Folliculitis

Question 1

What is folliculitis?

Answer 1

An inflammation of a hair follicle that can occur anywhere on the body where there is hair

Question 2

what are the common infectious etiologies of folliculitis

Answer 2

bacterial
Fungal
viral
parasitic
non infectious

Question 3

Commo bacterial causes of folliculitis

Answer 3

Most frequently due to S. aureus (+/- MRSA

Streptococcus species, Pseudomonas (contaminated H20 contamination)

Question 4

Types of fungal causes of folliculitis

Answer 4

1) Dermatophytic (tinea capitis, tinea corporis, tinea pedis)
2) Pityrosporum (affecting teenagers and men) on upper chest and back
3) Candida albicans

Question 5

What are some folliculitis risk factors?

Answer 5

(1) Hair removal (shaving, plucking, waxing, epilating agents)
(2) Other pruritic skin conditions: eczema, scabies
(3) Occlusive dressing or clothing
(4) Personal carrier or contact with MRSA-infected persons
(5) Diabetes mellitus
(6) Immunosuppression
(7) Use of hot tubs or saunas
(8) Chronic antibiotic use (gram-negative folliculitis)
(9) Tattoo recipient
(10) Poor Hygiene

Question 6

what is the clinical hallmark of folliculitis?

Answer 6

hair emanating from the center of the pustule

Question 7

Diagnostic tests and interpretation of folliculitis

Answer 7

Culture and Gram stain may be done for larger lesions lancing or unroofing the pustule.

KOH preparation as well as Wood lamp fluorescence to identify Candida or yeast

(*Diagnosis is usually made clinically, taking risk factors, history, and locations of lesions
into account)

Question 8

Treatment and preventions of folliculitis

Answer 8

antiseptic and supportive care.
hygiene
wash towels/linens
shaving
witch hazel, alcohol, and Tend Skin

Question 9

What are the meds you give if you suspect MRSA from folliculitis?

Answer 9

Bactrim DS
Clindamycin
Doxycycline

Question 10

What can you give for “hot tub” folliculitis, pseudomonas folliculitis

Answer 10

Ciprofloxacin
Topical corticosteroids
antihistamines

Question 11

therapeutic interventions for fungal folliculitis

Answer 11

Topical antifungals: Ketoconazole 2% cream

Systemic antifungals for relapses fluconazole

Question 12

DDX of folliculitis

Answer 12

other etiology (mechanical, fungal, bacterial)

acne vulgaris if on face
impetigo if on face

Question 13

what is often a problem in affected skin, especially in African American men w pseudo folliculiits barbabe

Answer 13

Keloid formation

Question 14

how long must service members use topical retinoid or elfornithine with treatment approach one of bupersinst 1000.22

Answer 14

60 days