Inflammation of the hair follicle in the groin. Inflammation of the hair follicle: causes, symptoms, treatment. How to treat inflammation of hair follicles

A person often encounters various diseases and pathological processes. Some of them go away on their own, while others require proper treatment. This article will discuss what inflammation of the hair follicles is. Almost every person can encounter this pathology. It is worth knowing what a hair follicle is and how the symptoms of its inflammation manifest themselves. We will also find out ways to treat the pathology.

Inflammation of hair follicles

This disease is called folliculitis. It can develop in anyone. Humans have many hairs on their bodies. And folliculitis can develop in the bulb of each of them.

The hair follicle becomes inflamed for several reasons. However, in all cases, bacteria begin to multiply in it. Most often these are staphylococci.

Types of folliculitis

Inflammation of the hair follicles can take several different forms. They are divided depending on what caused the pathology. So, doctors distinguish the following types of disease:

Inflammation of the hair follicles occurs due to bacteria entering them. This may be caused by a minor injury or cut. This most often happens during shaving or hair removal.

The cause of the development of pathology can be wearing tight clothes and underwear. Representatives of the fairer sex face this especially often. In this case, inflammation of the hair follicles in the groin begins.

Elementary lack of hygiene and the use of public saunas and swimming pools can lead to such a pathology. In this case, the microbe can penetrate both damaged skin and a healthy follicle.

Symptoms of pathology

Inflammation of the hair follicles on the head or in any other places can be superficial or deep. In the first case, there is slight redness in the hair area and a small abscess, which does not exceed 5 millimeters in size.

With deep inflammation, extensive damage to the upper layers of the skin occurs. The abscess has a size from one to ten centimeters.

The lesion can be either single or multiple. In especially severe cases, pain and itching occurs.

Inflammation of the hair follicle: treatment

It is up to the specialist to decide whether to treat the pathology or not. Contact a dermatologist and get a qualified prescription. In most cases, treatment is performed surgically. This usually does not require the use of anesthesia. Only in particularly severe cases is representative anesthesia of the affected area necessary.

Treatment of inflammation of the hair follicle is carried out using a scalpel or thin curette. The doctor treats the adjacent area and opens the abscess. After this, you need to thoroughly clean the wound from pus and disinfect it. In most cases, the hair growing from a given follicle is completely removed with tweezers.

After such treatment, you need to treat the affected area with special solutions several times a day. A specialist will decide what exactly is right for you. Most often, brilliant green, furatsilin, chlorhexidine or alcohol are prescribed. In especially severe cases, with deep inflammation, it is recommended to use compresses with ichthyol. You need to apply such lotions several times a day until complete recovery.

Alternative treatment: using medications

Depending on the cause of the inflammation, additional measures may be recommended. If folliculitis is caused by long-term use of hormonal drugs, then they are simply canceled. Of course, the benefits and possible risks for the patient are taken into account.

In addition, doctors prescribe drugs that affect the microorganism. However, before this, it is worth taking a test to identify sensitivity to certain drugs. Doctors often use the following medications: Metronidazole, Naxogin, Cefotaxime, and so on. Remember that without preliminary analysis, treatment may be ineffective.

Ways to prevent the disease

Is there any method to avoid hair follicle inflammation? Absolutely yes. To begin with, you should reconsider your own lifestyle and observe basic hygiene. Cleanse your body regularly using gels and special scrubs. Take a shower at least once a day.

Try not to use other people's towels, scarves and clothes. Avoid questionable ponds, saunas and swimming pools. If you go swimming, the water should be chlorinated. In this case, its pH must be at least 8.

Avoid wearing thick underwear. Avoid strong friction of clothing in the area of skin folds, for example, in the groin area. Always use emollients when waxing and shaving. After the procedure, apply alcohol softening lotions to the skin. They will help disinfect the skin and prevent bacteria from entering the wound.

Summarizing

So, we have found out what it is. You also became aware of the symptoms and causes of the pathology. You should not open the ulcers yourself. Seek help from a specialist who will provide you with the right assistance and prescribe subsequent treatment. Good health to you!

All over the human body, and not just on the head, you can see hairs that originate from the deep layers of the skin where the hair follicles are located. Some skin diseases can affect not only the skin, but also the hair follicle, causing a pathology such as folliculitis. What kind of illness is this, what are the causes of the disease and is it possible to cope with this problem?

