Irritant folliculitis | |
---|---|
Pseudofolliculitis barbae: a type of irritant folliculitis | |
Specialty | Dermatology |
Symptoms | Small red bumps in skin [1] [2] |
Usual onset | Any age [1] |
Types | Pseudofolliculitis barbae [2] |
Causes | Occlusion, friction, hair removal, application of some medications, contact with irritant chemicals [1] [2] |
Risk factors | Obesity [1] |
Diagnostic method | Visualisation, history, negative microbiological culture [3] |
Treatment | Avoid trigger, tetracycline [1] |
Irritant folliculitis is an inflammation of the hair follicle. [1] It characteristically presents with small red bumps in the skin at sites of occlusion, pressure, friction, or hair removal; typically around the beard area in males, pubic area and lower legs of females, or generally the inner thighs and bottom. [1] [3] An associated itch may or may not be present. [1] [2] Pseudofolliculitis barbae is a type of irritant folliculitis in the beard area. [2]
Mechanical factors that typically trigger irritant folliculitis include hair removal by razor, waxing, electrolysis, and by plucking. [2] Repeated rubbing of skin such as friction on the inner thighs, may result in the irritation. [3] Sunlight, and prolonged pressure such as sitting on one's bottom for long periods of time, may also trigger irritant folliculitis. [3] Irritant folliculitis may occur following the use of some medications or contact with irritant chemicals such as cutting fluids and coal tar. [3] Tight hair styles may cause irritant folliculitis on the scalp. [4] Other factors that increase chances of skin friction and moisture include obesity. [1]
Diagnosis is generally by history and visualisation of the rash. [3] The condition is not due to infection and swabs of the spots are typically negative. [5] It may appear similar to acne and other types of infectious folliculitis. [6]
Treatment considers removing the triggering factor, particularly to stop shaving. [6] Prolonged use of the antibiotic doxycycline may be an option. [1] If shaving is necessary, the condition may be prevented by avoiding soap and applying a generous amount of shaving gel. [2] Rubbing may be reduced by using powders. [1]
Any age may be affected. [1] It is common on the lower legs of women who shave there. [2]
Irritant folliculitis is a type of folliculitis, an inflammation of the hair follicle, not caused by infection. [3] Types include pseudofolliculitis barbae and perioral dermatitis. [3] [2]
The condition characteristically presents with small red bumps in the skin at sites of occlusion, pressure, friction, or hair removal; typically around the beard area in males, pubic area and lower legs of females, or generally the inner thighs and bottom. [1] [3] An associated itch may or may not be present. [1] [2]
Mechanical factors that typically trigger irritant folliculitis include hair removal by razor, waxing, electrolysis, and by plucking. [2] Other triggers may include sunlight, prolonged pressure such as sitting on one's bottom for long periods of time, and contact with chemicals such as cutting fluids and coal tar. [1] [3] Lithium, halogens, corticosteroids, ACTH, isoniazid, phenytoin and some TNF-alpha inhibitors may cause irritant folliculitis. [3] Perioral dermatitis typically occurs following prolonged use of topical corticosteroid to face. [2] Tight hair styles may cause irritant folliculitis on the scalp. [4] Thick greasy moisturisers may trigger the condition. [2] Other factors that increase chances of skin friction and moisture include obesity. [1]
Diagnosis is by history and visualisation of the rash. [3] A swab for culture does not grow bacteria or fungi. [2]
Pseudofolliculitis barbae may be distinguished from infectious causes folliculitis of the beard area by the absence of fever and lymphadenopathy and the tendency to be more diffuse than localised. [7]
Treatment involves removing the triggering factor, particularly shaving. [3] Sometimes doxycycline works as an anti-inflammatory medication. [1] Ceasing to shave for several months may help. [2] If shaving is necessary, the condition may be prevented by avoiding soap and applying a generous amount of shaving gel after a few months of stopping shaving and letting the skin settle. [2] Rubbing may be reduced by using powders. [1]
Any age may be affected. [1] It is common on the lower legs of women who shave there. [2]
