Pseudomonas Folliculitis Follow-up

  • Author: Charles B Toner, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 12, 2012
 

Deterrence/Prevention

  • Proper maintenance and chlorination of pools, hot tubs, whirlpools, and spas are essential to decrease the population of Pseudomonas species.
    • The Centers for Disease Control Suggested Health and Safety Guidelines for Public Spas and Hot Tubs recommend a free chlorine concentration of 1-3 mg/L and a pH of 7.2-7.8.
    • However, P aeruginosa has been recovered from adequately chlorinated water containing 2 mg/L of free chlorine.
    • Bromine is considered an acceptable alternative to chlorine and is considered more effective in hot water, with a longer period of activation.
  • Complete drying of sponges between uses is essential because P aeruginosa does not survive drying.
  • Showering after exposure to contaminated water does not seem to prevent Pseudomonas folliculitis.
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Charles B Toner, MD  Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, F Edward Hebert School of Medicine; Mohs Surgeon, Skin Cancer Surgery Center; Mohs Surgeon, Charles County Dermatology; Mohs Surgeon, Georgia Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center

Charles B Toner, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Mohs Surgery, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Association of Military Surgeons of the US

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Stephen J Krivda, MD  Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; Chief of the Integrated Department of Dermatology, Chief of Dermatology Service, Director of Dermatopathology, Staff Dermatopathologist, Walter Reed Army Medical Center; Head, Department of Dermatology, Staff Dermatologist and Dermatopathologist, National Naval Medical Center

Stephen J Krivda, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Leonard Sperling, MD  Chair, Professor, Department of Dermatology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

Leonard Sperling, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Michael J Wells, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine

Michael J Wells, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Lester F Libow, MD  Dermatopathologist, South Texas Dermatopathology Laboratory

Lester F Libow, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Catherine M Quirk, MD  Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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Erythematous papulopustules of pseudomonas folliculitis. Courtesy of Mark Welch, MD.
Erythematous papulopustules of pseudomonas folliculitis, with significant perilesional flare. Courtesy of Andy Montemarano, MD.
Pseudomonas folliculitis. Courtesy of Hon Pak, MD.
 
 
 
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