What should you know about cephalexin for scalp folliculitis?

Folliculitis affects hair follicles and can look like small pimples, tender bumps, or pustules. On the scalp, irritation from shaving, friction, oils, occlusive products, ingrown hairs, or yeast can resemble bacterial folliculitis. Cephalexin works against certain bacteria, so a clinician may examine the scalp and consider the pattern, drainage, tenderness, and recurrence before prescribing it.

An itchy scalp or bumps do not by themselves establish a bacterial infection. If the cause is not bacterial, an oral antibiotic may not improve the problem and another treatment may be needed.

Use cephalexin only as directed, keep doses consistent, and follow the prescribed course unless the prescriber changes it. Keep the scalp clean with a gentle shampoo, avoid picking or squeezing bumps, and pause irritating styling products or close shaving over affected skin. Do not share combs, hats, towels, or pillowcases until a clinician has explained whether spread is a concern.

Contact a clinician promptly if pain, swelling, pus, or redness is increasing, if fever appears, or if patches of hair loss develop. Seek urgent help for trouble breathing, facial swelling, severe dizziness, blistering, or peeling after a dose. Persistent or recurrent scalp folliculitis deserves review because repeated antibiotics may miss an underlying trigger.

Ask what findings support bacterial folliculitis, whether a culture or non-antibiotic treatment is useful, how to manage hair products, and when the scalp should be checked again.