How To Prevent The Irritating And Unsightly Folliculitis

Folliculitis is a condition in which the walls of your hair follicles become inflamed and form pustules. The condition can be caused by a number of things including friction, infection, excessive perspiration, and even other skin conditions and irritants. If you have a weak immune system, are obese or have a skin injury, then you should take measures to prevent folliculitis. This is because those are some of the risk factors for the condition. Here are some of the effective preventive measures:

Wear Loose, Comfortable Cloths

As hinted in the introduction, friction is one of the causes of folliculitis. Wearing tight clothing increases the level of friction between your skin and the material. Therefore, you can lower your risk for the disease by wearing clothes that fit you comfortably, but not too tight. This is especially necessary when you are engaged in an exercise that creates a lot of friction between your clothes and skin, such as sports.

Prevent Razor Bumps

Razor bumps irritate the skin, which can lead to folliculitis. Therefore, you need to shave carefully so as not to create the bumps. Achieve this by:

  • Moistening your skin before shaving
  • Using a moisturizer after shaving
  • Using a thick shaving cream
  • Rinsing your skin with cold water after the shave

Stick to Hygienic Hot Tubs

Hot tub rash is a form of folliculitis caused by the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. Most people get it when they use unhygienic hot tubs or spas because the bacteria thrive in warm, moist areas. For your tubs at home, you can prevent the infection by cleaning them regularly and adding the recommended amount of chlorine. It's also advisable not to share baths with those who have the skin irritations. For tubs elsewhere, avoid getting into one unless you are certain of its cleanliness.

Be Keen with Your Personal Hygiene

Folliculitis caused by bacteria can spread via contaminated pieces of clothing or personal objects. Therefore, it is wise to avoid sharing towels, change your shaving blades regularly, and shower after exercise or after working with contaminants such as chemicals. The idea is to prevent anything that may contaminate your skin from doing so.

Avoid Prolonged Use of Rubber Gloves

Lastly, you should also avoid heating your skin too much because that would make you sweat, which is a recipe for folliculitis too. This is why those whose work involves wearing rubber gloves tend to have this condition. Rubber gloves are not breathable, which means they trap the sweat, and they also heat up your skin considerably. If you must wear them, then take them off as frequently as possible. Also, wash and dry them thoroughly, preferably with the insides turned out, after each day of use.

If you do develop the condition, then you need to see a dermatologist because it is treatable. Treatment for folliculitis is customized to its cause. It may involve the use of topical creams, anti-inflammatory medication, laser treatment and others. For more information, contact J Kent Bartruff MD PA or a similar medical professional.


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