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Got Bumps On Your Scalp? Here's How To Treat It

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Scalp Folliculitis

Scalp folliculitis is a skin condition that occurs when the hair follicles on the scalp become inflamed. This results in pustules, whiteheads, or other pimple-like bumps on the scalp that can be painful.

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Overview: Scalp Folliculitis

Scalp folliculitis is a skin condition that occurs when the hair follicles on the scalp become inflamed. This results in pustules, whiteheads, or other pimple-like bumps on the scalp that can be painful. Scalp folliculitis is typically a fairly harmless condition, but it can be itchy or uncomfortable — reason enough to explore treatment.

You may be wondering, what is folliculitis? Folliculitis is caused by bacterial infection, injury, virus, or fungi. It can occur anywhere on the body where there are hair follicles (so everywhere except the lips, eyelids, palms, and soles of the feet). Folliculitis is also sometimes called the following:

Here, we're focusing specifically on scalp folliculitis.

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What are the Symptoms of Scalp Folliculitis?

Scalp folliculitis manifests in several ways:

Small, itchy bumps: These may be red, white, or yellow and can appear around the hair follicles. They can be mistaken for acne.

Pain or tenderness: The affected areas might be sore or painful to touch.

Redness and swelling: The skin around the follicles can become red and swollen.

Crusting and flaking: The scalp may develop crusty patches or flaky skin. It may also develop blisters that break open or crust over.

Hair loss: In severe cases, hair in the affected area may fall out.

Burning or stinging sensation: The scalp might feel like it's burning or stinging.

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Causes of Scalp Folliculitis

You know that an inflamed or infected hair follicle is what causes folliculitis, but how does that happen in the first place? Scalp folliculitis is caused when microorganisms enter the hair follicles through tiny cuts, abrasions, or via the sebaceous glands.

Scalp folliculitis can be  caused by a few factors, including:

Bacterial infections, like staph. ‌The bacteria staphylococcus aureus (staph) always exists on the skin's surface, but can create problems when it enters the body through a cut or wound.

Fungal infections like Malassezia: This type of yeast is typically present on the skin but can overgrow and cause folliculitis, especially in oily or humid conditions.

Excess sebum production. When you have too much sebum, it can clog hair follicles, potentially leading to scalp folliculitis.

Ingrown hairs. Infected ingrown hairs are a type of folliculitis that may be present on the scalp or other commonly shaved areas.

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Risk Factors for Scalp Folliculitis

Risk factors for scalp folliculitis include:

Poor hygiene: Not washing the scalp regularly can lead to the buildup of oils and dead skin cells, which in turn promotes bacterial growth.

Occlusive hair products: Using heavy oils, gels, or hair sprays can block hair follicles, increasing the risk of infection.

Sweating: Excessive sweating can create a moist environment that promotes bacterial growth.

Friction: Wearing tight hats or helmets can cause friction, irritating the hair follicles and causing bumps.

Shaving: Shaving the scalp can cause tiny cuts that allow bacteria to enter. Plus, when skin is damp and hot (as it is in the shower), it can be easier to damage hair follicles. Plucking and waxing hair can also contribute.

Pre-existing skin conditions: Conditions like acne, dermatitis, or eczema can make the scalp more susceptible to folliculitis.

Compromised immune system: A weakened immune system can reduce the body's ability to fight infections.

Certain medications: Long-term use of antibiotics or steroids can alter the skin's natural flora and make it more prone to infections. Certain drugs like lithium and cyclosporine may also contribute to folliculitis.

Weight gain: The link between weight and folliculitis is not entirely clear, but folliculitis can be caused or made worse by skin-on-skin contact or friction.

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Diagnosing Scalp Folliculitis

If you suspect you have folliculitis (or if you're not sure what's going on with your skin), it's always a good idea to see a dermatologist. Scalp folliculitis may be diagnosed in several ways.

Medical History: Your healthcare provider will ask questions about your symptoms and recent activities or changes in your hygiene or routine that could contribute to folliculitis.

Exam: The provider will look at your scalp, paying careful attention to signs of infection, redness, and bumps.

Skin Swab: A swab of the affected area may be taken to be looked at more closely under a microscope. This helps to identify the specific bacteria, yeast, or fungi causing the infection.

Biopsy: In rare cases, a small skin sample might be taken for examination under a microscope to rule out other conditions.

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Can Folliculitis Cause Hair Loss?

The question of scalp folliculitis and hair loss isn't simple, but there are ways in which folliculitis can cause hair loss.

Folliculitis decalvans is a more intense type of folliculitis that can cause hair loss if left untreated. The condition causes intense granulocytic inflammation, which destroys the follicle and damages the scalp.

If enough damage is done, it can trigger a form of scarring alopecia, a type of permanent hair loss in which the follicle ceases to function entirely and is replaced by scar tissue from the damage.

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Treatment for Scalp Folliculitis

Folliculitis looks a lot like acne, another skin-based infection that also occurs in hair follicles. Despite their similarities, acne and scalp folliculitis are not the same condition and should be treated differently.

Here's how to treat scalp folliculitis.

Medication

More serious causes of folliculitis may require medication.

Oral Antibiotics: Oral antibiotics like dicloxacillin or cephalexin may be prescribed for bacterial folliculitis.

Antifungal Medications: Antifungal creams or oral medications like fluconazole or terbinafine may be needed if a fungal infection is suspected.

Antiviral Medications: Antiviral drugs such as acyclovir may be prescribed for viral folliculitis.

Topical Antibiotics: Prescription-strength antibiotics like clindamycin or erythromycin.

Topical Steroids: In cases of severe inflammation, a mild corticosteroid cream may be used to reduce swelling and itching.

Other Medications: In some cases, medications that do not fall neatly into any of the above categories, like antihistamines, itraconazole, or isotretinoin, may be prescribed.

Non-prescription Treatments: A healthcare provider may also suggest trying products like an antibacterial wash.

Apply a Warm CompressSome mild cases of folliculitis may be treated with a warm water compress applied to the area. The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends doing this three to four times daily for 15 to 20 minutes until the bumps begin to clear.

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Scalp Folliculitis Prevention Tips

There are many ways to prevent or get rid of folliculitis.  The first and most obvious way to prevent a future folliculitis outbreak is to stop doing what caused it in the first place. 

On the scalp, that may mean washing out styling gel or reducing how much time your hair spends styled up or under a hat or helmet. Let's take a look at some other ways to prevent the discomfort from returning:

Practice Good Hygiene

Try to wash your towels regularly and avoid sharing wash clothes or towels. Keep your scalp and hair clean. If you wear hats, consider cleaning them as well.

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Use Non-Comedogenic Skin Care

Non-comedogenic skin care does not contain heavy ingredients like mineral oils that may clog pores, so seek these out.

You may also be able to find hair care that's specifically labeled as non-comedogenic, but if not, look for shampoos, conditioners, and styling products that do not contain coconut oil, silicone (sometimes labeled as dimethicone), or many oils, including argan, almond, and pumpkin seed.

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Take a Break From Shaving

One of the biggest self-inflicted causes of folliculitis is shaving, so if you're seeing a lot of folliculitis outbreaks in areas where you shave, your razor is probably to blame. It helps to use a clean, sharp razor, but experts (including the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology) recommend a pause in shaving for at least three months to give the area time to heal and new hair to grow.

Obvious measures like using a clean razor, changing blades regularly, and cleaning the area with soap before shaving may already be part of your routine. Still, other changes could further reduce your chances of infection.

This may mean shaving less often or switching from a razor to an electric razor to reduce irritation to the hair follicle.

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Be Mindful of Hot Tubs

You'll probably only get scalp folliculitis from a hot tub if you submerge yourself in it, but generally, it's best to ensure that any hot tubs you use are clean and well-maintained.

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Dry Sweat Quickly

If you're going to be running or active and sweating a lot (or even just hanging out in a hot and humid climate), consider bringing a towel to wipe your head. Sweat can contribute to folliculitis by creating a moist environment for bacteria to thrive.

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Skip Coal Tar

According to the AAD, some people develop folliculitis when they apply medication, such as coal tar, to their skin.

Folliculitis is generally not harmful if treated, so it's essential to seek treatment before it worsens. Your healthcare provider can help diagnose, treat, and give you tips for preventing folliculitis from recurring.

If folliculitis hair loss is a concern, you can visit your primary care provider or a dermatologist.

This article originally appeared on Hims.Com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.Org

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Folliculitis: What It Is And What You Can Do About It

You can develop folliculitis from bacterial or fungal infections. Treatment can depend on the cause.

Folliculitis is a common skin condition commonly triggered by bacterial or fungal infections. The resulting rash of raised bumps can be itchy and painful, but it is treatable with topical medications. There are several types of folliculitis, the difference is determined by the cause of the infection or inflammation.

Basic skin hygiene practices can help lower your risk of developing folliculitis, but if the condition does appear, it's helpful to know how to recognize it and how best to respond.

Folliculitis is an inflammation or infection that can affect one or more hair follicles. Your hair follicles are the small cavities that surround the roots of your hair.

Folliculitis can occur on your skin wherever hair grows, including your scalp. It's most likely to occur on your thighs, buttocks, neck, and armpits — places where friction is common. It usually appears as small bumps.

It may look like acne or a rash and can be isolated to one hair follicle or affect many. It can be acute (occurring for a short time) or chronic (ongoing).

Folliculitis is relatively common. People who have obesity are more likely to experience it.

Folliculitis is usually minor and goes away on its own without treatment. If you have skin irritation that's accompanied by a fever, a spreading rash, or pus-filled and smelly bumps, seek medical help.

To treat acute folliculitis that's severe or slow to heal, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications. For example, they may recommend:

Chronic folliculitis can be more difficult to treat. Antibiotics and other medications may not clear up chronic cases. If other treatment options fail, your doctor may recommend laser hair removal.

During treatment, you should refrain from removing hair by plucking, waxing, or shaving. Allowing your hair to grow may help your follicles to heal. For chronic folliculitis, your doctor may advise you to grow your hair for up to 3 months.

Folliculitis is usually caused by Staphylococcus bacteria (Staph) or types of fungi. While you can contract Staph bacteria through bodily contact with someone who has it, folliculitis caused by fungi is not passed through physical contact.

You can also contract folliculitis caused by Staph bacteria through contact with items, such as razors, towels, or clothing used by someone who has bacterial folliculitis.

You can pick up bacteria or fungi at pools or spas that are not well-sanitized.

Folliculitis causes small or crusty bumps to form on your skin. Some of the bumps may be pustules — raised areas that contain pus — and may resemble pimples. They can be red, white, or yellow in color. They may be accompanied by:

soreness

itching

swelling

Folliculitis can appear at first glance like an acne breakout, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. The condition features small areas of raised, red, or white bumps. The fluid-filled bumps can crust over and become painful and itchy. In some cases, folliculitis appears as a large, single bump.

Anyone at any age can develop folliculitis, but common risk factors include:

wearing tight clothing that traps sweat

touching, rubbing, or scratching your skin frequently

shaving anywhere on the body

soaking in a hot tub

having a weakened immune system that increases your vulnerability to infection

Folliculitis can form as a result of several types of fungal or bacterial infections. The following include some of the more common types of folliculitis:

Hot tub folliculitis (pseudomonas folliculitis)

Regular swimming pools and water slides can also bring on the infection. The rash commonly appears as scattered red bumps. Areas of the skin covered by swimwear such as the buttocks are most prone to develop the rash, but it may also affect the skin directly exposed to the contaminated water. Other symptoms include itching and burning.

Hot tub folliculitis often resolves on its own. Topical treatments that may be helpful include silver sulfadiazine cream twice a day or white vinegar applied to the rash for 20 minutes 2 to 4 times per day. In severe cases, oral antibiotics may be prescribed.