What is folliculitis

Few people know that such a disease exists. Very often it affects people in certain professions, for example, miners, miners, mechanics, oil workers, because there are all the prerequisites for the development of pathology. But almost no one is immune from this disease.

Folliculitis on the skin is a purulent inflammatory process in the upper parts of the hair follicle. A papule is usually pink in color; an abscess gradually forms in the center of it, through which the hair passes. If the pathology forms on the face or other parts of the body, but not on the head, then the hair may not be visible.

The entire process of development of pathology takes several days, and then a crust forms, which most often disappears on its own.

Need to know. If the factors that provoke the development of folliculitis are not eliminated, the disease can become chronic.

Folliculitis belongs to the group of pyoderma, which is most often caused by staphylococci, fungi and some viruses.

Provoking factors of the disease

Inflammation of the hair follicle can occur for various reasons. To begin treatment, it is necessary to find out what caused the disease. Most often, provocateurs can be:

Violation of the integrity of the epidermis after shaving in men, hair removal, mechanical injuries.

Prolonged exposure to high or low temperatures.
Violation of personal hygiene rules.
Weak immunity.
Hyperhidrosis.
Chronic poisoning.
Lack of vitamins and minerals.
Increased sweating.
Presence of dermatitis or eczema.

There are also risk factors that can increase the likelihood of inflammation of the hair follicle:

Diabetes.
Diaper rash in skin folds (occurs especially often in hot climates).
Use of corticosteroid drugs.
Therapy with antibacterial agents.
Immunodeficiency.
Skin exposure to chemicals, such as lubricants, kerosene.

reading information

Classification of pathology

Depending on the severity of the lesion, staphylococcal folliculitis is divided into two forms:

Surface Shape: osteofolliculitis, superficial folliculitis, folliculitis decalvans.

Deep folliculitis: boil, carbuncle, undermining Hoffmann's folliculitis.

Staphylococcal folliculitis is usually located on the chin, around the eyes. Often affects men who grow a beard and mustache.

Manifestations of the disease depend on the severity of the follicle damage. If a superficial form is observed, then the disease is mild. A small abscess appears on the skin, which practically does not cause concern. Sometimes there may be slight soreness. A few days after its appearance, the abscess breaks out on its own, a crust forms, which gradually falls off.

Deep folliculitis is manifested by the formation of large ulcers, reaching a size of up to 10 cm in diameter, and pain is observed. Gradually the pathology disappears and a small scar remains in place.

Need to know. Folliculitis can be single or multiple. In the latter case, skin itching and enlargement of nearby lymph nodes are observed.

If folliculitis is not adequately treated, a complication may develop in the form of a carbuncle, boil, or abscess.

Treatment of folliculitis

How to treat folliculitis? Treatment of the disease depends entirely on the etiology. If the pathology is caused by fungi, then you cannot do without antifungal drugs; Staphylococcal folliculitis must be treated with antibiotics.

Treatment is carried out in several directions:

Drug therapy.
Physiotherapeutic methods.
Use of traditional medicine.

We treat folliculitis with medications

If the disease is mild, then you can get by with local medications., For example:

For staphylococcal folliculitis, treat the affected areas with antibacterial ointments, for example, Mupirocin. This must be done 2 times a day.

If the disease is caused by gram-negative bacteria, then the use of benzoyl peroxide topically is indicated.
Herpetic folliculitis can be treated using Acyclovir ointment.
For any form of the disease, use local antiseptics, for example, Fukortsin, Chlorhexidine.

Need to know. To prevent the spread of infection to healthy areas of the skin, it is necessary to treat them with boric or salicylic alcohol.

If treatment of inflammation of the hair follicle cannot be treated with local remedies, then you will have to resort to taking antibacterial drugs orally.

Antibiotics are also prescribed if:

The disease became chronic.
Inflammation of the lymph nodes is observed.
The process quickly spreads to neighboring areas.

If the infection is caused by staphylococcus, then the following is prescribed:

Cephalexin up to 4 times a day.

Erythromycin.
Minocycline if staphylococcus is resistant to other drugs.

