Smoothy Slim
Photo by Anna Nekrashevich Pexels Logo Photo: Anna Nekrashevich

What causes itchy pimple like bumps?

Bacterial folliculitis. This common type is a rash of itchy, pus-filled bumps. It occurs when hair follicles become infected with bacteria, usually Staphylococcus aureus (staph). Staph bacteria live on the skin all the time. And they can cause problems when they enter the body through a cut or other wound.

Can detox make you sick?
Can detox make you sick?

Detox pills and diets can use a variety of substances to "purge" the body of toxins. The laxatives, supplements, and even the "helpful" bacteria...

Read More »
How can I increase my metabolism as I age?
How can I increase my metabolism as I age?

How Can You Prevent Your Metabolism Slowing Down With Age? Try Resistance Training. Resistance training, or weight lifting, is great for preventing...

Read More »
Purple mojito “devours” 57lbs of flab?
Purple mojito “devours” 57lbs of flab?

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Overview

Folliculitis is a common skin condition that happens when hair follicles become inflamed. It's often caused by an infection with bacteria. At first it may look like small pimples around the tiny pockets from where each hair grows (hair follicles). The condition can be itchy, sore and embarrassing. The infection can spread and turn into crusty sores. Mild folliculitis will likely heal without scarring in a few days with basic self-care. More-serious or repeat infections may need prescription medicine. Left untreated, severe infections can cause permanent hair loss and scarring. Certain types of folliculitis are known as hot tub rash and barber's itch.

Symptoms

Folliculitis Open pop-up dialog box Close Folliculitis Folliculitis Superficial folliculitis can look like a pus-filled bump. Hot tub folliculitis Open pop-up dialog box Close Hot tub folliculitis Hot tub folliculitis Hot tub folliculitis causes round, itchy bumps that may later develop into small pus-filled blisters. The rash is likely to be worse in areas where your swimsuit holds water against the skin. Pseudofolliculitis barbae Open pop-up dialog box Close Pseudofolliculitis barbae Pseudofolliculitis barbae Razor bumps affect people with curly beards. The condition is also called pseudofolliculitis barbae. It develops when shaved hairs curve back into the skin, leading to inflammation. Carbuncle Open pop-up dialog box Close Carbuncle Carbuncle A carbuncle is a cluster of boils — painful, pus-filled bumps — that form a connected area of infection under the skin.

Folliculitis signs and symptoms include:

Clusters of small bumps or pimples around hair follicles

Pus-filled blisters that break open and crust over

Itchy, burning skin

Painful, tender skin

An inflamed bump

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment with your health care provider if your condition is widespread or the symptoms don't go away after a week or two of self-care measures. You may need a prescription-strength antibiotic or antifungal medication to help control the condition. Seek immediate medical care if you experience signs of a spreading infection. These include a sudden increase in redness or pain, fever, chills, and a feeling of being unwell (malaise).

Types of folliculitis

The two main types of folliculitis are superficial and deep. The superficial type involves part of the follicle, and the deep type involves the entire follicle and is usually more severe.

Types of folliculitis, with the most common listed first, include:

Bacterial folliculitis. This common type is a rash of itchy, pus-filled bumps. It occurs when hair follicles become infected with bacteria, usually Staphylococcus aureus (staph). Staph bacteria live on the skin all the time. And they can cause problems when they enter the body through a cut or other wound. This common type is a rash of itchy, pus-filled bumps. It occurs when hair follicles become infected with bacteria, usually Staphylococcus aureus (staph). Staph bacteria live on the skin all the time. And they can cause problems when they enter the body through a cut or other wound. Hot tub rash (pseudomonas folliculitis). This type is a rash of round, itchy bumps that can show up 1 to 2 days after exposure to the bacteria that causes it. Hot tub folliculitis is caused by pseudomonas bacteria, which can be found in hot tubs, water slides and heated pools in which the chlorine and pH levels aren't correct. This type is a rash of round, itchy bumps that can show up 1 to 2 days after exposure to the bacteria that causes it. Hot tub folliculitis is caused by pseudomonas bacteria, which can be found in hot tubs, water slides and heated pools in which the chlorine and pH levels aren't correct. Razor bumps (pseudofolliculitis barbae). This rash can look like folliculitis but it's caused by ingrown hairs, not infected follicles. It mainly affects people with curly hair who shave too close and is most noticeable on the face and neck. People who get bikini waxes may get razor bumps in the groin area.

How many beets per day?
How many beets per day?

Dose of beets is based generally on their nitrate content. The ideal content is between 6.4 and 12.8 mg per kg of beets. To put it in layman terms,...

Read More »
How do you fix low potassium?
How do you fix low potassium?

Hypokalemia means low blood potassium levels. Your body needs potassium to function correctly. It gets potassium through the food you eat. ......

