Folliculitis is a bacterial or fungal infection of the hair follicles, usually manifested as itching, pain, blistering, and/or a oozing (watery) rash around one or more infected follicles. Folliculitis can be caused by a range of pathogens and can develop into several degrees of severity, so there are many options for treatment. Whether you have a moderate case or a very severe skin case, start with step 1 below, to get the best looking skin in no time.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Treating Moderate Folliculitis With Home Remedies
Step 1. Wash the folliculitis-infected area regularly with antibacterial soap
Most cases of moderate folliculitis will eventually go away on their own. However, it is possible to speed up the healing process by treating the infected area properly. Twice a day, use a mild antibacterial soap to clean the infected area and kill any bacteria that are causing folliculitis. Rinse and dry with a clean dry cloth or towel.
- Make sure to wash it gently. And don't use harsh soaps or scrub vigorously-both of these can irritate the infected area, and exacerbate inflammation and redness (rash).
- If you happen to have folliculitis on your face, choose an antibacterial soap specifically made for use on the face. These soaps are often gentler than regular antibacterial soaps.
Step 2. Soak the infected area with warm water and aluminum acetate
Also known as Burow's solution, aluminum acetate is an astringent and antibacterial agent commonly used as an inexpensive over-the-counter drug over the counter for a variety of minor skin conditions. Aluminum acetate can be used to kill folliculitis-causing bacteria, as well as to reduce swelling in the infected area, reduce irritation, and speed up recovery.
- To use Burow's solution, simply dissolve one packet in the recommended amount of warm water. Soak a clean washcloth in the aluminum acetate solution, wring it out, and then apply it to the infected area gently. Leave the rag there, occasionally dampening the cloth in the acetate solution as needed.
- When finished, clean the container used for the aluminum acetate and wash the rag under cold water. Do not reuse the washcloth; clean and dry properly before using it again.
Step 3. Treat with oatmeal
Believe it or not, oatmeal has long been used as an ingredient in home remedies for skin irritation due to its anti-itch properties. Try soaking yourself (or just the infected area) in an oatmeal bath or covering the infected area with an oatmeal lotion. Enjoy the gentle, healing sensation of the oatmeal treatment, however, to avoid aggravating your folliculitis further, avoid prolonged contact, even with this mild solution.
As described above, be sure to use a clean towel or clean washcloth to gently dry the infected area
Step 4. Try a simple compress with salt water
A warm compress is a washcloth or other absorbent material, which is soaked in warm water and applied to the infected area to heal irritation, promote drying, and speed up the healing process. Using salt water for your compress provides an additional (even if minor) antibacterial benefit. To make a brine compress, first dissolve a spoonful of table salt in a cup or two of warm water. Soak a clean cotton ball or wash a clean washcloth in the salt water and gently place it on the infected area.
Do it twice a day once in the morning, and again at night
Step 5. Consider using a holistic treatment, such as vinegar
Minor skin diseases such as folliculitis are easy targets for many holistic or "natural" treatments. Some practitioners swear by this type of medicine, even though they are often not supported by the medical community. If you decide to go for holistic treatment, use common sense-don't do anything that will worsen your folliculitis, introduce additional bacteria to the infected area, or prevent healing. One common holistic treatment, which involves vinegar is described below (many others too, which can be found by searching the internet).
Make a solution of two parts warm water and one part white vinegar, and mix it properly. Soak a clean washcloth in the vinegar solution, wring it out, and place it on the infected area. Leave the compress there for 5-10 minutes, and occasionally re-wet the cloth with the vinegar solution as needed
Method 2 of 3: Treating Folliculitis By Choosing Medical Treatment
Step 1. Feel free to consult a doctor for serious cases
Usually, folliculitis is nothing more than a minor irritation problem. However, as with all infections, there is always a chance that it will develop into something more serious if not checked. If folliculitis doesn't seem to be getting better on its own, or if it develops with more serious symptoms, such as fever or severe swelling, and irritation, schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. It's better to anticipate than regret later-a timely doctor's visit can potentially save you more time and money in the long run.
Usually, it's okay to visit your “subscriber” doctor (eg, family doctor/general practitioner). He will then advise you to go to a dermatologist (skin doctor)
Step 2. Use hydrocortisone to relieve minor itching and pain
Hydrocortisone is a topical cream that treats skin irritation and relieves itching. Try applying 1% hydrocortisone cream 2 to 3 times a day (or as needed) to relieve pain. Apply the ointment directly to the infected area, gently dabbing it with your finger or a clean tool. If using your hands, wash and dry them before applying the ointment to avoid transferring bacteria to the wound.
