In the photo, the inflammation of the hair follicle resembles an ordinary pimple. But still, this skin disease is of a slightly different nature. Does this ailment have any peculiarities, how to treat it, and can complications be avoided?
What is the hair follicle
The hair follicle is the pore, which is the receptacle of the hair root, where the hair shaft forms and grows out.
It depends on him what the structure, color and length of the hair will be. The hair follicle is located in the dermal layer. Consists of the following parts:
- hair follicle;
- follicular funnel;
- root vagina;
- holding muscle.
And also capillaries, sweat and sebaceous glands communicate with it. The capillaries are responsible for nutrition, and the sebaceous glands for lubricating the hair with sebaceous secretion, which protects against aggressive environmental influences. But in the absence of proper hygiene or an excess of sebum production, it is the activity of the sebaceous gland that contributes most to the inflammatory process.
Causes
The close location of the hair follicles to the surface makes them a target for infections and various fungi, especially when they are damaged during hair removal. Another common cause of inflammation is a blockage of the excretory duct of the hair bag with dirt, dead skin particles, or hardened sebum. In this case, sweat with sebaceous secretion can not find a way out, accumulating in the hair follicle. And as you know, sebum and sweat are a favorable environment for the multiplication of bacteria, fungi and viruses.
The inflammatory process in the hair follicle is called folliculitis. It is one of the varieties of pyoderma - purulent diseases of the skin layer caused by the activity of microorganisms.
If only one follicle is inflamed, then it is most likely a matter of non-hygiene, but in the case when there are several, it can already be classified as a rash. And this means that the matter is not only in non-compliance with hygiene. The causes of inflammation of the hair follicle may be as follows:
- allergic reaction;
- decreased immunity;
- colds;
- hormonal disruptions;
- fungal infection;
- diabetes;
- avitaminosis;
- disruption of the digestive tract.
Sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, syphilis are also accompanied by folliculitis.
The disease proceeds in several stages:
- Inflammation of the hair bag, slight redness is noticeable around the hair.
- Inflammation of the hair bag up to the root, a pustule forms, which begins to fill with pus.
- Inflammation affects the entire follicle and the sweat and sebaceous glands communicating with it, with a naked eye a noticeably large amount of pus in the pustule.
- Simple folliculitis ends either in the fact that the inflammation comes to naught, or an autopsy.
- In the event of an adverse outcome, it develops into complicated folliculitis.
But you should not count on the abscess opening itself and everything will pass. If you do not do this on time and in sterile conditions, then folliculitis can be burdened by complications, scars will remain.
Kinds
Folliculitis is classified according to several criteria. According to severity, it is divided into the following:
If this is a light or medium form, then after opening the pustules, the disease will decline.
According to the type of microorganism that caused inflammation, folliculitis is divided into the following types:
- bacterial;
- infectious;
- pseudo monad
- parasitic;
- fungal;
- viral.
At the place of localization on the body:
- genitals
- scalp;
- cheeks and chin in men;
- eyelashes;
- axillary hollows;
- other parts of the body.
According to the degree of damage, it can be superficial (no more than 5-7 mm) and deep (from 10 mm). It can become deep in the event of a complication of the superficial, or be so initially if it is caused by a secondary infection. In this case, a painful nodule first appears outside. After about 5 days, the abscess itself appears at the site of the nodule.
By the nature of the course, it can be acute and chronic. Untreated acute can develop into a chronic one. When inflammation affects neighboring follicles over and over. And in the same follicle from time to time, inflammation can subside and flare up.
Folliculitis caused by careless shaving and neglect of disinfection after it is called sycosis.
Barley
This is essentially the same folliculitis, but more specific localization. Ophthalmologists call it Hordeolum. This is a purulent inflammation of the eyelash hair sac. It is accompanied by flushing of the eyelid skin and the formation of pustules with pus. A rather painful formation due to location, often the eye cannot even be opened due to swelling and pus.
The main cause of occurrence is staphylococcus aureus entering the hair follicle with reduced immunity.
It is necessary to contact urgently - and not to a dermatologist, but to an ophthalmologist. If an autopsy is shown, then it is carried out exclusively in a hospital setting. How to treat inflammation of the hair follicle in the eye at home? Such an idea in serious cases is extremely unreasonable and fraught even with loss of vision.
Inflammation on the head
As in the case of barley, the main cause of inflammation of the hair follicle on the head is the Staphylococcus aureus bacterium. But its carrier is about 20% of the entire world population, and not all of them suffer from folliculitis. Because something should provoke folliculitis. Usually this is a decrease in immunity or neglect of hygiene. Scalp folliculitis caused by staphylococcus is called ostiofolliculitis.
But it can also occur in older people suffering from cerebral arteriosclerosis. They are tormented by the intolerable itching of the scalp, and they infect the hair follicles damaged by scratching.
In men, Hoffman folliculitis is found on the head. It is characterized by hair loss on the affected part and the separation of pus from the open fistula.
The inflammation of the hair follicle on the head is particularly unpleasant in that it is accompanied by partial alopecia. It is difficult to treat the affected area with local ointments if you do not shave your hair. And this is quite tragic for many. In especially advanced cases, folliculitis leaves scars after itself, in the place of which hair will never grow. Therefore, it is better to treat it completely, without leading to complications.
Ingrown hair
Due to frequent hair removal and poor-quality exfoliation of the body, hair in front of it may not find a way out due to overgrowing of the hair follicle. In this case, it changes its direction and begins to grow inward. Like any foreign body, it thereby causes inflammation. If the hair has not sprouted far, and folliculitis has not grown into a severe stage, sometimes it is enough to simply conduct a qualitative exfoliation of the body. Then the hair will be available so that it can be picked up with tweezers and pulled to the surface. It is advisable to carry out this procedure with a cosmetologist and always under sterile conditions. Since it will no longer grow in this case, then the inflammation should come to naught. If folliculitis has managed to develop quite strongly, then you still need to contact a dermatologist. He will open the inflamed follicle, drain the cavity and prescribe the standard treatment for this case.
Symptoms
The most striking of the symptoms of inflammation of the hair follicle is the formation of a pus bubble around the hair. The area around it will be painful, especially when pressed, is prone to hyperemia. But other symptoms of different types of folliculitis may vary.
With bacterial, those places that are exposed to razors or friction are more often affected. It has a multiple character and is accompanied by intolerable itching.
Infectious can be accompanied by alopecia, it is difficult to external treatment, since the problem is inside the body.
With Hoffmann folliculitis, a rounded region forms, which changes its color to jaundice blue with fluctuating contents inside. Hair stops growing on it, and when pressed, pus is released.
Pseudomonas is characteristic in that the symptoms appear after taking water procedures, including at home. The main reason is infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in ponds and pools. Contact with Pseudomonas aeruginosa itself does not necessarily entail pseudomonas folliculitis. But after bathing in public places it is better to wash your body with antibacterial soap. Most often found in children.
Complications
In most cases, folliculitis does not pose a serious danger. But if the disease is started, the root cause is not eliminated or the immunity is weakened, then serious complications such as abscess, boil, scars, carbuncle and alopecia of the scalp can appear.
An abscess is an inflammation in the deep layers of the dermis that does not have pus going out. Gradually, normal tissues are replaced with purulent cavities. It has quite serious consequences and requires an urgent opening and drainage of the cavity.
Carbuncle is an inflammation of the hair follicles, but in an acute form, accompanied by partial necrosis of the affected tissues. With carbuncle, inflammation passes to the deepest layers of the dermis. A spectacle is not for the faint of heart and threatens with inflammation of the soft tissues located under the dermis. It is accompanied by intoxication of the body. From Latin carbunculus is translated as "coal". This name was given to him because of his external resemblance to a burn.
Furunculosis or boiling is also a complication of folliculitis. This is an inflammatory process that spreads from the follicle to the connective tissue and is accompanied by necrotic damage. It is very difficult to cure to the end, and it constantly arises again and again, in especially severe cases it does not pass at all. Running furunculosis can damage the rhizome of the hair irreversibly. And this means that even after the boil passes, the hair in this place will never grow back. A rather serious scar may also remain. These complications are exclusively cosmetic and do not pose a health threat.
Diagnostics
Externally, the cause of folliculitis is not always easy to identify. The absence of infiltrate around the hair follicle usually indicates a staphylococcal nature, but this is not enough for a full diagnosis. Sometimes it is quite difficult for a specialist to determine which type of inflammation of the hair follicle is this (including photos). For a complete diagnosis, a blood test or the contents of the pustule itself, a careful examination and clarification of all accompanying symptoms are required.
For diagnosis, a dermatologist may ask about the following points:
- eating habits;
- rest in exotic countries;
- sex life and the possibility of contracting sexually transmitted diseases;
- how long the disease lasts;
- how hygiene is maintained;
- are there any diseases of the hormonal system;
- Does the patient visit a fitness club, pool and other facilities of a similar nature.
To identify the nature of the disease is important primarily for the selection of adequate treatment. After all, depending on what microorganisms caused folliculitis, different medications will be needed.
Treatment
If you open the abscess in time, disinfect and cover it with a band-aid for scarring, most often you will not need additional treatment for inflammation of the hair follicle. The main thing is not to touch the formed pustules and abscesses with dirty hands.
But often, inflammation is seen at 2 or 3 stages, when it is best not to intervene. Especially if it came to tissue necrosis. In this case, you need to contact a dermatologist. He will make an examination and conduct diagnostics, after which, if necessary, he will be sent to the purulent surgery department, so that the surgeon in the hospital will perform an autopsy and subsequent drainage of the purulent cavity. On the same day you can leave the hospital and go home. After emptying the pustule, symptoms gradually regress.
Further, the specialist will make appointments on how to treat the inflammation of the hair follicle further at home. Usually, conservative therapy in the form of taking antibiotics follows. The type of antibiotic depends on which microorganisms caused folliculitis. Therefore, they should be prescribed exclusively by a doctor, based on this and other individual factors.
Subsequently, you will have to visit the surgeon several times so that he flushes the wound and does a dressing. This will be necessary until the wound is healed and the risk of infection has passed. If it is not possible to visit the surgery department every day, then dressing can be done at home, but be sure to follow all the instructions of the surgeon.
If an autopsy was not required, then the affected area is treated with alcohol and local ointments until the inflammation disappears. If it is barley on the eye, ointments are laid directly under the eyelid. Sometimes it is appropriate to use physiotherapy, such as irradiation with a quartz lamp or UHF therapy. But with acute purulent inflammation of the hair follicle, this may be contraindicated.
It is forbidden to use any compresses and dry heat at home without consulting a doctor, as ignorance can provoke an aggravation of the situation.
Prevention
The main type of prevention is personal hygiene, the use of antibacterial soap.
But here are some more useful tips to avoid this disease:
- After epilation, do not neglect scrub and disinfecting lotion.
- Mascara can be used only by one person and not longer than three months.
- The towel should be washed in water at least 90 ° C and at least twice a week.
- Take a fresh towel every day.
- After visiting public bathing places, always wash thoroughly.
- Avoid unprotected accidental sexual contact.
- Thoroughly treat all personal hygiene items with an antiseptic.
- Do not comb itchy places with nails or at least cut them.
- Wear linen and clothes made of cotton, as synthetics promotes the growth of bacteria.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle as a whole will enhance immunity and protect against similar skin diseases.