{"id":6290,"date":"2019-05-02T03:32:20","date_gmt":"2019-05-02T03:32:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=6290"},"modified":"2021-04-01T20:43:15","modified_gmt":"2021-04-01T20:43:15","slug":"14-common-signs-of-folliculitis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-common-signs-of-folliculitis\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Common Signs of Folliculitis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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During the skin condition known as folliculitis, hair follicles anywhere on the body become inflamed and sore. The condition is usually caused by a bacterial or fungal infection and is characterized by certain features. In the early stages, the infection may appear as a collection of small red bumps or pimples with whiteheads. These clusters around hair follicles can spread and progress into crusty, pus-oozing sores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, the condition is more embarrassing than anything else, although I can itchy and very sore. The condition is far from life-threatening, however, serious infections may result in permanent hair loss and\/ or some moderate scarring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Usually, someone can expect the infection to clear up in just a couple of days. This is achievable with self-care routines and improvements in hygiene, although were serious or recurring cases of folliculitis are concerned, seeing a health professional for an opinion and potentially a prescription is a good idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1.     Clusters of small red bumps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first sign that someone suffering from folliculitis will notice is the appearance of a cluster of small red bumps. These red bumps may look like shaving rash <\/a>or resemble something like a nettle sting, but the progression of the symptoms will eventually leave one in little doubt about this being folliculitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The appearance of any kind of abnormal symptom on the skin can be troubling, and many people choose to hide the symptom away, through embarrassment. The truth is that there are many reasons why someone could develop a small cluster of red bumps and that the best plan of action is to first ascertain what is causing them and then secondly to treat them in an appropriate manner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ignoring the arrival of this common sign of folliculitis will only result in the condition worsening and an extension in the time it takes for a person to feel fully recovered. If you see some small red bumps, do something about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2.     Pus-filled blisters appearing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The small red bumps that signaled the arrival of folliculitis can soon seem rather trivial, as the condition develops from the early stages and progresses to the point where these red bumps evolve and become pus-filled blisters<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a particularly unpleasant thing to witness, especially when it is happening on your body, The blisters can vary in size from person to person, though they are usually of a consistent size for each individual. The blister formation can be irritating but is not usually especially painful for a sufferer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned before, it can be quite embarrassing at this stage, and regular people find that their daily schedules are interrupted somewhat, as they hide their bodies and the infected areas away from the rest of the world. It’s unlikely for instance, that you’re going to head to the pool in a pair of trunks if your groin is full of pus-filled blisters. Nice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3.     Blisters break<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The next stage of the blister’s development is, unfortunately, a pretty unavoidable common sign of folliculitis<\/a>. Once the blisters are there, you need to let them run their course in their own sweet time, as trying to hurry the process along unnaturally could cause further irritation and aggravation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just let those little guys do their thing. Their thing, in this case, is breaking up. The temptation may have been there in the early stages to get a pin or a needle and pop those bad boys, but this would’ve been ill-informed. The blisters will break when they’re good and ready, not when it suits you. The breaking process can be encouraged, not forced, by taking hot baths and allowing the affected area to soak in clean, hot water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure the skin is dried thoroughly afterward though, or the problem could be exacerbated by a measure such as this. Ice may seem like a good idea, but this could actually slow down the progress of the blisters, and you want them gone as quickly as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4.     Blisters crust over<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Almost spelling the end of the blister cycle is the crusty stage. This is another particularly gross part of the process, however, it does signal that the blisters should be clearing up soon. After they’ve swelled<\/a>, burst and oozed, it’s time for those little fellas to crust on over. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A little bit like the scabbing process, expect a hard, flaky crust to develop over the site of each blister. Hard and flaky crusts belong on delicious pies and not all over your body, but there\u2019s not really any getting away from this. It\u2019s all part of the journey that has to be endured. The crusty coverings are usually a yellowish color, and should not be picked or flicked at under any circumstances. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trust your body, it knows what it\u2019s doing and it doesn\u2019t need you and your impatience messing up the whole process. As tempting as it may be to give the crustiness a bit of a pick, resist the urge at all costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5.     Itchy, burning skin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Usually, the itchy <\/a>and burning sensation that can be felt across the skin at an affected area is one of the earliest signs that a break out of folliculitis is on the way. You can look at it in two ways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Either this is the first frost of winter, before the really harsh weather sets in, or it’s the first flowers of spring before everything starts to bloom and flourish. Neither analogy is particularly favorable, but at least it might take your mind off the incessant itchiness coming from the soon to be blistered up region of your body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The nature of folliculitis is that it likes to develop in some of our most intimate areas, and so it means that having a good old scratch in public is going to result in more than a few sideways glances and shakes of the head. The old mantra about never scratching your chickenpox works here too, even though scratching an itch can sometimes feel so good.
