Irritant folliculitis
Irritant Folliculitis
Irritant folliculitis (pronounced: ir-ri-tant fol-li-cu-li-tis) is a common skin condition characterized by inflammation and infection of the hair follicles. The term is derived from the Latin words "irritare" meaning to provoke or annoy, and "folliculus" meaning small bag, referring to the hair follicle.
Causes
Irritant folliculitis is often caused by physical or chemical irritation to the skin. This can include friction from clothing, excessive sweating, or exposure to certain chemicals or cosmetics. It can also be caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal infections, particularly Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Symptoms
The primary symptom of irritant folliculitis is the appearance of small, red, inflamed bumps or pustules around the hair follicles. These may be itchy or painful. In severe cases, the inflammation can spread, leading to larger areas of redness, swelling, and pus-filled blisters.
Treatment
Treatment for irritant folliculitis typically involves avoiding the irritant or infection causing the condition. This may involve changing personal care products, wearing looser clothing, or improving personal hygiene practices. In cases caused by infection, antibiotics or antifungal medications may be prescribed. Topical treatments, such as benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, can also be effective in reducing inflammation and preventing further infection.
Related Terms
- Folliculitis: A general term for inflammation of the hair follicles.
- Staphylococcal folliculitis: A type of folliculitis caused by Staphylococcus bacteria.
- Pseudofolliculitis barbae: A condition caused by ingrown hairs, often in the beard area.
- Furuncle: Also known as a boil, a furuncle is a more severe infection of the hair follicle, often caused by Staphylococcus bacteria.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Irritant folliculitis
- Wikipedia's article - Irritant folliculitis
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