What are common types of folliculitis?
Acne vulgaris
Acne vulgaris occurs almost universally in teenagers at puberty. Acne vulgaris is usually not considered a folliculitis, but it specifically affects the hair follicles of the face, chest, and back.
Drug-induced folliculitis
Systemically administered or topically applied steroids (cortisone-containing medications) are a well-known cause of folliculitis. Certain anti-cancer drugs produce a form of folliculitis.
Cutting oil folliculitis
Machinists exposed to insoluble cutting oils that are used to decrease the friction while machining metal parts can develop a folliculitis on the exposed skin.
Staphylococcal folliculitis
Staphylococci are bacteria that commonly inhabit the skin. One species, S. aureus, is a frequent cause of folliculitis. Occasionally, this organism may be insensitive to a number of commonly used antibiotics (such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA). In this situation, it is very important that a culture of the organism with sensitivities be performed so the ideal antibiotic is selected to treat the infection.
Fungal folliculitis
Folliculitis from a fungus infection can occur on the face and on the lower legs. It is often exacerbated by shaving. It can also occur on the trunk (Pityrosporum folliculitis).
Viral folliculitis
Folliculitis from a virus infection often affects the face and is from herpes simplex virus affecting the lips, commonly known as a cold sore.
Scarring scalp folliculitis
There are a variety of rare, inflammatory, scarring types of folliculitis that can result in permanent hair loss.
Eosinophilic folliculitis
Eosinophilic folliculitis is an uncommon condition that is poorly understood and occurs occasionally as a response to certain drugs, in immunosuppressed patients (AIDS and bone marrow cancers), and in infants, affecting the scalp.
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