Pseudomonas folliculitis, which occurs in severe form, requires taking Ciprofloxacin 500 mg 2 times a day.

For fungal folliculitis, the following is prescribed orally:

Itraconazole
Terbinafine.
Fluconazole.

The drug is selected depending on the type of bacteria. For herpetic folliculitis, antiviral agents are prescribed orally.

Any treatment must necessarily include the elimination of the provoking factor, for example, if diabetes mellitus aggravates the course of folliculitis, then it is necessary to carry out its therapy.

In severe cases of pathology, systemic therapy is required.

Need to know. Any form of folliculitis during therapy requires avoiding washing the affected areas with water and taking hot baths.

Treatment with physiotherapeutic methods

Physical therapy can greatly help in treating folliculitis. Physiotherapy has the following effects:

Relieves the inflammatory process.
Suppress the growth of pathogenic microorganisms.
Increases immunity.
Activate the process of formation of vitamin D in the skin.

The most commonly used methods are:

Exposure of lesions to short ultraviolet waves.
General Ural Federal District.
Low-intensity UHF therapy.
Laser treatment.

Magnetotherapy.
Dry heat.

Use of traditional medicine

Hoffmann's folliculitis and other forms can be treated using folk remedies, but they must complement the main drug therapy and must be agreed with the attending physician.

The following recipes have proven their effectiveness:

Use of chamomile decoction. It perfectly relieves inflammation.

You can take a decoction of burdock or dandelion root internally. To prepare the medicine, you need to take a tablespoon of raw material and add 0.5 liters of water, boil for 10 minutes. After 2 hours of infusion, take 50 ml 2 times a day.
For compresses on the affected areas, you can use thistle leaves; Unfortunately, this method can only be used in the summer. The leaves should be crushed and applied to the inflamed areas.
For compresses, baths and bandages, you can use a decoction of spiny root. To prepare it, you need to pour 50 grams of dry raw material with half a liter of water and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes, and then leave for 2 hours.

Forecast and prevention of the disease

Most often, it is quite possible to completely defeat the disease if therapy is started in a timely manner. If deep folliculitis is observed, then scars and areas of pigmentation may form at the site of the abscess.

If the therapy is chosen correctly, then it is possible to cope with the pathology in a few days. But the lack of effective treatment and non-compliance with doctor’s recommendations is fraught with the development of complications:

Furunculosis.
Abscess.
Lymphadenitis.
Folliculitis can result in dermatophytosis of the scalp.
The most serious complications include meningitis.

Preventive measures include:

Compliance with personal hygiene rules.
Correct selection of skin and hair care products.

When shaving, use special cosmetics.
Use antiseptic agents if even minor abrasions and damage appear on the skin.
You should not overuse antibacterial soap; it not only kills pathogenic bacteria, but also breaks the protective barrier.
Provide timely treatment for diseases that can trigger the development of folliculitis.

Any disease is easier to treat at the very beginning of the development of pathology. This directly applies to folliculitis. Treatment should be selected by a specialist taking into account the cause of the disease, then the effectiveness of therapy will be 100%.

Folliculitis is an inflammation of the hair follicle caused by infection with white or. Most often, the disease develops when personal hygiene measures are neglected. Infection can occur through microtraumas and cracks in the hair follicle area.

Causes

There are many reasons for the development of inflammation of the bulbs. And although folliculitis most often develops when basic personal hygiene measures are not properly observed. This reason is far from the leading one. Friction of the skin, for example, against clothing in the same place can cause microtrauma. They, in turn, are an open gate for the penetration of staphylococcus into the hair follicle.

In addition, inflammation of the bulb can occur with sudden hypothermia, poor nutrition and certain diseases. Most often, the development of folliculitis is promoted by diabetes, anemia and chronic liver diseases.

Depending on the cause of its occurrence, the disease takes one of many forms. Doctors highlight:

Folliculitis can be superficial and deep, single or multiple. In addition, inflammation of the bulbs can also develop as an occupational disease in people who constantly work with various lubricants. They have a detrimental effect on the skin, regularly polluting it. Under some conditions, ordinary folliculitis can develop into acute furunculosis.

