3 Ways to Treat Folliculitis

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3 Ways to Treat Folliculitis
3 Ways to Treat Folliculitis

Video: 3 Ways to Treat Folliculitis

Video: 3 Ways to Treat Folliculitis
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Folliculitis, a bacterial or fungal infection of the hair follicles, usually manifests as a painful rash that causes itching and/or discharge around one or more infected follicles. The problem can be caused by a variety of pathogens and can develop to varying degrees of severity, thus having several treatment options. It doesn't matter if your case is mild or a skin emergency, start with step 1 below to get your skin better soon.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Treating Mild Folliculitis with Home Cures

Treat Folliculitis Step 1
Treat Folliculitis Step 1

Step 1. Wash the area periodically with antibacterial soap

Most cases of mild folliculitis go away alone. However, you can speed up this process by taking good care of the infected area: twice a day, use a mild antibacterial soap to clean the area and kill off the bacteria causing the problem. Rinse and dry with a clean, dry towel.

  • Wash carefully; don't use too much soap or scrub too much, or it can irritate the area, making redness and inflammation worse.
  • If you have folliculitis on your face, choose an antibacterial soap specifically labeled for facial use, which is usually milder than general use.
Treat Folliculitis Step 4
Treat Folliculitis Step 4

Step 2. Try making a simple salt water compress

Warm compresses are cloths or other absorbent materials dipped in warm liquid and held against the affected area to relieve irritation, promote drainage, and speed the healing process. Using salt water in the process adds an antibacterial benefit, however small. To create a salt water compress, first dissolve a few tablespoons of table salt in a cup or two of warm water. Dip a cotton ball or clean towel into the salt water and hold it firmly against the affected area.

Apply twice a day, morning and evening

Treat Folliculitis Step 2
Treat Folliculitis Step 2

Step 3. Moisten the area with warm water and aluminum acetate

Also known as Burow's solution, aluminum acetate is an astringent, antibacterial, and commonly used as an inexpensive over-the-counter treatment for many minor skin problems. It can be used to kill folliculitis-causing bacteria and reduce swelling in the area, decreasing irritation and speeding recovery.

  • To use it, just dissolve a packet in the recommended amount of warm water, dip a clean towel into the solution, wring it out and gently apply it to the affected area. Keep the towel on the spot, dipping it occasionally in the solution as needed.
  • When finished, wash the used container and wash the towel in cold water. Do not reuse the cloth without washing and drying it thoroughly beforehand.
Treat Folliculitis Step 3
Treat Folliculitis Step 3

Step 4. Treat with oats

Believe it or not, oats are often used as an ingredient in home remedies for skin irritations because of their anti-itch properties. Try soaking your body (or just the affected area) in a homemade oatmeal bath or covering the area with an oatmeal lotion. Enjoy the calming sensation of this product, but to avoid aggravating folliculitis, avoid prolonged exposure to even these mild solutions.

As stated above, use a clean towel to gently dry the affected area

Treat Folliculitis Step 5
Treat Folliculitis Step 5

Step 5. Consider using a holistic cure such as vinegar

Many skin conditions such as folliculitis are easy targets for a host of holistic or "natural" cures. Some practitioners swear they work, although they are generally not supported by traditional medicine. If you choose a holistic cure, use common sense: don't do anything that might aggravate your folliculitis, introduce more bacteria to the infected area, or prevent a cure. A holistic process involving vinegar is described below, and many others can be found with a simple online search.

Make a solution of two parts of warm water to one of white vinegar and mix well. Dip a clean towel into the solution, wring it out and apply to the affected area. Hold the swab in place for 5 to 10 minutes, occasionally dampening the towel in the solution as needed

Method 2 of 3: Treating folliculitis with medicinal options

Treat Folliculitis Step 6
Treat Folliculitis Step 6

Step 1. Do not hesitate to consult a doctor in the most serious cases

Folliculitis is usually no more than a minor, albeit painful, irritation. However, like all infections, there is always the chance that it will become more serious if left untreated. If yours doesn't seem to be getting better on its own, or if you develop more severe symptoms such as fever or severe irritation and swelling, see a doctor as soon as possible. Prevention is better than cure, and a timely medical visit can save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

You can go to a "normal" doctor, like a general practitioner or family doctor, and they can send you to a dermatologist

Treat Folliculitis Step 7
Treat Folliculitis Step 7

Step 2. Use hydrocortisone to reduce pain and itching

Try rubbing on 1% hydrocortisone cream 2-5 times a day or as needed to reduce pain. Apply the product directly to the affected area with your fingers or with a clean applicator. If you use your hands, wash and dry them first to avoid transferring bacteria to the wound.

