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Lifestyle and home remedies

By Mayo Clinic staff

Mild cases of folliculitis often respond well to home care. The following suggestions may help relieve discomfort, speed healing and prevent the infection from spreading:

  • Apply a warm, moist washcloth or compress to the affected area several times a day to relieve discomfort and help the area drain, if needed.
  • Try an oatmeal lotion or an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream to help soothe itchy skin.
  • Gently wash the infected skin twice a day with antibacterial soap or apply an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment. Use a clean washcloth and towel to dry off each time you wash.
  • Avoid shaving irritated skin. If you must shave, use an electric razor rather than a blade and apply a soothing aftershave lotion when you're finished. Also, shave in the direction of hair growth rather than against it.
  • Don't share your towels or washcloths, and launder them in plenty of hot, soapy water after every use. Wash clothes that cover the affected areas after each wearing.
Alternative medicine Treatments and drugs
References
  1. Folliculitis. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. http://www.aocd.org/skin/dermatologic_diseases/folliculitis.html. Accessed July 2, 2011.
  2. Folliculitis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec11/ch129/ch129e.html. Accessed July 2, 2011.
  3. Baddour LM. Folliculitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 5, 2011.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. Rajendran P, et al. HIV-associated eosinophilic folliculitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 5, 2011.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. Gibson LE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 4, 2011.
DS00512 Oct. 6, 2011

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