What is folliculitis?
Folliculitis is a common skin condition that’s often caused by an infected or inflamed hair follicle. It can look similar to acne and be uncomfortable or itchy. Folliculitis often has a psychosocial impact because of its appearance. There are many different types of folliculitis — each one unique based on the cause, the infectious organism and its impact on the skin. Folliculitis can happen as a result of daily activities like shaving, getting in a hot tub, and excess sweating from exercise or outdoor work.
You can have folliculitis anywhere on the body that has hair. Common places include your:
- Face.
- Arms.
- Upper back.
- Lower legs.
You have hair almost everywhere on your body. Some hairs are so fine that you may not notice they are there, while others are very prominent. Your hair has a larger purpose than appearance — it acts like an insulator, keeping you warm. It’s part of your body’s protection system. The spot where an individual hair enters your skin is called a follicle. The follicle holds the thin hair in place and is home to oil glands.
Unfortunately, follicles can gather bacteria and other materials from the outside world that could cause inflammation or infection. When something is inflamed, it’s swollen. A swollen hair follicle will bulge up and make a bump on the skin. If you have an infected hair follicle, you may experience:
- Redness.
- Irritation.
- Itching.
- Bumps on the skin.
Advertisem*nt
Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
What are the types of folliculitis?
There are actually many different types of folliculitis. Think of folliculitis like a blanket term — it’s the family that each of these specific types of skin conditions lives under. Each type of folliculitis can have its own appearance, symptoms and cause. Often, the thing that causes the condition is one of the biggest factors that sets each type of folliculitis apart. Location can also play a role — where you experience this condition on your body can change depending on what type of folliculitis you have.
The types of folliculitis include:
- Staphylococcus aureus folliculitis: Infection of the hair follicle with Staphylococcus aureus bacteria is one of the most common causes of folliculitis. Small red or white pus-filled pimples can be seen on the skin. The affected area often gets better (resolves) within a few days and can be cared for at home. In severe and persistent cases, however, folliculitis should be treated by your healthcare provider.
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa (“hot tub”) folliculitis: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacteria that thrives in heated, moving water (hot tubs, whirlpools, water slides). It can infect the hair follicle and cause a rash that looks a lot like the one caused by the staphylococcal species. Sometimes the rash is itchy. Hot tub folliculitis occurs one to two days after exposure to the water source and typically fades on its own within a few days. Rarely, some people may need medical treatment.
- Malassezia folliculitis: Malassezia are a family of yeast that can normally be found on the skin. Sometimes, when Malassezia gets into the hair follicles, it can cause an itchy condition that looks like an acne breakout. It usually occurs on the upper chest and back. This form of folliculitis is made worse (aggravated) by sweat. Using an antidandruff shampoo every day to wash the affected areas of skin is often helpful.
- Pseudofolliculitis barbae: Also called “razor bumps,” pseudofolliculitis barbae usually occurs in the beard area. After beard hairs are cut with a razor, sharply trimmed edges can turn back into the skin, causing irritation. Pseudofolliculitis barbae is more common in people with curly hair, particularly Black men. Avoidance of shaving or using trimmers can help. If the problem is persistent, you should see a dermatologist as this can lead to scarring.
- Sycosis barbae: Sycosis barbae is a severe, potentially scarring form of shaving-related folliculitis. The entire hair follicle is infected, resulting in large red pustules. Shaving should be avoided and you should see a dermatologist for discussion of treatment options.
- Gram-negative folliculitis: Gram-negative folliculitis can happen after prolonged antibiotic use to treat acne. Over time, resistant bacteria grow and multiply. This can lead to your acne actually getting worse. This condition requires treatment from a dermatologist or another healthcare provider.
- Boils (furuncles): Boils, or furuncles, occur when the hair follicle becomes deeply infected. The boil is often red, tender and painful. It will come to a head after several days and may leave a scar behind. In certain cases, oral medications or procedures are needed to resolve the lesion.
- Carbuncles: A carbuncle forms when several boils appear in one spot. Carbuncles are usually larger and are the combination of multiple infected hair follicles. As with boils, in certain cases, oral medications or procedures are needed to resolve the lesion.
- Eosinophilic folliculitis: This condition is usually seen in patients who are immunosuppressed (the immune system is not fully functioning). There’s also a form that’s seen in babies. Eosinophilic folliculitis is not infectious. It is characterized by itchy pustules, most often on the shoulders, upper arms, neck and forehead. They often resolve on their own, but can come back (recur).
How common is folliculitis?
Folliculitis is a very common skin condition that many people will experience throughout their lives. It can happen to men, women, children and infants. Certain types of folliculitis are more likely to happen in particular groups of people. Pseudofolliculitis barbae and sycosis barbae, for example, are two types of folliculitis are closely linked to shaving. These conditions are much more common in men who are frequently cutting beard hairs.
