Hair loss is very common and there are many different causes. If you’re experiencing hair loss, you will naturally want to get to the root cause so you can treat it effectively. One cause you should be aware of is folliculitis – keep reading to learn everything you need to know.
What is Folliculitis?
Folliculitis is a skin condition that causes inflammation of the hair follicles. It’s very common and benign, [1] but that doesn’t mean it can’t cause problems for sufferers, particularly when it comes to the hair. Other symptoms can be unpleasant, too, with folliculitis often causing itchy, inflamed sores.
Folliculitis has many different types – some of which are more common than others. Here are some of the most common types of folliculitis:
- Bacterial Folliculitis
- Pseudomonas Folliculitis
- Pityrosporum Folliculitis
- Pseudofolliculitis Barbae
- Gram-negative Folliculitis
- Eosinophilic Folliculitis
Some of these are more likely to cause hair loss compared to others. For example, gram-negative folliculitis affects the nose and mouth and therefore won’t cause scalp hair loss. However, bacterial folliculitis can occur anywhere, including the scalp.
What Causes Folliculitis?
The most common cause of folliculitis is a bacterial infection, but it can also be viral or fungal. That can occur from shaving, rubbing clothes, and using antibiotics for a long time. There are also some risk factors that make certain people more prone to getting folliculitis, including people who are overweight and people with diabetes.
The Symptoms of Folliculitis
If you check off any of the following symptoms, you may have folliculitis:
- Red Bumps Surrounding Hair Follicles
- Inflammation
- Tenderness
- Itching
- Burning Skin
- Pus-filled Blisters
The severity of folliculitis varies significantly. If it’s so bad that you’re in a lot of pain with constant burning and itching, it’s worth seeing a doctor.
Scalp Folliculitis and Hair Loss
So, what’s the link between folliculitis and hair loss? Folliculitis directly affects the hair follicles, which can affect hair growth. In severe cases, folliculitis destroys hair follicles, which means permanent hair loss – the hair will no longer be able to grow back. Due to this, it’s essential to treat folliculitis as soon as possible.
How Long Does Folliculitis Take to Go Away?
Assuming you have a mild case of folliculitis, such as some razor bumps, expect it to go away in a week or just over. It might return if you do not know what’s causing it or continue doing the activity that triggers it. For example, if shaving leads to folliculitis but you carry on shaving in the same way, expect it to return.
Treating Hair Folliculitis
Folliculitis hair loss is treatable. Most of the time, it will go away on its own, but you may need to interfere in more severe cases. Here are some treatments you can do at home – as well as treatments you’ll need to see a doctor for.
A Soothing Cream
Folliculitis causes a lot of inflammation and itching, which can be challenging to deal with. Using a soothing cream will combat this, especially one with anti-inflammatory ingredients such as aloe vera.
Apply a Warm Washcloth Daily
To relieve the symptoms, dampen a washcloth with warm water and apply it to the area. You can do this as often as you need to.
Use an Antifungal Treatment
If folliculitis is caused by a fungus, the best treatment is an antifungal treatment. You can find plenty over the counter, including antifungal creams, pills, and shampoos.
Antibiotics
Folliculitis is an infection, which means antibiotics will be able to treat it. Speak to your doctor about an antibiotic in the form of a lotion or gel. In more severe cases, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics in pill form.
Follicle Drainage
If one of your hair follicles has a pus-filled infection that doesn’t go away, your doctor may opt to drain the infection. They can do this by making a tiny incision in the follicle and draining it. Once this has been performed, it will begin the healing process. Do not do this at home – a doctor will ensure the process is completed effectively without risk of further infection; doing it at home could lead to the spread of infection.
Steroids
This one is specifically eosinophilic folliculitis. If you have this, you may receive steroid injections administered by your doctor. It will help relieve the itching.
These treatments will treat the folliculitis but not the hair loss. To regrow hair after a severe case of folliculitis, you’ll need a hair loss treatment (which we’ll go into a little further below).
What Other Complications May You Experience with Folliculitis?