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6.     Painful, tender skin<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The skin of an affected site will definitely feel painful and tender for at least some part of the infection <\/a>process. It\u2019s unfortunate but when undergoing any kind of significant change, the body\u2019s pain receptors are sent into a state of panic and the brain is told in no uncertain terms that this kinda hurts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tenderness can make tightly fitting clothes and even walking pretty painful to endure and so a person\u2019s dress sense and walking style may need a little bit of a shakeup. Guys, we\u2019re not suggesting you start walking around like John Wayne in a sarong, but think about it a little, you don\u2019t need a chafe to go with the existing painfulness and tenderness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the unluckiest of folliculitis sufferers, the pain and tenderness will persist from beginning to end of the infection, even lingering around for a few days after the blisters have disappeared entirely. Give it time and the pain will subside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7.     Large swollen bump or mass<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a fairly common sign of folliculitis, affecting around half of all sufferers. It could be a lot more prevalent, but the embarrassing nature of the condition makes finding willing volunteers, who want to share their experiences, quite an uphill task for any researchers, medical or otherwise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A swollen bump or unidentifiable mass, that appears without any real reason is something that can never be ignored, no matter how self-conscious someone is feeling about their folliculitis. In many cases, the bump is part and parcel of this mild skin <\/a>infection and is just a swelling that comes along with it, however, the potential for the mass to be related to something else entirely means that absolutely anyone who finds one, should go and get it checked it out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In most cases, it will be part of the folliculitis, as it almost sounds too coincidental that a person would come down with two ailments simultaneously, but just to put your mind at rest, you should always get that bump looked at.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8.     Low mood<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wherever visible changes to the body occur as part of an illness or injury<\/a>, the associated changes to a person\u2019s mood should never be overlooked. Feeling embarrassed or slightly self-conscious about the red bumps on your body is just the tip of the iceberg and the psychological impact can affect a person-way below the surface. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To use the iceberg analogy, if what you can see is the embarrassment, withdrawal, and shyness, underneath the surface, where the majority of the iceberg actually is, there is likely to be more severe feelings, or at least the potential for these to develop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Self-loathing, depression, anxiety, and feelings of hopelessness are very possible, but it is important to remember that conditions like folliculitis are only temporary and that the vast majority of people in the world will experience mild conditions like this at some point in their lives. If a person is feeling really low, they should always try and speak to someone about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Hot Tub Rash<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before you think about climbing in the hot tub with your partner at your mountain getaway, check for a maintenance schedule. Pseudomonas bacteria that cause folliculitis is prevalent in many hot tubs and saunas across the country that don\u2019t have a regular maintenance schedule.
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If the resort owner does not regulate the pH and chlorine levels of the pool, then the water may become contaminated <\/a>with the bacteria. As a result, when you climb into the tub with your partner, the bacteria may interact with the other bacteria on your skin, causing an outbreak of folliculitis to occur a few hours after exposure. If you find a hot tub in your suite, call housekeeping and ask them when the hot tub was last maintained and what the staff do to sterilize it after every use.
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Many resorts and spas cover their hot tubs between use, and the dark, warm water provides an ideal breeding ground for pseudomonas bacteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Razor Bumps and Barbers Itch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The bacterium, \u201cpseudofolliculitis barbae,\u201d is responsible for the development of the condition known as \u201crazor bumps,\u201d or \u201cbarbers itch.\u201d The term, \u201cbarbers itch,\u201d comes from a time when barbers did not dip their razors in barbercide before shaving people\u2019s necks and faces.
