Folliculitis Flashcards
What is the definition of folliculitis?
Inflammation of hair follicle caused by infection, chemical irritation, or physical injury
Inflammation may be superficial or deep in the hair follicle
What causes superficial folliculitis?
Staphylococcal folliculitis
What causes deep folliculitis?
Furuncle and carbuncle
Which is the most common form of infectious folliculitis?
Staphylococcal folliculitis (superficial)
What are the clinical manifestations of superficial folliculitis?
Pustules may appear
Usually without fever or other systemic symptoms
Acute lesions consists of a dome shaped pustule at mouth of hair follicle
Pustule ruptures to form a small cyst
Which sites are common for superficial folliculitis?
Primarily scalp
Shoulders
Anterior chest
Upper back
Other hair bearing areas
What is the management for superficial folliculitis?
Antiseptic
Topical antibacterial (fusidic acid, mupirocin, erythromycin or clindamycin)
Oral cloxacillin for 7-10 days
What is the definition of a furuncle?
Walled off collection of pus that is a painful, firm or fluctuant mass
Which disease may precede or occur in conjunction with furuncles?
Cellulitis
When do furuncles increase in frequency?
After puberty
How do you describe a furuncle?
Red, hot, tender inflammatory nodules with central yellowish point, which forms over summit sand ruptures
Involves subcutaneous tissue that arises from a hair follicle
What are the common sites for furuncles?
Hair bearing skin (thigh, neck, face, axillae, perineum, buttocks)
What is the management for furuncles?
Warm compress
Culture and gram stain
Antibiotics - can be local such as fusidic acid, or oral such as doxycycline
Incision, drainage and packing is the primary management of cutaneous abscess