Symptoms

With superficial folliculitis, the disease is usually mild. An abscess up to 5 mm in size is noted. at the location of the inflamed hair follicle. In this case, pain is either insignificant or completely absent. Over time, the abscess dries out on its own, forming a dark, flaky crust and slight skin pigmentation.

Deep folliculitis is characterized by the appearance of large (up to 100 mm) painful nodules on the skin, the center of which is located in the hair follicle itself and a noticeable abscess in the upper part. The abscess gradually matures and opens, forming a yellowish crust as it heals.

With occupational folliculitis, inflammation most often develops in areas of the skin that are often exposed to contamination: the forearms and hands. The peculiarity of the formation of professional folliculitis is the primary formation of a plug in the area where the hair enters the hair follicle. This further leads to the development of suppuration.

Treatment

Treatment of folliculitis involves carefully opening the abscess and removing the released pus with a sterile cotton swab. The skin around the site of inflammation should be lubricated with antiseptic solutions every day, several times. For example, an alcohol solution of brilliant green or fucorcin.

For deeper folliculitis, it is recommended to apply a compress with either ichthyol to the inflamed hair follicle. It is advisable to change such a compress several times a day. If the problem recurs or the disease becomes chronic, immunotherapy and antibiotics are recommended. The chronic course of folliculitis always indicates a decrease in the immune status of the human body.

Prevention

Preventing folliculitis is simple: you just need to follow a few simple rules of personal hygiene.

Rule 1. When coming to the pool or sauna, take an interest in the pH level of the water, as well as the degree of its chlorination. The proportion of chlorine in water should be at least half a gram per 1 liter, and the pH should not fall below 8. The correct parameters guarantee that there are no conditions for the rapid proliferation of Pseudomonas bacteria. This can significantly reduce the risk of infection.

Rule 2. Never use other people's towels, hygiene products, washcloths and other bath accessories.

Rule 3. Avoid traumatic skin damage. Especially damage caused by wearing tight underwear and clothing.

Inflammation of the hair follicle is a disease that is difficult to ignore. Folliculitis is an inflammation of the hair follicle with the formation of a purulent capsule, which gradually grows and increases in size. If not treated in a timely manner, the disease affects neighboring hair follicles.

The hair follicle is the root of the hair, which has a high regenerative ability. There may be several reasons for the occurrence of inflammatory processes in the follicle.

These are processes that are caused by the penetration deep into the follicle of pathogenic bacteria, fungi and other pathogens. Pathogens include staphylococcus bacteria, herpes virus, and ticks.

Poor hygiene

Frequent shaving of hair on the face, armpits or pubic area. Shaving against the grain of the hair tends to increase the appearance of ingrown hairs. These hairs become inflamed and provoke the development of folliculitis.

Wearing tight and synthetic underwear. Tight underwear also impedes normal hair growth, causing ingrown hairs. Synthetics, in turn, irritate and negatively affect the skin.

Pathologies and damage to the skin:

The most effective hair product, according to our readers, is the unique Hair MegaSpray; world-famous trichologists and scientists had a hand in its creation. The natural vitamin formula of the spray allows it to be used for all hair types. The product is certified. Beware of fakes. Hairdressers' opinion.. "

Injuries (scratches, bruises, abrasions).
Allergic reactions.
Abuse of corticosteroids.
Decreased immunity.
Diabetes.

External exposure to chemically aggressive substances (acids, alkalis, oils, gasoline, kerosene, etc.).

Infectious diseases

HIV

From the above list it follows that the disease can be triggered by the slightest scratch on the face, head or groin area. It is very important to identify the first symptoms of the disease.

Symptoms of the disease

In most cases, the disease manifests itself as local redness of the skin. Next, a blister of pus forms in the area of the hair follicle. After a certain period of time, the blister opens, and in its place a small ulcer appears. The ulcer becomes crusty, pigmented and scarred. The entire cycle of maturation and scarring of the abscess takes place in 6-7 days.

Inflammation of the hair follicles is usually observed in the face, scalp, groin, and armpits. It happens that purulent inflammation in women can be observed in the thighs and lower legs. Inflammatory processes are accompanied by pain, itching and the formation of red spots on the skin.

In advanced stages, the disease develops into furunculosis with acute purulent inflammation of tissues. If inflammatory processes occur in the groin, then it is difficult to get rid of them. Treatment is complicated by constant tissue friction when walking.

