Is folliculitis contagious?

Hair is a common sign on our skin. Folliculitis is a disease caused by inflammation of hair follicles, purulent or non-purulent inflammation. Folliculitis slowly turns into pustules, which are often more common in hair because the hair follicle skin is relatively thin. After rubbing with hands, purulent secretions will occur. Occasionally, you will feel itchy and painful. After a few days, it will dry and scab. More patients and friends are concerned about whether folliculitis is contagious?

Is folliculitis contagious? This is a question that everyone is concerned about. I believe everyone is familiar with folliculitis, because in daily life you will find small red papules on the hair and scalp. They are more common in places such as the neck and buttocks and are relatively stubborn. Let us briefly introduce whether folliculitis is contagious.

Initially, it appears as a small inflammatory papule consistent with the hair follicles, surrounded by a red halo, which quickly turns into a pustule, with hair often running through the center. The pustules are the size of millet grains and do not fuse together. The blister wall is thin, and there is a small amount of purulent secretion after breaking. The patient will feel itching and slight pain. After a few days, it will dry and form a scab and heal without leaving any scars. It is more common in adults, and is prone to occur on the scalp, neck, buttocks, etc. Local lymph nodes may swell. Stubborn in nature, prone to relapse, often lingering for a long time

Folliculitis is not contagious, but if you touch it with your hands and then scratch your skin with your hands, it is very likely to cause infection. As long as you don’t have broken skin and do not touch the broken area of ​​your folliculitis, you will not be infected. Therefore, prevention and treatment is also an important part after suffering from folliculitis.

Patients must be careful to avoid covering, heat and excessive sweating, do not wash their hair frequently, do not wear pants that are too tight or too hard, and at the same time pay attention to personal hygiene, strengthen physical exercise, and enhance disease resistance. In terms of diet, you should pay attention to eating less alcohol and sour, spicy and other irritating foods. People with recurrent attacks should eat less greasy food, eat more vegetables and fruits, increase vitamins, and keep the bowels open. To treat or control folliculitis, the principles are to kill bacteria, reduce inflammation and dry the skin locally. Mild patients can use topical anti-inflammatory drugs, sulfur solution, etc., while more serious patients can take oral medications.

From the above introduction, folliculitis is not contagious, but you must maintain good hygiene and eating habits. Do not scratch or squeeze the skin of folliculitis with unwashed or dirty hands, as this will lead to infection of folliculitis. If there is only one papule, it will become two and become a secondary infection. Do not touch the damaged area of ​​folliculitis and you will not be infected. You should also maintain good eating habits and avoid eating any spicy foods that are prohibited.