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Folliculitis, decalvans on the scalp
Folliculitis, decalvans on the scalp
Folliculitis on the leg
Folliculitis on the leg
OverviewSymptomsTreatmentPrevention

Folliculitis

Definition:
Folliculitis is inflammation of one or more hair follicles. The condition may occur anywhere on the skin.


Alternative Names:
Pseudofolliculitis barbae; Tinea barbae; Barber's itch

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Folliculitis starts when hair follicles are damaged by friction from clothing, blockage of the follicle, or shaving. In most cases of folliculitis, the damaged follicles are then infected with the bacteria Staphylococcus (staph).

Barber's itch is a staph infection of the hair follicles in the bearded area of the face, usually the upper lip. Shaving aggravates the condition. Tinea barbae is similar to barber's itch, but the infection is caused by a fungus.

Pseudofolliculitis barbae is a disorder occurring primarily in Black men. If curly beard hairs are cut too short, they may curve back into the skin and cause inflammation.



Review Date: 4/17/2003
Reviewed By: Michael Lehrer, M.D., Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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