Hair
Pseudofolliculitis Barbae
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Pseudofolliculitis Barbae
, Razor Bumps
See Also
Skin of Color
Folliculitis
Pathophysiology
As per the name, not a
Folliculitis
Tightly curled hair penetrates skin when shaved
Results in local, foreign-body inflammatory response
Epidemiology
Most common in black men (45-85%
Prevalence
) and hispanic men
Women may also be affected in areas of shaving
Signs
Hyperpigmented
Papule
s and
Pustule
s in beard and other areas of shaving
Distribution
Men: Beard area
Women: Face, axilla and suprapubic region
Management
Gene
ral Measures
Most effective treatment and prevetion of recurrence is to stop hair removal
Consider permanent hair reduction
Optimize shaving technique
Avoid a close shave (leave hairs at least 0.5 mm long)
Use hair clippers or a single-blade razor
Depilatories may be used if not irritating
Shave in
Hair Growth
direction
Avoid pulling hair taught while shaving
Loosen embedded hairs prior to shaving (e.g. brush, apply compresses, or rub with towel)
Avoid plucking hair
Management
Medications
Mild to medium potency
Topical Corticosteroid
s applied immediately after shaving
Topical
Benzoyl Peroxide
2.5% applied in morning
Topical
Retina
A 0.025% applied at night
Antibiotics indicated if secondary infection
Complications
Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation
Hypertrophic Scar
s or
Keloid
s
Secondary infection
References
Kundu (2013) Am Fam Physician 87(12): 859-65 [PubMed]
Quarles (2007) Dermatol Ther 17(2): 158-63 [PubMed]
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