Hair
Superficial Folliculitis
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Superficial Folliculitis
, Folliculitis, Staphylococcal Folliculitis
Pathophysiology
Usually caused by
Bacterial Infection
Superficial inflammation of
Hair Follicle
Only upper
Hair Follicle
involved
Contrast with
Deep Folliculitis
Risk Factors
Local
Trauma
Abrasion
Surgical wounds or draining abscess
Shaving
Aggravates
Staphylococcus aureus
Folliculitis
Exposure to
Occlusive Dressing
Tar
Adhesive plaster
Plastic
Occlusive Dressing
s
Causes
See Folliculitis
Staphylococcal Folliculitis (most common)
Affects beard area (Folliculitis barbae)
Also affects axillae and legs
Aggravated by shaving
Pseudofolliculitis Barbae
Superficial Fungal Infection
Cutaneous Candidiasis
(Candida albicans)
Seen in febrile hospitalized patients
Acne Vulgaris
Keratosis Pilaris
Symptoms
Non-tender or minimally tender
Variably pruritic
Signs
Characteristics
Pustule
confined to
Hair Follicle
Hair Shaft
may be seen at center of lesion
Yellow or gray coloration with erythema
Distribution: Any skin bearing hair
Head and neck
Trunk
Buttocks
Extremities
Absent features
No associated fever or systemic symptoms
Differential Diagnosis
Beard area Folliculitis
See
Beard Dermatitis
Trunk Folliculitis
Tinea Corporis
(
Ringworm
)
Pustular
Miliaria
Not perifollicular
Occurs in hot, humid weather
Management
Gene
ral
Eliminate provocative agents (tar,
Mineral Oil
)
Keep affected areas clean
Apply
Mupirocin
ointment to affected areas
Consider warm, wet
Burow's Solution
Antibiotics
Dicloxacillin
250-500 mg PO qid for 10 days
Erythromycin
250-500 mg PO qid for 10 days
Topical Corticosteroid
s
Indicated for associated significant inflammation
Prevention (Suppression of infection)
Cleocin
T after shaving
Mupirocin
(
Bactroban
) in nostrils
Course
Heals without scarring
References
Fitzpatrick (1992) Color Atlas Dermatology
Habif (1996) Dermatology, p. 248-51
Stulberg (2002) Am Fam Physician 66(1):119-24 [PubMed]
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