How to diagnose hair folliculitis? Be careful if these situations occur!

Folliculitis is a common skin disease in life. There are many causes of folliculitis. Generally, it is caused by bacterial infection. The most obvious manifestation of folliculitis is redness of the skin, papules on the skin surface, sores or suppuration on the skin surface, which is very harmful to the skin. In addition to timely treatment, you should also pay more attention to your diet. You should eat more light foods and avoid spicy and irritating foods, which can easily cause itching and pain in the wound. Next, let’s learn about the characteristics and treatments of hair folliculitis today.

Scalp Folliculitis

Scalp folliculitis is an inflammatory change caused by pyogenic cocci invading the area around the hair follicle openings. Folliculitis initially appears as red, solid papules, which then rapidly develop into papular pustules. Folliculitis that occurs on the head is called scalp folliculitis. Those that occur on the lower jaw are called "sheep beard sores", "beard sores", or "bird's nest sores"; those that occur between the eyebrows are called "eyebrow sores"; those that occur on the buttocks are called "sitting board sores", etc. Traditional Chinese medicine has different names for it according to the location and shape of the disease, such as big pearl sore, hairline sore, sheep beard sore, mole cricket boil, mole cricket disease, and eel arch head. The disease is prone to occur on the head, neck, buttocks, perianal area or other parts of the body, and tends to recur. It often occurs in multiple places, is stubborn in nature, and is difficult to cure. Comprehensively classify folliculitis, formulate and administer prescriptions according to the symptoms; pay attention to diet and daily life, from clinical treatment to lifestyle conditioning.

Causes

Folliculitis is an inflammation caused by pyogenic cocci invading the area around the hair follicle opening and is limited to the upper part of the hair follicle. It is divided into two types: purulent and non-purulent. It is more common in people with low immunity or diabetes, and is prone to occur on the head and neck. The one that occurs on the head is called scalp folliculitis. Folliculitis initially presents as red, solid papules, which rapidly develop into papular pustules, which then dry up and form scabs, leaving no trace after the scabs fall off. The rashes are numerous but not confluent.

Related symptoms

Folliculitis is more common in adults, who experience itching or mild pain, generally without systemic symptoms. The rash initially appears as a pinhead-sized, red follicular papule, which gradually turns into miliary pustules with hair running through the center and an inflammatory red halo around it. Most pustules appear in batches and do not merge with each other. After the pustule bursts, a small amount of pus and blood is discharged and a yellow scab is formed. The disease will heal once the scab falls off without leaving any scars. Folliculitis can recur and form chronic folliculitis, which can cause permanent hair loss if it occurs on the scalp.

Treatment

Traditional Chinese Medicine Treatment

According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, folliculitis is mostly caused by internal accumulation of dampness and heat, which in turn fumigates the lung system and accumulates in the skin. When the evil toxins accumulate for a long time, they turn into heat. When the heat is too strong, the flesh rots and turns into pus. The pus and toxins flow and penetrate each other, causing folliculitis. It may be due to physical weakness, weak defenses, and exogenous heat toxins; or it may be due to unclean skin, which is invaded by wind toxins and causes external wind toxins. 1. Internal treatment: In the early stage, it is advisable to clear away heat and detoxify, and the prescription is Wuwei Xiaodu Drink. If the patient has scattered light red papules and small pustules on the body surface, feels itchy and painful, has a red tongue, and a thick and greasy coating, which are manifestations of excessive dampness and heat, it is advisable to clear away heat, detoxify and eliminate dampness, and the prescription used is Jinyi Decoction; if the patient has a weak constitution, a prolonged course of illness, and has symptoms of qi and yin deficiency such as sallow complexion, poor appetite, pale tongue, thin white coating, and a deep and fine pulse, the treatment should be to invigorate qi and nourish yin, clear away heat and detoxify, and the prescription should be Lanqi Decoction.

Topical treatments

After cutting the hair, use the following medicines:

(1) 2.5% iodine tincture: For external use, apply to the affected area several times a day.

(2) 1% neomycin ointment: For external use, apply to the affected area several times a day.