While most cases of mild folliculitis will go away on their own, some other complications may occur aside from permanent hair loss, including:
The Spread of Infection
If you do not treat folliculitis, the infection can spread to other areas of the body. If you think it has spread, see your doctor.
Scarring
When the hair follicles become damaged and inflamed, it may lead to some permanent scarring.
Hyperpigmentation or Hypopigmentation
Hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation refer to the colour of the skin. In some cases of folliculitis, the affected skin may become permanently lighter or darker.
Generally, the main complications that arise are cosmetic based. However, there is one complication that is a lot more serious. In folliculitis caused by staph, the infection may spread to the inside of the body towards the blood and organs, which is life-threatening and requires urgent medical attention. While this is very uncommon, and the vast majority of cases will not lead to this, it’s still important to be aware of it.
Preventing Folliculitis Hair Loss
It’s always better to prevent folliculitis hair loss than to treat it. Folliculitis will only lead to permanent hair loss if it’s left too long or is very severe, and these prevention tips will ensure that does not happen.
Always Clean Yourself After Sweating
Your goal is to ensure your hair follicles do not get clogged and, in turn, infected. To manage this, always wash yourself after sweating. For example, if you spend an hour breaking a sweat in the gym, be sure to wash your body and scalp thoroughly afterwards.
Be Careful When Shaving
If you have folliculitis because of shaving, be careful with the razor in the future. Always use a clean, fresh, sharp razor and prep your skin thoroughly beforehand by applying warm water to the area. You can also let your shaving cream sit for 10 minutes to soften the hair first.
Only Use Clean Hot Tubs and Pools
Folliculitis can be brought on by sitting in a hot tub or swimming in a public pool. To avoid this, pay attention to the cleanliness of these facilities, avoiding them if not cleaned regularly.
Wear Loose Clothing
Tight clothing that traps heat and sweat can cause folliculitis. Avoid that by wearing loose clothing, particularly when exercising or outside in the heat.
What Other Infections Can Cause Hair Loss?
Folliculitis is not the only infection that can lead to your hair falling out. These infections may also be the culprit:
Ringworm
Ringworm is typically mild but can lead to hair loss if left to spread. It’s caused by a specific type of fungus that can result in bald patches on the scalp, which will also be inflamed, itchy, and scaly.
Piedra
Piedra is a very rare infection that affects the hair shaft. [2] The symptoms include stone-like bumps on the skin, either black or white. It’s caused by a fungus and can be treated with topical antifungal creams.
Treating Hair Loss
Have you experienced folliculitis hair loss? It can be challenging to deal with, especially if it’s affected the hair on your head. The good news is there are ways to treat hair loss that can help restore your confidence.
Hair Loss Medications
Hair loss medications like finasteride, dutasteride, and minoxidil are useful for regrowing the hair. Finasteride and dutasteride are for men only and require a prescription, whereas minoxidil can be bought over the counter and used by men and women.
Low-level Light Therapy
Light therapy is a treatment type that focuses low-level lasers on the scalp, which results in the stimulation of hair growth. [3] It’s a popular method that you can receive in a clinic. Or, purchase a low-level light therapy treatment device and try it at home.
A Hair Transplant
A hair transplant is an excellent solution for those with hair loss. It works by taking healthy hair follicles from another section of the body (often the back of the scalp) and then transplanting them to where it’s needed. Once these follicles have been planted, they can grow again, leading to a full head of hair. You can also get eyebrow and beard transplants.
Folliculitis Hair Loss: In Summary
Folliculitis does not always lead to complications. In fact, it’s a very common skin condition that causes red, itchy bumps around the hair follicles that disappear within a week or so. However, some cases become more severe and may lead to permanent hair loss. If this occurs, it’s important to treat and prevent folliculitis and look into hair restoration solutions that work for you. Interested in learning more about hair loss solutions? Download our hair track app – we’ve already helped many happy clients restore their locks after hair loss.
If you have experienced hair loss and want to regrow your hair, check out our patients gallery. Our incredibly talented team of physicians and surgeons work hard to deliver exceptional results to all patients, and you could be next.
Sources:
- https://www.healthline.com/health/laser-treatment-for-hair-loss
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