Irritant folliculitis | |
---|---|
Pseudofolliculitis barbae: a type of irritant folliculitis | |
Specialty | Dermatology |
Symptoms | Small red bumps in skin [1] [2] |
Usual onset | Any age [1] |
Types | Pseudofolliculitis barbae [2] |
Causes | Occlusion, friction, hair removal, application of some medications, contact with irritant chemicals [1] [2] |
Risk factors | Obesity [1] |
Diagnostic method | Visualisation, history, negative microbiological culture [3] |
Treatment | Avoid trigger, tetracycline [1] |
Irritant folliculitis is an inflammation of the hair follicle. [1] It characteristically presents with small red bumps in the skin at sites of occlusion, pressure, friction, or hair removal; typically around the beard area in males, pubic area and lower legs of females, or generally the inner thighs and bottom. [1] [3] An associated itch may or may not be present. [1] [2] Pseudofolliculitis barbae is a type of irritant folliculitis in the beard area. [2]
Mechanical factors that typically trigger irritant folliculitis include hair removal by razor, waxing, electrolysis, and by plucking. [2] Repeated rubbing of skin such as friction on the inner thighs, may result in the irritation. [3] Sunlight, and prolonged pressure such as sitting on one's bottom for long periods of time, may also trigger irritant folliculitis. [3] Irritant folliculitis may occur following the use of some medications or contact with irritant chemicals such as cutting fluids and coal tar. [3] Tight hair styles may cause irritant folliculitis on the scalp. [4] Other factors that increase chances of skin friction and moisture include obesity. [1]
Diagnosis is generally by history and visualisation of the rash. [3] The condition is not due to infection and swabs of the spots are typically negative. [5] It may appear similar to acne and other types of infectious folliculitis. [6]
Treatment considers removing the triggering factor, particularly to stop shaving. [6] Prolonged use of the antibiotic doxycycline may be an option. [1] If shaving is necessary, the condition may be prevented by avoiding soap and applying a generous amount of shaving gel. [2] Rubbing may be reduced by using powders. [1]
Any age may be affected. [1] It is common on the lower legs of women who shave there. [2]
Irritant folliculitis is a type of folliculitis, an inflammation of the hair follicle, not caused by infection. [3] Types include pseudofolliculitis barbae and perioral dermatitis. [3] [2]
The condition characteristically presents with small red bumps in the skin at sites of occlusion, pressure, friction, or hair removal; typically around the beard area in males, pubic area and lower legs of females, or generally the inner thighs and bottom. [1] [3] An associated itch may or may not be present. [1] [2]
Mechanical factors that typically trigger irritant folliculitis include hair removal by razor, waxing, electrolysis, and by plucking. [2] Other triggers may include sunlight, prolonged pressure such as sitting on one's bottom for long periods of time, and contact with chemicals such as cutting fluids and coal tar. [1] [3] Lithium, halogens, corticosteroids, ACTH, isoniazid, phenytoin and some TNF-alpha inhibitors may cause irritant folliculitis. [3] Perioral dermatitis typically occurs following prolonged use of topical corticosteroid to face. [2] Tight hair styles may cause irritant folliculitis on the scalp. [4] Thick greasy moisturisers may trigger the condition. [2] Other factors that increase chances of skin friction and moisture include obesity. [1]
Diagnosis is by history and visualisation of the rash. [3] A swab for culture does not grow bacteria or fungi. [2]
Pseudofolliculitis barbae may be distinguished from infectious causes folliculitis of the beard area by the absence of fever and lymphadenopathy and the tendency to be more diffuse than localised. [7]
Treatment involves removing the triggering factor, particularly shaving. [3] Sometimes doxycycline works as an anti-inflammatory medication. [1] Ceasing to shave for several months may help. [2] If shaving is necessary, the condition may be prevented by avoiding soap and applying a generous amount of shaving gel after a few months of stopping shaving and letting the skin settle. [2] Rubbing may be reduced by using powders. [1]
Any age may be affected. [1] It is common on the lower legs of women who shave there. [2]