Folliculitis Symptoms

Folliculitis and Symptoms

Folliculitis is an infection of the hair follicles caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, causing inflammation and turning the follicles into small pus-filled pimples. Follicles are pits in the scalp out of which hairs grow. In severe cases it can cause permanent hair loss, but in milder forms it causes irritation and is uncomfortable.

Folliculitis Symptoms

Symptoms:

Clusters of small red bumps that develop around hair follicles

Pus-filled blisters that break open and crust over

Pain

Iron deficiency

A pre-existing skin condition, such as acne or dermatitis

Trauma to your skin from surgery

Long-term antibiotic therapy for acne

Topical corticosteroid therapy

Obesity - folliculitis is more common in people who are overweight

Follicles can be damaged by:

Friction from shaving or tight clothing

Excessive perspiration

Inflammatory skin conditions, including dermatitis and acne

Covering your skin with plastic dressings or adhesive tape

Staphylococcal folliculitis. Pseudomonas folliculitis. Gram negative folliculitis. The antibiotics affect the balance of bacteria that are normally present in the nose causing the growth of more harmful bacteria to increase.

Boils and carbuncles. These occur when follicles are deeply affected by Staphylococcus bacteria.

Treatment:

Topical antibiotics or antiseptic treatments may also help. If it is just localised using an antibiotic cream should be enough, but in more severe cases antibiotic tablets may be needed instead.

Apply a warm, moist washcloth or compress to the affected area several times a day.

Try an oatmeal lotion or an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to help soothe itchy skin.

Gently wash the infected skin twice a day with antibacterial soap or apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment.

Avoid shaving irritated skin. Prepare the salt water by adding 1 teaspoon of salt to 1 quart of boiling water. Let cool until comfortably warm.

Scalp Infections - Symptoms, Causes & Natural Options For Fast Relief & Treatment

There are many definitions and symptoms commonly described as "scalp infections". Of course, many scalp infections & conditions look alike, so here is a brief description of some of the most common scalp conditions:

·  Red Burning Itchy Scalp

·  Dandruff

·  Ringworm

·  Dry Scalp

·  Scalp Dermatitis

·  Eczema of the Scalp

·  Scalp Psoriasis

·  Folliculitis

·  Stress Related Itching

Red burning itchy scalp can be characterized as any tingling,burning, prickly, and sensitive to the touch or a fiery hot sensation. Often associated with an allergy, sunburn, chemical burn (sensitization of the scalp),or fungal infection.

Dandruff as most of us know is the process of continual shedding of skin cells on our scalps. Often the cause of dandruff is simply the result of toxins, pollutants and products that have built up on the scalp particularly products like silicone- a cheap commonly used artificial shine enhancer in conditioners sold in supermarkets.

Candida can be an underlying cause of yeast infections of the scalp.

Ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitols) is a superficial fungal infection of the scalp. Scalp ringworm is caused by mold-like fungi called dermatophytes. Ringworm infection occurs when a particular type of fungus grows and multiplies anywhere on your skin, scalp, or nails.

Dry scalp can feel "tight", a sensation that is sometimes accompanied by flakiness. It is often the result of natural oils being stripped from our scalps by the frequent use of shampoos, hair dyes and or other hair products.

Dermatitis of the scalp (Seborrheic dermatitis) is an inflammatory disorder affecting areas of the head and body where sebaceous glands are most prominent.

Eczema of the scalp similar in appearance to Seborrheic dermatitis but instead has the name Atopic dermatitis.

Scalp Psoriasis commonly occurs on the back of the head however multiple areas of the scalp or the whole scalp may be affected. Scalp psoriasis is characterized by thick silvery white scales on patches of very red skin and can extend slightly beyond the hairline. Scalp psoriasis, despite being partially hidden by the hair is often a source of social embarrassment due to flaking of the scale and severe 'dandruff'. Scalp psoriasis may be extremely itchy or on occasion have no itch symptoms.

Folliculitis of the scalp is a superficial bacterial infection of the hair follicles. It is characterized by pustules around the hair follicles and symptoms include painful brushing of hair and tenderness when rubbing your scalp around the hair follicle sites. Doctors can also treat cysts with antibiotics if they have become infected or incise them as a further but uncommon procedure if the antibiotics are not sufficient.

Problem is that they sometimes do SUCH a good job that they remove all of the natural oils and sebum from the scalp thus removing the scalps natural against bacteria etc. Another little known fact is that the most common ingredient (Sodium laureth sulphate) is used to induce skin irritation in test patients by drug companies to test the effectiveness of their itch relief skin creams. So sometimes the beginning of a scalp condition can have originated from something as simple as an imbalance to the skins (scalps) sebum or an allergy to an ingredient that can easily be rectified.

Like your immune system, if your skin has an opportunity to rebalance itself and not be subjected to "incoming foreign matter" and the daily stripping of its natural oils that further aggravates the problem you can allow your body to re balance and heal itself. Obviously buying products that do not strip your hair and scalp is an obvious step in the right direction.

It need not be difficult, nor expensive to make these choices and a move to healthy hair and scalp long term.

So yes you can eliminate harsh shampoos containing sodium sulphates and go for natural Sulphate and paraben free shampoos that contain ingredients such as macadamia, wheat germ or jojoba oils. These oils mimic our natural sebum to some extent to help to re moisturize and nourish our scalp.

Then there are lavender, rosemary and tea tree oils which contain antibacterial, healing properties. Neem oil great for its antiquing and stops itching. You can apply these topically to your skin for fast relief, to assist healing as well as looking out for shampoos with these natural ingredients in them.

Lavender calms the skin (as does chamomile tea cooled and used as hair rinse). 

As well as buying quality shampoos containing these ingredients, you can 

create your own combinations of remedy or remedies to soothe your scalp. 

You can also help it along by using natural remedies to treat your scalp such as this scalp treatment containing natural oils to assist healing, detoxify and stimulate hair growth: (Add to 

water (4 parts water 1part oil) and spray onto scalp and you can add to your shampoo and conditioners also).

Oils To Relieve Itching: Lavender, German Chamomile and Eucalyptus Oils 

(Mixed together and dabbed locally on effected areas has a soothing effect).

Scalp massage with lavender oil (not scented - the real oil) is another 

wonderful way to relieve the tension from a sore scalp as well as treat the 

issue. (Lavender is known to stimulate hair growth too).

There are many more powerful scalp remedies you can use to treat your scalp as well as many shampoos that are excellent value, contain no nasties to aggravate your scalp and hair follicles. It can be really simple to treat scalp problems by treating yourself to your own pampering session using natural oils to help heal your scalp infection. And then be kind to your hair and scalp by using only products that nourish your hair and scalp such as Aveda or Akin brand shampoos. 

As with all natural remedies please patch test first. Mia Wadsworth who founded http://www.folliculitisdoctor.com to help hundreds of sufferers of Scalp Infections [http://www.dryitchyscalpremedies.com/scalp_infections.html] , itchy scalp, dandruff & other scalp conditions relieve & eliminate their condition fast & permanently.

Read more natural treatment for folliculitis