Common Questions About Folliculitis Answered By Harvard Health Publishing.

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How does folliculitis spread over entire body?

Answered by Dr. Robert H. Shmerling

M.D. Senior Faculty Editor, Harvard Health Publishing · 30 years of experience · USA

Folliculitis is an inflammation around a hair follicle. It is often due to an infection (especially Staphylococcus), which may be bacterial, viral or fungal. However, it can also develop due to skin irritation, hairstyles that pull on the hair, medications or immune suppression. While folliculitis tends to affect one area of the body (such as the scalp or beard), folliculitis can occur anywhere there is hair. Folliculitis is more likely to be widespread when it’s due to a body-wide exposure (such as swimming in contaminated water), fungal infection or in the setting of immune suppression such as HIV infection.

What causes folliculitis?

Answered by Dr. Howard E. Lewine

M.D. Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing · 40 years of experience · USA

Folliculitis is the medical term for inflamed hair follicles. Most often the inflammation is due to a bacterial infection. However, other germs can cause folliculitis and sometimes the cause is inflammation without a specific infection. Treatment depends on identifying the underlying cause. For mild cases, daily or twice daily gentle washing with an antibacterial soap me enough. If that is not helping, your doctor may prescribe a topical prescription medication.

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Is there non bacterial folliculitis and what are the causes?

Answered by Dr. Howard E. Lewine

M.D. Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing · 40 years of experience · USA

Folliculitis is the medical term for inflamed hair follicles. The inflammation can be caused or complicated by an infection or have a non-infectious cause. In addition to bacterial folliculitis, fungi and herpes simplex viruses can also infect hair follicles. A condition called eosinophilic folliculitis is non-infectious cause, which occurs primarily in immunocompromised people. Conditions that can mimic folliculitis and/or predispose a person to folliculitis include impetigo, eczema and psoriasis.

Disclaimer: This is for information purpose only, and should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. These are opinions from an external panel of individual doctors, and not to be considered as opinion of Microsoft. Please seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns.