Types of folliculitis

Bacterial folliculitis often appears as small red or pus-filled bumps around hairs. Yeast-related folliculitis may produce many similar, itchy bumps, commonly on oily or sweaty areas. Irritant folliculitis can follow shaving, friction, heat, or occlusive products. Ingrown hairs occur when a hair curves back into the skin and may create a tender bump. These patterns can look alike, so appearance alone cannot confirm the cause.

Keep the area clean and dry, pause shaving over active bumps, and avoid squeezing or abrasive scrubs. Use only a treatment recommended for the suspected cause: an antibacterial medicine will not address every yeast-related or irritant pattern. Record where the bumps occur, whether they itch or hurt, and what happened before they appeared. This helps a clinician match treatment to the pattern.

Seek medical review when lesions are deep, painful, spreading, recurrent, or leaving marks. Prompt care is needed for fever, chills, rapidly increasing redness, or swelling. A clinician may reconsider the diagnosis when standard care does not help, particularly if the bumps are uniform, very itchy, or concentrated in a skin fold.

Ask which pattern fits your skin, whether a swab or other examination is needed, and how long to continue the recommended treatment before reassessment.