professional laser hair removal, electrolysis,
electric razors, or cream depilatories like Neet or Nair.
Is folliculitis curable? Is folliculitis contagious?
Most cases of folliculitis are completely curable. There are very uncommon,
long-standing cases of folliculitis that may not be curable. Often these more
resistant cases may be controlled with proper treatment and medication.
Folliculitis sometimes clears completely by itself without treatment. It usually improves after the teen years and young adulthood. Most
patients may expect a short course with easy clearing.
Although most cases of folliculitis are not contagious, cases caused by an
infection may be transmitted through person-to-person skin contact, shared
razors, or through Jacuzzis or hot tubs. Folliculitis may be sterile
(noninfectious) or caused by a fungus, bacterium, or virus. It is possible to
give it to someone else through close skin contact. Some people are simply more
prone to developing folliculitis because of their overall health, possible
altered immune status, exposure history, and other predisposing skin conditions
like eczema or severely dry skin.
Next: What are possible complications of folliculitis? »
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