Folliculitis is the infection and inflammation of one or more hair follicles. The condition may occur anywhere on hair-covered skin. The rash may appear as pimples that come to white tips on the face, chest, back, arms, legs, buttocks, or head.Although acne can often involve superficial infection and inflammation of some hair follicles, the condition of those follicles is usually not called folliculitis, as that term is usually reserved for the separate set of disease entities comprising infected and inflamed hair follicles with causes other than acne. Signs and symptoms
Rash (reddened skin area)
Itching skin
Pimples or pustules located around a hair or follicle; may be confused with chicken pox
May crust over
Typically occur on neck, armpit, or groin
May present as genital lesions
Spreading from leg to arm to body through improper treatment with antibiotics

Complications
This condition can develop into a more severe skin condition, such as cellulitis or abscess. Causes
Most carbuncles, boils, and other cases of folliculitis are infected with Staphylococcus aureus.Folliculitis starts with the introduction of a skin pathogen to a hair follicle. Hair follicles can also be damaged by friction from clothing, an insect bite, blockage of the follicle, shaving, or braids that are very tight and close to the scalp. The damaged follicles are then infected by Staphylococcus spp. Folliculitis can affect people of all ages.Iron-deficiency anemia is sometimes associated with chronic cases. Bacterial
Staphylococcus aureus folliculitis
Hot-tub folliculitis is caused by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The folliculitis usually occurs after sitting in a hot tub that was not properly cleaned before use.
Oil folliculitis is inflammation of hair follicles due to exposure to various oils, and typically occurs on forearms or thighs. It is common in refinery workers, road workers, mechanics, and sheep shearers. Even makeup may cause it. Malignancy may also be represented by recalcitrant cases. Treatment
Most simple cases resolve on their own, but first-line treatments are typically topical medications. Topical antiseptic treatment is adequate for most cases. Topical antibiotics, such as mupirocin or neomycin/polymyxin B/bacitracin ointment may be prescribed. Oral antibiotics may also be used. Some patients may benefit from systemic narrow-spectrum penicillinase-resistant penicillins (such as dicloxacillin in the US or flucloxacillin in UK). Fungal folliculitis may require an oral antifungal such as fluconazole. Topical antifungals such as econazole nitrate may also be effective.Folliculitis may recur even after symptoms have gone away. See also
Ingrown hair
Keratosis

References
External links

Folliculitis Treatments
Malassezia (Pityrosporum) Folliculitis Treatment & Management