Folliculitis is the inflammation of hair follicles, resulting from small skin abscesses, that can occur anywhere on the skin. The cause of most cases of folliculitis is the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus which enters the body through tiny breaks in the skin, such as those caused by friction with clothing, shaving too closely, or insect bites.
Bacteria rapidly reproduce in environments where pores or follicles are clogged, often the groin, neck or underarms. Folliculitis can cause Itching, Rash, pustules or reddened areas of skin.
Treatment
Treatment of folliculitis involves cleansing of the area, application of topical antiseptics and antibiotic ointments. In more severe cases, oral antibiotics may be prescribed by the doctor. If the infection persists, a culture of the abscess may be taken for laboratory examination. Complications of folliculitis include the spreading of infection to adjacent areas and the development of methicillin-resistant bacteria, or MRSA, which, in worst case scenarios, may become a serious systemic infection
