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

The prognosis with folliculitis is very good. Overall, folliculitis tends to be an easily treated and curable skin condition. Often, it is a noncontagious, self-limited condition. Rarely, more widespread folliculitis may be cosmetically disfiguring and psychologically distressing.

Prevention efforts include good skin hygiene, avoiding unsanitary hot tubs and pools, not sharing razors, avoiding shaving too closely, changing out razors regularly, and keeping the skin moist and well hydrated.

Previous contributing author: Nili N. Alai, MD, FAAD

REFERENCES:

"Folliculitis." DermNet NZ. Feb. 4, 2012. <http://dermnetnz.org/acne/folliculitis.html>.

Leulmo-Aguilar, Jesus, and Mireia Sabat Santandreu. "Folliculitis: Recognition and Management." Am J Clin Dermatol 5.5 (2004): 301-310.