Note that although hydrocortisone will reduce pain and inflammation, it will not fight bacteria

Treat Folliculitis Step 8
Treat Folliculitis Step 8

Step 3. Use over-the-counter anti-inflammatories/pain relievers

To reduce the symptoms associated with folliculitis, you can use one of several over-the-counter remedies to treat this condition. Cheap and common medications such as acetaminophen and aspirin can help with mild pain caused by folliculitis. Pain relievers with anti-inflammatory action such as ibuprofen are also great choices as they will not only help with the pain, but also temporarily lessen the inflammation that contributes to it.

While most over-the-counter pain relievers are quite safe in small doses, heavy or prolonged use can lead to serious problems such as liver damage, so always follow the instructions that come with the medications you buy

Treat Folliculitis Step 9
Treat Folliculitis Step 9

Step 4. Use antibiotics in serious cases

In cases of folliculitis that do not respond well to home care and cleaning, it may be necessary to treat the bacterial infection with antibiotics. The topics are available at most pharmacies, but the more powerful oral ones usually require a prescription and are reserved for severe cases.

Treat Folliculitis Step 10
Treat Folliculitis Step 10

Step 5. Use antifungals for folliculitis caused by these organisms

As mentioned in the introduction, some cases of folliculitis are caused not by bacteria but by fungi. In them, you will need to use an antifungal medication to treat the condition. These medications are available both topically and orally and, as with antibiotics, mild antifungals are available over-the-counter, while stronger ones need a prescription.

Treat Folliculitis Step 11
Treat Folliculitis Step 11

Step 6. Take the boils and carbuncles to be drained by medical professionals

In particularly severe cases, folliculitis can contribute to painful, pus-filled blisters and abscesses. If these arise, see a doctor. Although draining these abscesses speeds up the recovery process and reduces any scarring, it should not be done on its own, as trying to perforate and drain these conditions without the benefit of a sterile medical environment is an almost certain way to develop a secondary infection..

Method 3 of 3: Avoiding Behaviors That Cause Folliculitis

Treat Folliculitis Step 12
Treat Folliculitis Step 12

Step 1. Do not razor the area

Folliculitis is often caused by irritation from using razors or unsanitary hair removal practices. If you have folliculitis in the skin below the beard or in another area that regularly shaves, give that area a rest. Persistent use of the razor can irritate the area and even spread the problem from one part of the hair to another.

If you need to shave, keep irritation to a minimum. Try using an electric shaver and shave in the direction of the hair growth rather than against it. Use a clean razor each time you shave

Treat Folliculitis Step 13
Treat Folliculitis Step 13

Step 2. Don't touch the spot

Fingers and hands are among the most common vectors for bacteria, which means they carry and transmit them just as an airplane carries and transmits people. Although the area may itch or burn, it's important to resist the urge to scratch or poke at it. Treat it like forbidden territory, touching it only to apply soap, topical remedies, or compresses.

Treat Folliculitis Step 14
Treat Folliculitis Step 14

Step 3. Don't wear tight clothing

The mechanical action of clothing rubbing against the skin throughout the day can cause chafing and irritation and lead to infections. In addition, these can also arise if some tissue prevents air from reaching the skin. If you are prone to folliculitis, wear soft, loose-fitting clothing to minimize potential irritation.

Also avoid wetting clothing around areas affected by folliculitis. Wet clothing tends to stick to the skin, increasing the risk of irritation

Treat Folliculitis Step 15
Treat Folliculitis Step 15

Step 4. Don't expose your skin to irritating substances

Everyone's skin is different; some are susceptible to itchiness and pimples, while others are more resistant. If you are prone to folliculitis, avoid coming into contact with substances that you know are likely to irritate you, especially those to which you are allergic, as the irritation can lead to an infection or delay the process of healing an existing infection.

You should, for example, avoid certain cosmetics, oils, lotions and others

Treat Folliculitis Step 16
Treat Folliculitis Step 16

Step 5. Do not swim or bathe in untreated water

Swimming, bathing, or otherwise entering impure water, such as unchlorinated bathtub water, is an easy way to catch folliculitis. Some of the bacteria that cause this problem, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are easy to spread through dirty water. If you are prone to folliculitis, do not get in untreated standing water.

Treat Folliculitis Step 17
Treat Folliculitis Step 17

Step 6. Don't rely too much on topical steroid creams

Some medical treatments, when used for a long time, can increase the risk of folliculitis. Topical steroid creams such as hydrocortisone in particular can contribute to these infections. The paradox is that topical hydrocortisone is itself a common treatment for mild folliculitis. If you are using it to treat your problem, make an appointment with a doctor if you don't see improvement, as procrastinating and relying too much on steroid creams can make the infection worse.

Treat Folliculitis Step 18
Treat Folliculitis Step 18

Step 7. Don't let existing wounds become infected

Hair follicles can inflame and become infected if nearby wounds are irritated or spread. Therefore, you need to treat any skin infections quickly and professionally. Don't let them get out of control, as they're much easier to treat when they're small and localized than when they're spread out.

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