Read More »
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

This rash can look like folliculitis but it's caused by ingrown hairs, not infected follicles. It mainly affects people with curly hair who shave too close and is most noticeable on the face and neck. People who get bikini waxes may get razor bumps in the groin area. Pityrosporum (pit-ih-ROS-puh-rum) folliculitis. This type is a rash of itchy, pus-filled bumps, most often on the back and chest. It's caused by a yeast infection. This type is a rash of itchy, pus-filled bumps, most often on the back and chest. It's caused by a yeast infection. Gram-negative folliculitis. This type causes pus-filled bumps around the nose and mouth. It sometimes develops in people who are receiving long-term antibiotic therapy for acne. This type causes pus-filled bumps around the nose and mouth. It sometimes develops in people who are receiving long-term antibiotic therapy for acne. Eosinophilic (e-o-sin-o-FILL-ik) folliculitis. This type causes intense itching and recurring patches of bumps and pimples that form near hair follicles of the face and upper body. It mainly affects people with HIV / AIDS . The cause of this condition isn't fully understood. This type causes intense itching and recurring patches of bumps and pimples that form near hair follicles of the face and upper body. It mainly affects people with / . The cause of this condition isn't fully understood. Boils (furuncles) and carbuncles. These occur when hair follicles become deeply infected with staph bacteria. A boil tends to appear suddenly as a painful inflamed bump. A carbuncle is a cluster of boils. These occur when hair follicles become deeply infected with staph bacteria. A boil tends to appear suddenly as a painful inflamed bump. A carbuncle is a cluster of boils. Sycosis barbae. This type affects people who shave. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form. From Mayo Clinic to your inbox Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. Email ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe! Thank you for subscribing! You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry

Causes

Can Rice make you fat?
Can Rice make you fat?

In short, rice may lead to weight gain if it is eaten with a less nutritious diet, but it can help contribute to weight management if eaten as part...

Read More »
What is not allowed on clean eating diet?
What is not allowed on clean eating diet?

Clean eating is traditionally defined as eating simple, whole foods without any artificial ingredients. This typically involves the elimination of...

Read More »
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days

Contains a potent powdered supplement blended right into water or your favored beverage to be appreciated as a scrumptious morning smoothy.

Learn More »

Folliculitis Open pop-up dialog box Close Folliculitis Folliculitis When hair follicles are damaged, they may be invaded by viruses, bacteria and fungi. This can lead to development of folliculitis. Superficial folliculitis affects the upper part of the hair follicle and the skin around the follicle. Deep folliculitis affects more of the follicle or even all of it. Folliculitis is often caused when hair follicles are infected with bacteria, commonly Staphylococcus aureus (staph). It may also be caused by viruses, fungi, parasites, medications or physical injury. Sometimes the cause isn't known.

Risk factors

Anyone can develop folliculitis. Certain factors increase the risk of getting it, including: Regularly wearing clothing that traps heat and sweat, such as rubber gloves or high boots Soaking in a hot tub, whirlpool or public pool that's not maintained well Causing damage to hair follicles through shaving, waxing, wearing tight clothes or hair styling practices such as traction, wigs and oils Using some medications, such as corticosteroid creams, prednisone, long-term antibiotic therapy for acne and certain chemotherapy drugs

Having dermatitis or excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)

Having diabetes, HIV / AIDS or another condition that lowers your resistance to infections

Complications

Possible complications of folliculitis include:

Recurrent or spreading infection

Permanent scarring

Patches of skin that are darker (hyperpigmentation) or lighter (hypopigmentation) than before the condition occurred, usually temporary

Destruction of hair follicles and permanent hair loss

Prevention

You can try to prevent folliculitis by using these tips:

What happens when you go on a juice cleanse?
What happens when you go on a juice cleanse?

Potential downsides of juicing Most people who do juice cleanses don't eat enough solid food to meet their energy needs. Consider how a 10-day...

Read More »
Does hard boiled egg diet work?
Does hard boiled egg diet work?

BOTTOM LINE: Although the boiled egg diet encourages eating healthy food groups and may promote short-term weight loss, it's overly restrictive and...

Read More »
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days
Strange purple cocktail removes 2.7lbs every 4 days

Contains a potent powdered supplement blended right into water or your favored beverage to be appreciated as a scrumptious morning smoothy.

Learn More »
How can I clean my stomach naturally?
How can I clean my stomach naturally?

Before eating in the morning, mix 2 teaspoons salt with lukewarm water. People often use sea salt or Himalayan salt. Drink water quickly on an...

Read More »
Fizzy juice “eats through” 59lbs of stubborn fat
Fizzy juice “eats through” 59lbs of stubborn fat

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »
Do beets stain your colon?
Do beets stain your colon?

Yes, eating beets or drinking beet juice can give your urine and/or your stool a slightly reddish or pink tinge. This phenomenon, called beeturia,...

Read More »