Medicine distinguishes the following types of folliculitis:

staphylococcal folliculitis (observed on the head, face, groin);
syphilitic folliculitis (accompanied by hair loss in the groin, head, beard and mustache);
candidal folliculitis (occurs with prolonged application of bandages);
pseudomonas folliculitis (appears after antibacterial therapy and taking a hot bath with chlorinated water);
dermatophytic folliculitis (affects the hair follicle and the hair shaft itself);
herpetic folliculitis (the skin becomes inflamed on the chin and in the area of the nasolabial triangle);
superficial pyoderma (proceeds with the formation of pustules).

If you notice the first symptoms of the disease, you should immediately contact a specialist who will prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Inflammation of the hair follicle - the fight against the disease

Treatment of the disease is prescribed by the attending physician after a complete examination and passing all the necessary tests. Therapy should be aimed at suppressing the infection that provoked the inflammatory process.

For a bacterial infection, antibiotic therapy is prescribed. Treatment is carried out using antibiotic-based ointments. The ointment is applied to the affected areas of the skin in the armpits, face, head, and groin. For staphylococcal infections, Erythromycin, Dicloxacillin, and Cephalexin are prescribed.

Treatment of fungal lesions is performed using antifungal drugs (Terbizil, Clotrimazole, Exoderil). The drug Acyclovir is used to combat herpetic folliculitis.

Local treatment is effective in the early stages of the disease. To prevent further spread of infection, the skin is treated with Fukortsin, brilliant green, salicylic, boric or camphor alcohol.

When candidal folliculitis occurs, treatment is carried out with Itraconazole.

Dermatophytic inflammations are relieved with Terbinafine. Additionally, immunomodulators, physiotherapy and ultraviolet irradiation are used.

Inflammation of the follicles does not pose a critical threat. However, in more advanced stages it can lead to serious pathologies and complications.

You can tell that you have folliculitis by the way pustules (small purulent formations) begin to appear in areas where hair grows. After some time, the pustule opens and ulcers appear in its place (they can be both quite large and small). When the ulcers begin to heal, a scar forms in their place.

To determine whether a patient has folliculitis or not, it will be necessary to undergo a procedure called dermatoscopy. Also, a dermatologist can give a referral for microscopic examination of smears from inflamed hair follicles and a study of the microbiology of one or more pustules.

Treatment for folliculitis is long-term. Therapy for the inflammatory process includes the use of antiseptic solutions for treating hair follicles - treatment with antibiotics (more details in the article).

Purulent skin disease - folliculitis

Folliculitis in dermatology is classified as one of the severe purulent skin diseases called pyoderma. Among the population, this disease occurs quite often - according to statistics, in 40 people out of 100. The disease is most common in countries with hot climates, where conditions contribute to the development of pathogens on the skin, their reproduction, and infection. In particular, if a person lives in unsanitary conditions and does not maintain hygiene, then inflammatory processes on the skin are a natural phenomenon.

Video: Squeezing out blackheads under a microscope

Why does folliculitis occur?

Folliculitis occurs on human skin under the influence of bacteria, viruses and infectious processes. The most harmless bacterium that causes folliculitis is staphylococcus. But it is possible that the cause of the formation of the inflammatory process can be bacteria of gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and ureaplasma.

Skin damage by bacteria of the genus Candida is also quite common (it is because of these bacteria that women develop thrush). Other causes of the inflammatory process may include:

The tick that causes the disease demodicosis is
Herpes and herpes zoster
Infectious processes that penetrate the skin through minor injuries in the form of wounds on the skin, scratches, abrasions, etc. -
Inflammations most often occur on skin already affected by dermatoses in the form of eczema, atopic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis. A characteristic sign will be that a person constantly scratches his skin.
In persons with oily skin, characterized by increased sweating.

Factors that provoke the inflammatory process

Factors that provoke an inflammatory process on human skin may be:

Video: 10 SCARY FACTS ABOUT POOLS. THIS IS INTERESTING

Decreased immunity as a result of diseases, chronic processes occurring in the body;
Diabetes;
HIV infection, AIDS;
Autoimmune diseases;
Treatment of a number of diseases with glucocorticosteroids, which reduce human immunity;
Unfavorable professional conditions for the patient - frequent skin contact with chemical materials, toxins, gases, lubricants, oils, gasoline, etc. It is not surprising that the phenomenon of occupational folliculitis often occurs among workers in the heavy chemical industry, tractor drivers, mechanics, and gas station employees.

