How is folliculitis managed and treated?
Some types of folliculitis can be treated at home in the following ways:
- Antibacterial cleansers can help clean the skin, limiting the amount of bacteria on the skin.
- Warm towels can also sooth the irritated skin.
- Anti-itch creams can decrease discomfort.
- Less severe cases of folliculitis, such as Pseudomonas folliculitis (hot tub rash), usually fade within a few days without treatment.
In more severe cases, an oral antibiotic may be needed. Deeper infections, like boils and carbuncles, may have to be drained by a doctor.
Because Pseudofolliculitis barbae and Sycosis barbae heavily affect the beard area, you can reduce their occurrence by:
- Softening the hair with hot water before shaving.
- Shaving with the grain of the hair, not against it.
- Using a shaving gel or cream.
- Shaving every other day, rather than daily.
- Using an electric razor or hair removal product instead of a traditional razor blade.
- Avoiding pulling the skin while shaving.