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.
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| 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
· 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