Note that, while hydrocortisone will relieve pain and inflammation, it will not actively fight bacteria
Step 3. Use an over-the-counter pain reliever/anti-inflammatory
To relieve the pain and inflammation associated with folliculitis, you may want to use one of the various over-the-counter medications that are appropriate for treating this condition. Over-the-counter and inexpensive pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and aspirin, can help reduce cases of moderate pain caused by folliculitis. Pain relievers with anti-inflammatory properties, such as ibuprofen, are also good choices, as they not only help with the pain, but also relieve the inflammation that is contributing to the pain.
Although most over-the-counter pain relievers are perfectly safe to use in small doses, frequent or prolonged use can sometimes lead to serious conditions, such as liver damage. So, always follow the instructions for safe use, including for any medicine you buy
Step 4. Use antibiotics for serious cases
For cases of folliculitis that do not respond well to cleaning and home remedies, it may be necessary to treat the bacteria responsible for the infection with antibiotics. Topical antibiotics are available at most pharmacies and convenience stores. However, oral antibiotics are stronger, usually require a prescription, and are usually reserved for severe cases.
Step 5. Use antifungal for cases caused by fungus
As noted in the introduction, some cases of folliculitis are not caused by bacteria, but by fungi. In this case, you will need to use antifungal medication to treat your condition. Antifungal drugs are available in oral and topical forms. As with antibacterial drugs, mild antifungal medications are often sold over-the-counter at drugstores, while stronger medications may require a doctor's prescription.
Step 6. Allow the boil or group of boils (carbuncles) to drain by a medical professional
In very severe cases, folliculitis can eventually contribute to the development of painful, pus-filled blisters and carbuncles. If you have these boils, see a doctor. While draining these boils will speed up the healing process and reduce eventual scarring, you don't want to do it alone. Attempting to puncture (break) and drain these boils without using sterile instruments and a medical environment is a powerful way to develop a secondary infection.
Method 3 of 3: Avoiding Behaviors That Cause Folliculitis
Step 1. Do not shave the infected area
Folliculitis is often brought on by irritation caused by shaving or unclean (healthy) shaving practices. If you have folliculitis of the skin under your beard or any other area that you shave regularly, don't shave the area for a while. Continuous shaving can irritate the area and can even spread the disease, from one hair to another.
If you must shave, reduce irritation as much as possible. Try using an electric shaver instead of a manual shaver, and shaving in the direction of the hairline (hair), rather than against the hairline (hair). Make sure your razor is clean every time you shave
Step 2. Do not touch the area
Fingers and hands are one of the most common vectors for bacteria. This means that fingers and hands carry and transmit bacteria like an airplane carries and sends people. Although the infected area may itch, sting, or be very painful, it is very important to resist the urge to scratch or touch the infected area. Treat the area like a restricted area-try to touch it only if you're using soap, a topical medication, or a compress.
Step 3. Don't wear tight clothes
The mechanical action of clothing rubbing against the skin throughout the day can cause inflammation and irritation that can potentially lead to infection. In addition, skin infections can also occur if clothing prevents air from reaching the skin. If you are prone to folliculitis, make sure your clothing is soft and loose to minimize potential irritation
Also try to prevent clothing around certain areas affected by folliculitis from getting wet. Wet clothes tend to stick to the skin, increasing the risk of irritation
Step 4. Keep your skin from coming into contact with irritating substances
Everyone's skin is different-some people are prone to rashes and breakouts, while others are hardy. If you have folliculitis (or are prone to it), try to avoid contact with substances you know can cause you irritation (especially substances you are allergic to), irritants can cause infection or hinder the healing process of existing infections.
You may need to avoid certain cosmetics such as oils, lotions, liniments, and so on
Step 5. Do not bathe or swim in untreated water
Folliculitis is colloquially called hot tub rash for good reason. Swimming, bathing, or immersing yourself in unclean water, such as a hot tub that hasn't been treated with chlorine, are common ways to get a folliculitis infection. Certain bacteria that cause folliculitis, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are easily transmitted through dirty water. If you are prone to folliculitis, you need to take care to ensure that you don't allow yourself to come into contact with untreated standing (non-running) water.
Step 6. Don't rely too much on topical steroid creams
Certain medical treatments, when used for long periods of time, can increase the risk of folliculitis. Topical steroid creams such as hydrocortisone, in particular, can contribute to folliculitis infections. Paradoxically, topical hydrocortisone itself is a common remedy for mild folliculitis. If you are taking hydrocortisone to treat your folliculitis, schedule an appointment with your doctor if you don't see any improvement- procrastinating and relying too much on steroid creams can cause the infection to worsen.
Step 7. Don't let the wound get infected
Hair follicles can become inflamed and infected if nearby infections are irritated or allowed to spread. Thus, you need to make sure you treat any existing skin infections promptly and professionally. Don't let infections get out of control-they are easier to treat when they're small and localized than after they've spread.
