Is folliculitis painful?

Folliculitis is a common skin disease. It is the result of bacterial growth on the skin. It usually manifests as redness, swelling and suppuration of the skin. The symptoms of folliculitis can only be relieved by clearing the suppurative areas on the skin and then applying medication. The symptom of folliculitis is painful, and it can cause scabs to form on the skin. You should pay attention to skin hygiene and disinfect the bacteria.

The human body surface, except for the skin on the palms and soles and around some mucous membranes, has hair that is either long or short, thick or thin, and there is a hair follicle in the inner part of the skin of each hair. If the hair follicles are infected by Staphylococcus aureus, red papules and pustules will appear on the surface, which is called folliculitis.

Folliculitis is an inflammation caused by pyogenic cocci invading the area around the hair follicle opening and is limited to the upper part of the hair follicle. It is divided into two types: purulent and non-purulent. It is more common in people with low immunity or diabetes, and is prone to occur on the head and neck. Folliculitis initially presents as red, solid papules, which rapidly develop into papular pustules, which then dry up and form scabs, leaving no trace after the scabs fall off. The rashes are numerous but not confluent. Folliculitis is more common in adults. It is common on the head, neck, buttocks and vulva. The patient feels itching or mild pain, but generally has no systemic symptoms. The rash initially appears as pinhead-sized red follicular papules, which gradually turn into miliary-sized pustules with hair running through the center and an inflammatory red halo around them. Most pustules appear in batches and do not merge with each other. After the pustule bursts, a small amount of pus and blood is discharged and a yellow scab is formed. The disease will heal once the scab falls off without leaving any scars.

A minor case of folliculitis may not seem like a big deal, but it would be a mistake to take it lightly. Folliculitis can recur and form chronic folliculitis; if it occurs on the scalp, it can cause permanent hair loss; if it occurs on the neck, the skin lesions will show papillary hyperplasia or form scar nodules, which are difficult to cure; if folliculitis develops deeply, it can cause perifolliculitis, called furunculosis. Multiple and recurrent furuncles are called furunculosis. In severe cases, there may be swollen lymph nodes, fever, headache, and even sepsis or septicemia; if the furunculosis located in the nose, mouth and lips is squeezed, the bacteria can enter the skull through the blood, causing suppurative thrombophlebitis or brain abscess, which can lead to death.

The prevention and treatment of folliculitis mainly focus on paying attention to skin cleansing, enhancing the body's resistance, preventing trauma, and actively treating itchy skin diseases and systemic chronic diseases. Patients with scalp folliculitis should pay attention to keeping the scalp cool at all times, improve the habit of excessive washing, get enough sleep and relieve stress; patients with folliculitis on the chest, back and buttocks are mostly related to humidity, heat, sweating and personal constitution; patients with thigh folliculitis are mostly caused by friction between pants and leg hair follicles; and patients with upper arm folliculitis are mostly the result of keratinization of pores. 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.