Blog Skin Diseases
Sometimes the breakout of small red bumps you thought was acne might not actually be acne, but actually a fairly common skin condition called folliculitis. What is folliculitis? It is a skin infection that occurs within the follicles of your hair. Any area of your body that is covered with hair can be a site for folliculitis.
People often mistake it as an acne breakout due to its appearance. It may look like a cluster of small (and sometimes painful) spots with rings around them, signifying the presence of infection. Acne breakouts pretty much look similar in appearance, that’s why people sometimes think that one is the other. Some symptoms of folliculitis include itchy skin and some pain associated with the redness.
How do you get it? In short, folliculitis is caused by damaged hair follicles. When you have damaged hair follicles, bacteria can seep in and cause the infections associated with the condition. The most common source being staph, an infection caused by the staphylococcus bacteria found in our skin.
You can damage to your hair follicles by shaving too roughly, too much rubbing of your skin, wearing clothing that is too tight, or chaffing caused by skin-to-skin friction. An improperly-maintained hot tub can also cause folliculitis, so if you own a hot tub make sure you clean it thoroughly and regularly.
To treat folliculitis, you can apply a warm compress at least 3 times a day on the area affected, and leave the compress on your skin for 20 minutes each time. You should also stop doing the things that have caused it in the first place, like if shaving caused it then you should stop shaving for at least 30 days. Wearing loose clothing can also help prevent friction.
It is also important that you visit your dermatologist if your condition is severe or if you think it may be something else.
Acne or Folliculitis?
Sometimes the breakout of small red bumps you thought was acne might not actually be acne, but actually a fairly common skin condition called folliculitis. What is folliculitis? It is a skin infection that occurs within the follicles of your hair. Any area of your body that is covered with hair can be a site for folliculitis.
People often mistake it as an acne breakout due to its appearance. It may look like a cluster of small (and sometimes painful) spots with rings around them, signifying the presence of infection. Acne breakouts pretty much look similar in appearance, that’s why people sometimes think that one is the other. Some symptoms of folliculitis include itchy skin and some pain associated with the redness.
How do you get it? In short, folliculitis is caused by damaged hair follicles. When you have damaged hair follicles, bacteria can seep in and cause the infections associated with the condition. The most common source being staph, an infection caused by the staphylococcus bacteria found in our skin.
You can damage to your hair follicles by shaving too roughly, too much rubbing of your skin, wearing clothing that is too tight, or chaffing caused by skin-to-skin friction. An improperly-maintained hot tub can also cause folliculitis, so if you own a hot tub make sure you clean it thoroughly and regularly.
To treat folliculitis, you can apply a warm compress at least 3 times a day on the area affected, and leave the compress on your skin for 20 minutes each time. You should also stop doing the things that have caused it in the first place, like if shaving caused it then you should stop shaving for at least 30 days. Wearing loose clothing can also help prevent friction.
It is also important that you visit your dermatologist if your condition is severe or if you think it may be something else.
