Folliculitis Follow-up

  • Author: Elizabeth Kline Satter, MD, MPH; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Aug 4, 2011
 

Further Outpatient Care

Arrange a follow-up visit within 2 weeks to check response to treatment.

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Deterrence/Prevention

Avoid shaving irritated skin for 1 month or until all lesions have resolved. To prevent future lesions, avoid close shaving and change disposable razors daily. In addition, periodically soak electric razor heads in 70% alcohol or diluted bleach for 1 hour to eliminate overgrowth of bacteria or fungi.

Good personal hygiene, including bathing, hand washing, and keeping nails short and clean, reduces the risk of folliculitis. Wearing loose rather than snug-fitting clothing helps reduce friction.

In cases of acute folliculitis, launder towels, washcloths, and sheets frequently and do not share them with other family members.

Hot tubs should be cleaned regularly and appropriately chlorinated.

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Complications

Persistent and deep folliculitis can result in scarring, sinus tract formation, and permanent hair loss.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Elizabeth Kline Satter, MD, MPH  Chairman, Department of Dermatology, Naval Medical Center San Diego

Elizabeth Kline Satter, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Medical Women's Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Daniel J Hogan, MD  Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine (Dermatology), Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine; Investigator, Hill Top Research, Florida Research Center

Daniel J Hogan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Contact Dermatitis Society, and Canadian Dermatology Association

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.

Paul Krusinski, MD  Director of Dermatology, Fletcher Allen Health Care; Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Vermont College of Medicine

Paul Krusinski, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE  Medical Director, Clinical Studies Unit, Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Associate Scholar, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania

Joel M Gelfand, MD, MSCE is a member of the following medical societies: Society for Investigative Dermatology

Disclosure: AMGEN Consulting fee Consulting; AMGEN Grant/research funds Investigator; Genentech Grant/research funds investigator; Centocor Consulting fee Consulting; Abbott Grant/research funds investigator; Abbott Consulting fee Consulting; Novartis investigator; Pfizer Grant/research funds investigator; Celgene Consulting fee DMC Chair; NIAMS and NHLBI Grant/research funds investigator

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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  3. Walsh SR, Johnson RP. Vaccinia Folliculitis After Primary Dryvax Vaccination. Infect Dis Clin Pract. Mar 2007;15(2):132-4.

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  13. Vary JC Jr, Colven R, Kirby P. Hypertrophic scars from surgical staples mimicking folliculitis. J Am Acad Dermatol. Jan 2010;62(1):157-8. [Medline].

  14. Weedon D, Strutton G. Skin Pathology. 2nd ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 2002:459-66.

  15. Satoh T, Shimura C, Miyagishi C, Yokozeki H. Indomethacin-induced reduction in CRTH2 in eosinophilic pustular folliculitis (Ofuji's disease): a proposed mechanism of action. Acta Derm Venereol. 2010;90(1):18-22. [Medline].

  16. Arenas R, Toussaint S, Isa-Isa R. Kerion and dermatophytic granuloma. Mycological and histopathological findings in 19 children with inflammatory tinea capitis of the scalp. Int J Dermatol. Mar 2006;45(3):215-9. [Medline].

  17. Arndt KA, Robinson JK, Wintroub BU, LeBoit PE. Dermatology: Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery in Primary Care. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 1997.

  18. Bolognia JL, Jorizzo JL, Rapini RP. Dermatology. Vol 1. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2003:553-66.

 
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A 22-month-old boy with a staphylococcal folliculitis on the buttocks. The lesions have been excoriated. Diaper occlusion may have been related to onset of the rash.
A 30-year-old woman with hot tub folliculitis. She had used a hot tub 2 days prior, wearing a bikini-style bathing suit.
Pseudomonas folliculitis. Courtesy of Hon Pak, MD.
Superficial folliculitis with neutrophils concentrated in the upper aspect of the follicle
Perifolliculitis, showing inflammatory cells surrounding the follicle,
 
 
 
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