Folliculitis

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Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff

Mild cases of folliculitis aren't likely to cause complications. If complications do occur with mild infections, they may include:

  • Recurrent or spreading infection
  • Large, itchy patches of staph infection on the skin (plaques)

Severe folliculitis may include:

  • Cellulitis. This potentially serious bacterial infection appears as a swollen, red area of skin that feels hot and tender and that may spread rapidly. Although the initial infection may be superficial, it eventually can affect the tissues underlying your skin or spread to your lymph nodes and bloodstream.
  • Furunculosis. This condition occurs when a number of boils develop under your skin. Boils usually start as small red bumps but become larger and more painful as they fill with pus.
  • Scarring. Severe folliculitis may leave thick, raised scars (hypertrophic or keloid scars) or patches of skin that are darker than normal.
  • Destruction of the hair follicle. This leads to permanent hair loss.
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  • Staph infections

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References
  1. Folliculitis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec10/ch119/ch119e.htm. Accessed July 30, 2009.
  2. Luelmo-Aguilar J, et al. Folliculitis recognition and management. American Journal of Dermatology. 2004;5:301.
  3. Baddour LM. Folliculitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 30, 2009.
  4. 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.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2994673. Accessed Aug. 4, 2009.
  5. Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Inc; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/152685128-4/0/1195/59.html?tocnode=51440865&fromURL=59.html. Accessed Aug. 5, 2009.
  6. Stevens DL. Infections of the skin, muscle, and soft tissues. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2860782. Accessed Aug. 4, 2009.
  7. Parker SRS, et al. Eosinophilic folliculitis in HIV-infected women. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology. 2006;7:193.
  8. Bacterial infections. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Inc; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/152685128-4/0/1195/53.html?tocnode=51440785&fromURL=53.html. Accessed Aug. 5, 2009.
  9. Folliculitis. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Inc; 2004. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/152685128-4/0/1195/54.html?tocnode=51440831&fromURL=54.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-01319-8..50011-X--cesec46_984. Accessed Aug. 5, 2009.

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Oct. 6, 2009

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