Although cold weather is upon us and you’re trading in tanks for sweaters and shorts for jeans, having clear, healthy skin is still a necessity, but for some, it can feel like a luxury that they will never achieve. Skin conditions can range from acne to rosacea to inflammation causing disorders. How these disorders are created is important to understanding folliculitis.
When you look at your skin, you may notice things such as dryness, freckles, or other surface level concerns. When you take a closer look, however, you’ll notice things such as pores and hair follicles. Folliculitis is a type of skin inflammation that is caused when your hair follicles because clogged and infected which encourages tiny pimples to grow. Often, these pimples don’t have any symptoms, but for some patients, they may burn, itch, or excrete pus. Although you can get folliculitis on virtually any part of your body that has hair, it’s most common on the face, scalp, groin, and thighs.
How Is It Caused?
Your skin is a very sensitive organ that can easily be exacerbated by small changes in your routine such as a new lotion, new body wash, excessive sweat, or even new laundry detergent. Patients who have folliculitis, typically develop it from makeup, motor oil, tar, wearing tight clothes, bathing in unsanitary hot tubs or pools, having an infected wound, or having a weakened immune system.
A common type of folliculitis is called “hot tub folliculitis” which causes small pimples to form on the stomach, arms, or legs around 72 hours after a person has been in a hot tub.
Understanding Folliculitis Treatment
The good news is that for many patients, folliculitis subsides on its own in just a couple of weeks. To help alleviate your symptoms, you can apply a compress to your skin. If your symptoms worsen or persist, Dr. Toni Stockton may recommend an antibiotic or antifungal cream.
If you suffer from any of the folliculitis symptoms listed above, make sure to schedule an appointment with Dr. Toni Stockton at our Phoenix office today!