Symptoms of the inflammatory process

Symptoms of folliculitis are quite pronounced already, starting from the 1st day of illness. If you look closely at the inflamed hair, the skin next to it will be reddish; around the hair there is a pustule with purulent contents. When the pustule opens, pus flows out of it and an ulcerative lesion forms at this site. After some time, the ulcer becomes covered with a dense dark crust.

If a patient's hair follicle is affected along its entire length, then a scar will appear in this place or a pigment spot will appear. If the damage to the follicle is shallow, then the likelihood of a scar occurring is quite low.

The duration of the inflammatory process of the hair follicle takes approximately 1 week - from the moment of inflammation, redness of the skin, formation of an abscess, its opening and covering with an ulcer.

Folliculitis in women

Why does folliculitis most often occur in women? The reason for this is quite simple - it is the fair sex who depilate the perineum, armpits, legs, thighs, and arms. As a result of inaccurate shaving, the use of low-quality razors, as well as the lack of disinfection after hair removal, an inflammatory process develops. In this case, with further hair growth, ingrowth of the hair follicle, pain, itching and burning in this area are observed.

Video: Boil popped up on the face nezdorov.com

The consequences of the absence of treatment for the inflammatory process of the hair follicle are the transition of the disease from folliculitis to carbuncle, abscess, phlegmon.

Treatment of folliculitis

If inflammation of the hair follicle occurs due to bacterial damage, then treatment occurs with antibiotics. In case of herpes damage to the hairs, it is treated with Acyclovir.

Video: chiri chiri pimple from acne from acne pimples pimples

At the first stage of the disease, treatment with brilliant green, iodine, fucarcin or alcohol (salicylic, boric) is allowed. Taken orally - Dicloxacillin, Erythromycin, Fluconazole, Terbinafine

Everything interesting

Video: Pyoderma pathogensVideo: Pyoderma Pyoderma (or pyodermatitis) is a large group of inflammatory skin diseases of an infectious nature. Most often, the disease is triggered by the introduction of microbes from outside that cause suppuration...

Video: Demodicosis: treatment of demodicosis Skin demodicosis is a disease that is characterized by damage to the epithelium by mites. Visually, demodicosis manifests itself in the form of severe acne, which spreads over the entire face, body, skin…

Phlegmon (from the Greek inflammation, heat) is a rather acute purulent inflammatory process that affects fatty tissue. There is no significant difference between phlegmon and an abscess. About the disease Phlegmon manifests itself with damage to a small area of skin,…

A furuncle in the nose is a purulent formation, which is characterized by an acute inflammatory process of the hair follicle and, accordingly, the sebaceous glands. Furuncles most often become inflamed on the wings of the nose, on the tip, as well as from the inside - in the nasal passages...

The skin of children, and especially teenagers, is prone to the formation of ulcers, pimples, and boils. It is immediately worth noting that this disease is not dangerous and threatens the life and health of the child. Boils are an unpleasant...

Video: Furuncle on the face - what is its DANGEROUS? Watch in this video We call it “you have a boil on your face,” but a dermatologist will say that you have a skin disease on your face - a boil. It doesn’t matter what exactly this one is called...

Periostitis of the jaw is a pathology characterized by the penetration of infection into the jaw and, as a result, following this, the development of the inflammatory process. With periostitis of the jaw, a painful purulent abscess forms in a person, which leads…

What is popularly called a pustule or an abscess in medical terms is defined as a chronic recurrent pathology, which most often occurs in women over the age of 40, and is classified as subcorneal pustulosis...

If an infection has entered the human body, this can result in a purulent-inflammatory lesion (disease) called erysipelas. It can be localized both on the face and on the arms, legs and other parts of the body. IN…

Anthrax is a serious and quite acute infectious process in its effects on the human body. The ulcer proceeds with a poisonous effect that affects the skin and internal organs. The origin of the name of the disease is associated with…