Folliculitis

Question 1

What is the definition of folliculitis?

Answer 1

Inflammation of a hair follicle that results in the formation of papules or pustules.

Question 2

What organisms typically cause folliculitis?

Answer 2

Bacteria (particularly staph aureus and gram negative bacteria following long term antibiotics)
Hot tub folliculitis (pseudomonas)
Eosinophilic folliculitis (reactive condition associated with immune status)

Question 3

What are some clinical features of folliculitis?

Answer 3

Presence of papules and pustules anywhere on the body except hands and soles of feet

Question 4

What are some investigations for folliculitis?

Answer 4

Clinical diagnosis
Skin biopsy in eosinophilic folliculitis

Question 5

What is the management of folliculitis?

Answer 5

Topical antibiotics with antibacterial soaps (eg Hibiscrub)
Oral antibiotics in severe cases/unresponsive