Definition

Folliculitis is inflammation or infection of one or
more hair follicles (openings in the skin that enclose hair).

Description

Folliculitis can affect both women and men at any
age. It can develop on any part of the body, but is most
likely to occur on the scalp, face, or parts of the arms,
armpits, or legs not usually covered by clothing.

Small, yellowish-white blister-like lumps (pustules)
surrounded by narrow red rings are usually present with
both bacterial folliculitis and fungal folliculitis. Hair can
grow through or alongside of the pustules, which sometimes
ooze blood-stained pus.

Folliculitis can cause boils and, in rare instances,
serious skin infections. Bacteria from folliculitis can enter
the blood stream and travel to other parts of the body.

Causes and symptoms

Folliculitis develops when bacteria, such as Staphylococcus,
or a fungus enters the body through a cut,
scrape, surgical incision, or other break in the skin near a
hair follicle. Scratching the affected area can trap fungus
or bacteria under the fingernails and spread the infection
to hair follicles on other parts of the body.

The bacteria that cause folliculitis are contagious. A
person who has folliculitis can infect others who live in
the same household.

Factors that increase the risk of developing folliculitis
include: