Folliculitis on the face is the inflammation of hair follicles present in the facial region, causing symptoms such as small pimples that may contain pus, itching, increased sensitivity and/or redness of the skin.
In most cases, inflammation of hair follicles is caused by infection with bacteria that are naturally found on the skin and is more common in people who wax or shave their hair frequently, for example.
Read too: Folliculitis: what it is, types, symptoms, causes and treatment
In case of folliculitis on the face, especially if persistent or recurrent, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist. Treatment may involve measures such as avoiding shaving/shaving your hair and keeping the area clean and dry, and the use of antibiotics, for example.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of folliculitis on the face are:
- Small red pimples on the face, with or without pus;
- Itching in the affected part of the face;
- Increased sensitivity on site;
- Redness of the skin around the hair follicles.
Folliculitis can appear anywhere on the body where there is hair and, especially in men, folliculitis on the face tends to affect the beard area due to the habit of shaving it regularly. Check out the symptoms of beard folliculitis.
When inflammation of the hair follicles on the face goes deeper into the skin, it can result in the formation of a boil. In this case, it is common for symptoms such as pain and swelling to appear in the area where the folliculitis began.
Read too: Boil: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of folliculitis on the face is normally made by a dermatologist or general practitioner taking into account the symptoms and characteristics of the skin lesions, and no other exam is necessary to confirm the diagnosis in most cases.
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However, although rare, sometimes the dermatologist may recommend tests to identify the cause of folliculitis, such as analyzing a skin scraping sample or biopsy of the lesions.
Possible causes
The most common causes of folliculitis on the face are:
- Microorganisms, such as bacteria or fungi;
- Blockage of hair follicles, due to the use of some moisturizers, oils or facial creams;
- Ingrown hairs, especially when you have the habit of shaving or waxing, for example;
- Application of irritating products to the skin;
- Improper use of corticosteroid ointments on the face;
- Some medications, such as corticosteroids or lithium;
- Inflammatory diseases or immunosuppression.
However, folliculitis on the face is most often caused by infection of the hair follicles by bacteria. Staphylococcus aureuswhich is naturally found in the skin and can invade the hair follicle through small injuries caused by shaving or waxing, for example.
Read too: Staphylococcus aureus: what it is, symptoms and treatment
How the treatment is carried out
In most cases, folliculitis on the face tends to improve within a few days with measures such as keeping the area clean and dry, stopping the application of products that irritate the skin and avoiding removing hair from the affected part of the face until the lesions disappear. .
However, especially when folliculitis on the face recurs or persists, treatment can be done with medications, such as antibiotics, antifungals or antivirals, in the form of ointments or tablets, depending on its cause.
Furthermore, in the case of diseases that affect the skin, it is important to carry out treatment according to the doctor’s instructions and, if the person is taking any medication that may be associated with folliculitis, the doctor may also recommend changing it. or suspension, for example.
