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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffFolliculitis is caused by an infection of the hair follicles by bacteria, viruses or fungi. The most common cause of folliculitis is Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
Follicles are densest on your scalp, but they occur everywhere on your body except your palms, soles and mucous membranes, such as your lips. If follicles become damaged, they become susceptible to invasion.
The most common causes of follicle damage include:
- Friction from shaving or tight clothing
- Excessive perspiration
- Inflammatory skin conditions, including dermatitis and acne
- Injuries to your skin, such as abrasions or surgical wounds
- Coverings on your skin, such as plastic dressings or adhesive tape
References
- Folliculitis. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/folliculitis.html. Accessed July 2, 2011.
- Folliculitis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec11/ch129/ch129e.html. Accessed July 2, 2011.
- Baddour LM. Folliculitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 5, 2011.
- Bacterial infections. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 5th ed. Edinburgh, U.K.; New York, N.Y.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00018-3&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&uniqId=269355909-8#4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00018-3. Accessed June 14, 2011.
- Hot tub rash (pseudomonas dermatitis/folliculitis). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/rwi/illnesses/hot-tub-rash.html. Accessed July 2, 2011.
- Pseudofolliculitis barbae. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec11/ch134/ch134d.html?qt=pseudofolliculitis barbae&alt=sh. Accessed July 17, 2011.
- Browning J, et al. Cellulitis and superficial skin infections. In: Long SS. Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Diseases Revised Reprint. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchhill Livingstone Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7020-3468-8..50078-X--cesec14&isbn=978-0-7020-3468-8&uniqId=269355909-9#4-u1.0-B978-0-7020-3468-8..50078-X--cesec14. Accessed July 17, 2011.
- Rajendran P, et al. HIV-associated eosinophilic folliculitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 5, 2011.
- Ferri FF. Folliculitis. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011: Instant Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier Mosby; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00015-9--s1050&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&uniqId=269355909-12#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00015-9--s1100. Accessed July 17, 2011.
- Craft N, et al. Superficial cutaneous infections and pyodermas. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2994673. Accessed July 17, 2011.
- Superficial fungal infections. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 5th ed. Edinburgh, U.K.; New York, N.Y.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00022-5--s0890&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&sid=1185000175&uniqId=269355909-11#4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00022-5--s0970. Accessed July 15, 2011.
- Gibson LE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 4, 2011.
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