It is an infection in areas of the openings of the skin through which the normal hairs are growing(hair follicles) or when one’s hair grows back into the skin (ingrown hair), the infection builds up causing spots.
Hot tub folliculitis (Pseudomonas folliculitis)
Exposed to bacteria in hot tubs and heated pools in which the chlorine and pH levels aren’t well-regulated or when wearing a swimsuit containing contaminated water.
Gram-negative folliculitis (Acne patients):
Antibiotics alter the normal balance of bacteria in the nose.
This leads to an overgrowth of the gram-negative bacteria which can spread to the skin around the nose and mouth.
Common areas include:
Scalp (shaving, scalp conditions)
Face (shaving , acne medication, skin conditions)
Buttocks (Friction)
Arms and legs (shaving, skin conditions)
It can be infectious and one can catch it from someone else already infected
Cause
Bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas) i.e.
Cuts or wound to skin or waxing on hairy areas for example legs, arms , chest, man’s beard(barber’s itch)
Injuries to your skin, such as from scrapes or surgical wounds
Friction from shaving or tight clothing
Trapped heat on skin (living in hot, warm climates)
Trapped sweat on skin
Exposed to or trapping contaminated water caused by wearing rubber gloves or waders, swimsuits
Coverings on your skin, such as plastic dressings or adhesive tape
Pre-shave, hydrate the hair to soften. This can be done with a warm, damp towel (like how your skin is prepped for shave in the barbershop). At home, it’s more practical to shave immediately after showering. This allows the skin and hair to be well hydrated and softened. Shaving hair that is well-hydrated is more likely to produce a blunt tip, rather than a sharp end.5
Use moisturizing shaving cream or gels to give a shave with less drag. Friction can irritate the skin.
Don’t pull the skin taut when shaving. This gives you a closer shave, but a close shave isn’t what you’re going for. When the skin is pulled taut, the hair is cut so close that it stretches and then retracts under the skin’s surface. This makes ingrown hairs much more likely as the hair grows out.
Use a single blade razor rather than one with multiple blades. Along the same lines, with a multiple blade razor, one blade pulls and stretches the hair while the other blade cuts the hair short enough to retract below the skin’s surface. You may also get good results switching to an electric razor rather than a blade.
Shave in the direction of hair growth rather than against the grain. Doing this won’t give you as close of a shave, so you won’t feel completely smooth. But again that is the goal—to keep the hair just above the surface of the skin so there is less chance of it turning and growing into the skin’s tissue.
Shave less frequently, if possible. Again, this allows the hair to stay a bit on the longer side, reducing ingrown hair development.
Use clippers instead of a razor. This doesn’t give you a close, clean shave, but rather keeps hair very short but above the skin’s surface. It’s recommended that you leave the hair at least 1 millimeter long.
Verywellhealth
Avoid shaving irritated skin.
Use an electric razor or a new disposable razor each time you shave.
Consider other methods of hair removal
Treat mild folliculitis
Use an antibacterial soap.
Apply hot, moist compresses to the affected area.
Consider taking oral allergy medication i.e. antihistamines
Wash towels, washcloths, and bed linens often.
Wear loose-fitting clothes.
Skinsight
Patients can self-manage with the use of topical antiseptics, such as chlorhexidine, povidone-iodine or triclosan, which can be used for seven to ten days.
Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice
Detailed Information
Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Folliculitis (Bacterial spots) in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).
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