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As a result, some customers with sensitive skin would develop folliculitis, due to the presence of additional pseudofolliculitis barbae bacteria on the blade. Some men still develop this condition today when they shave against the grain. The follicles become clogged, and they show signs of irritation <\/a>and swelling that lead to the development of folliculitis.
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Women who receive bikini waxes may also develop razor bumps from shaving. For the most part, this condition only produces mild symptoms of discomfort. Those people who develop ingrown hairs from improper shaving may need to remove the hair from the follicle to prevent the reoccurrence of the disorder. Rubbing moisturizing cream into the affected area will also help to reduce symptoms of pain and irritation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Fever and Chills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Folliculitis may present complications to patients where the inflamed follicles become infected with bacteria. Infections with Staphylococcus bacteria may turn nasty, and the patient may start to experience difficulties with their condition as the bacteria spread.
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Staph infection can produce boils and sores on the skin while inducing symptoms of fever. Fever occurs when the body tries to defend itself against invading diseases. The brain signals the nervous system, to turn up the body temperature <\/a>to stop the spread of the pathogen.
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As a result, the patient starts to develop a fever. Most fevers associated with a staph infection are mild, but in severe cases, the patient may run a high fever that also comes with chills. Chills occur when the body lags behind the new temperature setpoint set by the CNS.
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As a result, the patient feels cold, even though their body temperature is higher than usual. The fever and chills subside after the patient receives treatment with antibiotics to kill the invading bacteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Complications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Folliculitis typically clears up on its own after a week or so. However, in some cases, the infection may persist for some time and result in complications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the type of bacteria responsible for the infection, the patient may experience severe symptoms of pain and discomfort. These symptoms lead to fever, chills, and sore joints, as the immune system<\/a> fights the disease, preventing it from spreading in the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While the follicles remain inflamed and infected, they are at risk of contracting a more severe bacterium, such as Staphylococcus aureus. Staph infection is highly contagious, and you will pass it on to anyone that comes in contact with your body fluids or skin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors treat staph infection using antibiotics. However, some strains of the bacteria are now resistant to treatment with antibiotics, and patients may experience prolonged periods of disease that may last for months on end. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The sores caused by staph folliculitis may also produce boils and carbuncles. These skin disorders occur when the hair follicles become deeply infected with staph bacteria. Boils arise on their own, while carbuncles are a clust6er of boils.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Risk Factors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Folliculitis can affect anyone at any age, regardless of race or skin type. The bacteria that cause the condition lurk in various places we would not expect to find them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you become infected with folliculitis bacteria, then the chances are you are partaking in high-risk activities that predispose you to a higher chance of catching the condition. If you find yourself in any of the high-risk categories for folliculitis infection listed below, make sure you increase your preventative measures to avoid the disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Using public swimming pools and hot tubs that do not have adequate cleaning services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Using barber services that do not offer barbercide for scissors and razors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    People with weakened immune systems are more prone to infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0People who are living with acne or dermatitis <\/a>are also at high risk of developing folliculitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Men with curly hair that shave are at high risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022    Using the improper waxing technique or wearing tight, restrictive clothing that blocks sweat glands may cause the onset of the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Prevention Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, it\u2019s possible to reduce your risk of developing folliculitis by carefully monitoring your behavior and hygiene \u2013 especially when using facilities outside of your home. Follow these prevention tips to ensure that you never have to deal with a case of folliculitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avoid shaving clean if you have curly hair on your face. This strategy prevents ingrown hairs from occurring. Women who wax should use a professional service or avoid waxing themselves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use after-shave and moisturizer to reduce the effects of razor burn and prevent outbreaks of folliculitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wash your skin with anti-bacterial <\/a>soap before shaving, and then rehydrate using a formulation that protects your skin from bacterial infection. Raise the hairs on your skin by rubbing with a damp washcloth before shaving.
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Avoid sharing razors or towels with other people \u2013 even your partner.
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Keep hot tubs and saunas clean to prevent the growth of the bacteria responsible for folliculitis.
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