Pityrosporum folliculitis

Pityrosporum folliculitis forms when the yeast Pitysporum moves into hair follicles and spreads. An acne-looking rash erupts on the surface of the skin. Pityrosporum normally lives on the skin and causes no rash or other skin condition. It's only when there is an overgrowth that pityrosporum folliculitis forms. Triggers include:

wearing tight, moisture-trapping clothes

hot and/or humid weather

oily skin

use of oily or greasy products, such as certain sunscreens

stress

diabetes

Bacterial folliculitis

Bacterial folliculitis is the most common form of this condition. It usually develops when the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus — which exists on the skin always — enter the skin and infect the hair follicles. A cut or scrape can provide an entry point. Mild cases may be treated by a topical antibiotic, while more serious cases may require an oral antibiotic, too.

To diagnose folliculitis, your doctor will examine the inflamed or irritated areas of your skin. They will also ask:

how long you've had bumps on your skin

what other symptoms you've been experiencing

whether you have a history of folliculitis

Your doctor may be able to diagnose folliculitis based on appearance alone. To identify the cause, they may remove or take a small sample of one of the bumps for testing.

Most cases of folliculitis go away without treatment. It rarely causes more severe problems. In a small number of cases, it can cause:

boils to form under your skin

permanent scarring or dark patches to develop on your skin

damage to your hair follicle, resulting in permanent hair loss

If you've had folliculitis in the past, you're more likely to have it again in the future.

To help prevent folliculitis:

Shave only in the direction that hair grows, or use an electric razor.

Avoid tight-fitting clothing, especially rough fabrics such as denim.

Use lotions that don't clog your pores to keep your skin moisturized.

Avoid sharing personal care products, such as razors and towels.

Shower after heavy sweating.

To help prevent complications and lessen the severity of folliculitis when you have it:

Avoid friction caused by shaving or rubbing the infected area.

Use a warm compress to calm irritation and reduce pain.

Wash your towels and washcloths every day until your symptoms have subsided.

Ask your doctor for more tips on preventing folliculitis. If you experience it regularly, they may refer you to a dermatologist to help you learn how to avoid and manage the condition.

Applying Castor Oil On Hair In Winter Helps In THESE 5 Problems, Know Benefits And How To Use

Castor oil is rich in medicinal properties. It is beneficial for health as well as skin and hair. This oil contains ricinoleic acid, which provides natural moisture to the hair. It strengthens the hair and prevents hair breakage. Vitamin E is present in this oil making the hair soft and shiny. Its antifungal, and antibacterial properties remove problems related to hair as well as the scalp. Hair becomes dry and lifeless in winter. In such a situation, using castor oil on hair is very beneficial. You can apply castor oil directly on the hair. Or you can mix castor oil and coconut oil and apply it on the hair.

Can we use castor oil on hair in winter?

Yes, castor oil can be used on hair in winter. The properties present in castor oil are very beneficial for hair. Applying this oil to hair helps in getting rid of dandruff. Also, hair becomes strong and thick.

Benefits of applying castor oil on hair in winter

Provides nourishment to the hair: Applying castor oil in winter nourishes the hair. Applying this oil strengthens the hair. If you apply castor oil on your hair regularly, it will make the hair strong and thick. If your hair is weak, then definitely use castor oil.

Keep hair hydrated: In winter, just like the skin, hair also becomes dry, lifeless, and frizzy. In such a situation, you can use castor oil to keep the hair hydrated. Castor oil moisturizes the hair. It helps in getting rid of dry hair.

Cure scalp infection: Most people get frequent scalp infections in winter, so you can use castor oil. Castor oil also removes the problem of itching and irritation in the hair. Castor oil is effective in curing dandruff and infections. It has anti-bacterial properties, which help in curing scalp infections.

Make hair long and thick: The problem of hair fall increases in winter. Castor oil strengthens the hair. Applying this oil makes the hair thick and long. If your hair breaks, you can massage your hair and scalp thoroughly with this oil. Castor oil helps in making the hair long and thick.

Eliminate dandruff problem: You can also use castor oil to get rid of dandruff. Castor oil has antifungal properties, which help in removing many problems, including dandruff. Massaging with castor oil can get rid of dandruff.

You can also apply castor oil to your hair in winter. However, some people may be allergic to castor oil. In such a situation, use it only on the advice of an expert.

ALSO READ: Delhi Air Pollution is increasing risk of hair fall, baldness; know ways to protect your hair from damage

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