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• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Treating mild folluculitis with home remedies
• Method 2 of 3: Treating folliculitis with medicinal solutions
• Method 3 of 3: Prevent folliculitis-causing behavior

Folliculitis, a bacterial or fungal infection of the hair follicle, usually manifests as an itchy, painful, blistering and / or oozing rash around one or more inflamed hair follicles. Folliculitis can be caused by a variety of pathogens and can develop to varying degrees of severity - thus there are also multiple treatment options. Whether you have a mild case of folliculitis or an outright skin emergency, start at Step 1 below to make sure your skin is looking its best in no time.

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Method 1 of 3: Treating mild folluculitis with home remedies

1. Wash the area regularly with antibacterial soap. Mild cases of folliculitis usually resolve on their own eventually. However, it is possible to speed up this process by taking good care of the infected area. Use a mild antibacterial soap twice a day to clean the infected area and kill any folliculitis-causing bacteria. Rinse and pat the area dry with a clean, dry towel or washcloth.
   • Make sure to wash gently. Do not use harsh soaps or scrub too roughly - these things can irritate the area, making any redness and inflammation worse.
   • If you have folliculitis on your face, opt for an antibacterial soap that is specifically designed for use on the face. These products are often a bit milder than the standard antibacterial soaps.
2. Soak the area with warm water and aluminum acetate. This mixture is also known as Burow water. Aluminum acetate is an astringent and antibiotic often used as a low-cost, over-the-counter treatment for a variety of relatively minor skin conditions. Aluminum acetate can be used to kill the folliculitis causing bacteria, reduce swelling in the infected area, relieve irritation and speed recovery.
   • To use Burow water, dissolve a package in the recommended amount of warm water. Dip a clean washcloth in the solution, squeeze it and apply it gently to the affected area. Hold the washcloth there and moisten the cloth in the acetate solution as needed.
   • When you're done, clean the container containing the aluminum acetate and rinse the washcloth under cold water. Do not reuse the washcloth; clean and dry it thoroughly before using it again.
3. Treat it with oatmeal. Believe it or not, oatmeal has been used as an ingredient in home remedies for skin irritation for a long time - this is because oatmeal has anti-itching properties. Try soaking the body (or the affected area) in a homemade oatmeal bath, or cover the area with oatmeal lotion. Enjoy the soothing sensation of your oatmeal remedy, but to avoid worsening folliculitis, avoid prolonged exposure.
   • Always make sure to use a clean towel or washcloth to dry the area.
4. Use a salt water compress. Warm compresses are wipes or other absorbent materials that are dipped in warm liquid and held against the affected area to relieve irritation, promote drainage and speed up the recovery process. Adding salt to the water for your compress brings an (though minor) antibacterial benefit. To make a salt water compress, dissolve a few spoons of table salt in half a liter of water. Soak a cotton ball or washcloth in the salt water and gently hold it against the affected area.
   • Do this twice a day - once in the morning and once in the evening.
5. Consider a holistic medicine, such as vinegar. Skin ailments such as folliculitis easily fall prey to a variety of holistic or "natural" remedies. Some people swear by these types of medicines, but there is usually no scientific evidence for their effectiveness. If you decide to try a holistic medicine, use common sense — don't do anything that could worsen your folliculitis, bring in new bacteria, or hinder recovery. A common holistic medicine containing vinegar is described below (many others can be easily found on the Internet).
   • Make a solution of two parts warm water with one part vinegar and stir well. Dab a clean washcloth in the vinegar solution, wring it out, and apply it to the affected area. Hold the compress there for about five to ten minutes and dab the washcloth in the vinegar solution as needed.

Method 2 of 3: Treating folliculitis with medicinal solutions

1. Do not hesitate to consult a doctor in serious cases. Usually, folliculitis causes little more than a minor (yet painful) irritation. However, as with any other infection, there is always the possibility that it will develop into something more serious if you leave the infection untreated. If the folliculitis does not improve on its own, or if you develop severe symptoms such as fever, severe swelling and irritation, make an appointment with the doctor as soon as possible. Better to err on the side of caution. A timely visit to the doctor could save you a lot of money and time in the long run.
   • In general, it is fine to see your "normal" doctor. He / she can refer you to a dermatologist if necessary.
2. Use hydrocortisone to relieve itching and soothe pain. Hydrocortisone can be in a cream or ointment that you apply topically to reduce skin irritation and relieve itching. Try applying a cream containing 1% hydrocortisone two to five times a day (or as needed) to relieve the pain. Apply the ointment directly to the affected area and gently rub into the skin with your fingers or a clean applicator. If you use your hands, wash and dry them thoroughly before applying the ointment - this will prevent the transfer of bacteria.
   • Be aware that hydrocortisone does not fight bacteria; it only helps reduce pain and inflammation.
3. Use over-the-counter pain relievers / anti-inflammatories. To reduce the pain and inflammation associated with folliculitis, you can use one of the many over-the-counter medications that are suitable for the treatment of this condition. Inexpensive, commonly used pain relievers such as acetaminophen and aspirin can relieve mild pain caused by folliculitis. Analgesic medications with anti-inflammatory properties, such as ibuprofen, are also excellent choices because they not only soothe the pain, but also provide temporary relief from the inflammation causing the pain.
   • While most over-the-counter painkillers are safe in small doses, heavy or long-term use can sometimes lead to serious conditions such as liver damage. So always make sure you read and follow the instructions on the packaging.
4. In severe cases, use antibiotics. For cases where the folliculitis does not respond to home care, it may be necessary to treat the underlying bacterial infection with antibiotics. Topical antibiotics are available in most drug stores and pharmacies. However, the stronger oral antibiotics are generally only available with a doctor's prescription and are usually prescribed only in the most severe cases.
5. In case the folliculitis is caused by fungus, use antifungals. As described in the introduction, folliculitis is in some cases caused not by bacteria but by a fungus. In this case, you will want to use an anti-fungal medication to treat the condition. Antifungals are available in both oral and topical form. As with antibiotics, mild antifungals are often available over the counter, while stronger ones are only available by prescription.
6. Have any boils or carbuncles drained by medical professionals. In very severe cases, folliculitis can eventually contribute to painful blisters and carbuncles that are full of pus. If you notice these boils, visit the doctor. While draining these boils will speed up the recovery process and limit eventual scarring, you don't want to do that yourself. Trying to squeeze out these boils and carbuncles without sterile medical instruments is guaranteed to give you a secondary infection.

Method 3 of 3: Prevent folliculitis-causing behavior

1. Do not shave the area. Folliculitis is often caused by shaving irritation or unsanitary shaving habits.If you have folliculitis on the skin under your beard, or elsewhere where you shave regularly, give that area a break from shaving. Prolonged shaving can irritate the area and even spread the disease from one section of hair to another.
   • If you have to shave, try to minimize the irritation. Try to use a razor instead of a razor. Shave in the direction of hair growth instead of against it. Always keep your razor clean.
2. Do not touch the area. Fingers and hands are among the largest carriers of bacteria. This means that they carry and transfer bacteria like an airplane carries and transfers people. Although the area may itch, sting, or hurt, it is important to resist the temptation to scratch or pick. Treat the area as a no-go area. Only try to get there if you are applying soap, medication, or a compress.
3. Do not wear tight clothes. Clothing that rubs against the skin throughout the day can cause irritation that can potentially lead to infection. In addition, skin infections can develop if air cannot get to the skin. If you're prone to folliculitis, make sure your clothes are soft and loose to minimize potential irritation.
   • Also try to avoid getting the clothing covering the affected area wet. Wet clothing quickly adheres to the skin, increasing the risk of irritation.
4. Don't expose your skin to irritants. Everyone's skin is different - some people develop breakouts or rashes quickly, while other people's skin is more resilient. If you have (or are prone to) folliculitis, try to minimize exposure to substances that you know will irritate you (especially those that you are allergic to). The irritation can lead to infection and can thwart the recovery process of an already present one.
   • For example, you may prefer to ignore certain cosmetics, oils, lotions and the like.
5. Do not bathe or swim in raw water. Folliculitis is colloquially referred to as a "jacuzzi rash" - and for good reason. Swimming, bathing, or otherwise submerging yourself in raw water - such as jacuzzi water that is not purified with chlorine - is often the cause of a folliculitis infection. Certain bacteria that can cause folliculitis, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, can be easily transferred through dirty water. If you are prone to folliculitis you will want to make sure you are not in contact with stagnant, untreated water.
6. Don't rely blindly on topical steroid creams. Certain drug treatments can lead to an increased risk of folliculitis with long-term use. Topical steroid creams (such as hydrocortisone) in particular can contribute to folliculitis. Paradoxically, topical hydrocortisone itself is a common treatment for mild folliculitis. If you're taking hydrocortisone to treat your folliculitis, make an appointment with a doctor if you don't see any improvement. Procrastination and blind reliance on steroid creams can actually make the infection worse.
7. Don't let existing wounds get infected. Hair follicles can become inflamed and infected if a nearby infection becomes irritated or allowed to spread. You therefore want to ensure that you have skin infections treated professionally and on time. Don't let the infections get out of hand - they are much more treatable if they are small and concentrated than if they have spread.