Folliculitis - causes, treatment and prevention
The inflammatory process of the skin that affects the hair follicles is an extremely unpleasant phenomenon. And it is completely in vain to think that it affects only unscrupulous and sloppy people, but ...
Very often this trouble strikes quite decent citizens. What causes folliculitis and how to deal with it?
Description
Being an infectious disease, this inflammation of the hair follicles affects not only the scalp, but also the beard, arms, armpits, legs and intimate area. In general, any place where hair grows can become its location. An infection that affects the follicles causes purulent processes in their middle and deep parts. Depending on the pathogen, the following varieties of this disease are distinguished:
- fungal;
- parasitic;
- viral;
- gonorrheal;
- bacterial.
In order for the infection to get inside the follicle, it is enough to have even the slightest abrasion, scratch or cut on the skin. When the first signs appear, you should immediately consult a doctor. The inflammation itself itself lasts a week of time, and without proper treatment of multiple lesions of the follicles on a large area of the body.
Risk zone
Both men and women who notice excessive sweating are at risk. 
There is also an increased risk of disease in people with pruritic dermatoses. Both sweating and dermatoses cause severe itching, leading to scratching of the skin. Combing, in turn, leads to a violation of the protective barrier shield of the skin and the creation of favorable conditions for the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into it.
An additional increased likelihood of folliculitis in people suffering from:
- diabetes mellitus;
- increased sweating;
- immunodeficiency.
In some cases, it can be a consequence of poor-quality depilation. It is often diagnosed in people whose professional activities involve working with harmful chemical compounds. Especially when it comes to kerosene, lubricants or technical oils.
Signs
When the disease is just beginning to develop, it manifests itself by the appearance of swelling around the follicles. A cone-shaped formation is formed around the hair growing from it, containing pus inside. Most often it is either white or yellowish green. 
Over time, this abscess opens and forms an ulcer, after drying, this place is covered with a crust. Such a rash is quite painful and is accompanied by severe itching in the area of the affected skin. If the infection is deep, scars may form after the crust falls off. In some cases, there is increased pigmentation of "recovered" skin areas.
Medical therapy
In most cases, doctors use topical preparations for the treatment of folliculitis - antiseptic ointments. If the inflammation has relapses, it is possible to use ultraviolet irradiation therapy. Procedures (they can be from 6 to 10) are performed every other day. 
In severe cases of the disease and large abscesses, antifungal spectrum drugs for internal use can be prescribed. In addition, as in the case of the treatment of a mild form of folliculitis, antibacterial treatment with ointments and serums of the skin surface is also carried out.
Preventive measures
The main preventive measures that reduce the risk of folliculitis are extremely simple:
- Compliance with hygiene rules;
- Timely skin and hair care.
It is also advisable not to wear too tight underwear and clothes in order to avoid damage to the naturally very delicate hair follicles.
Unfortunately, it is much easier to get sick than to recover. But, in the case of folliculitis, the chances of a successful recovery and quick treatment are great. Of course, if you do not delay the appeal to the doctor. Or maybe one of our readers has their own recommendations on how to protect themselves from this disease? Share them in the comments.