Pseudofolliculitis barbae; Tinea barbae; Barber's itch

Hot, moist compresses may promote drainage of the affected follicles. Treatment may include antibiotics applied to the skin (mupirocin) or taken by mouth (dicloxacillin), or antifungal medications to control the infection.

Folliculitis usually responds well to treatment, but may come back.

• Folliculitis may return
• Infection may spread to other body areas

Apply home treatment and call your health care provider if symptoms come back frequently, if they last longer than 2 or 3 days, or if the infection spreads.

Images

Folliculitis on the leg

Folliculitis, decalvans on the scalp

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Folliculitis Symptoms

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Folliculitis Prevention

Review Date: 10/28/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)