Folliculitis isn't generally contagious, but it can be if caused by contagious germs like Staphylococcus aureus (staph) or certain bacteria from contaminated water (like hot tubs), spread through skin contact, shared towels, or razors, requiring good hygiene to prevent transmission. Most cases stem from irritation (shaving, tight clothes), inflammation, or non-contagious fungi, but bacterial or viral types can pass between people, making it crucial to avoid sharing items and wash hands after touching affected areas.
Folliculitis is not highly contagious, but the causative agents, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or the Herpes simplex virus, can be transmitted through shared items like razors, towels, or direct contact.
To treat folliculitis during pregnancy, focus on gentle hygiene, warm compresses, and pregnancy-safe topical treatments like benzoyl peroxide or low-potency corticosteroids, while avoiding harsh scrubbing, as it often resolves after delivery, but always consult your doctor for diagnosis and personalized safe options, especially for severe itching or persistent cases.
Lotions, gels or pills to control bacterial infection.
For mild infection caused by bacteria, your health care provider may prescribe an antibiotic lotion or gel. Infection-fighting pills (oral antibiotics) aren't routinely used for folliculitis, but you may need them for a severe or repeat infection.
Causes of Folliculitis
Shaving, which can cause irritation or ingrown hairs. Friction from tight clothing. Excessive sweating, especially in humid conditions. Skin inflammation from underlying conditions like eczema.
Your hair follicles are surprisingly fragile and are prone to becoming infected and causing severe itchiness and discomfort. While folliculitis can be caused by outside elements not in your control, it can also result from not maintaining proper hygiene.
Folliculitis starts when hair follicles are damaged or when the follicle is blocked. For example, this may occur from rubbing against clothing or shaving. Most of the time, the damaged follicles become infected with staphylococci (staph) bacteria.
Folliculitis and mild boils may go away with no treatment. Warm cloths (compresses) may help ease symptoms and speed healing. Your healthcare provider may also prescribe topical antibiotics to apply to your skin. Moderate to severe boils and carbuncles are often treated by draining.
Stress can be a contributing factor to folliculitis.
Many people feel the need to scratch when they have folliculitis. It's best to try and not scratch at the spots because you don't want to open them up (this could possibly cause a worse infection of the hair follicle).
Most cases of folliculitis are mild, and will resolve in 7-10 days, but patients with recurring folliculitis (either short-lived or chronic) can usually be treated by their GP, and most pharmacies will be able to advise about over-the-counter treatments for pseudo-folliculitis.
Some research suggest that this condition may be due to hormone level imbalance during pregnancy . Other research indicate that this condition could be due to immunological changes, such as the reduction of T helper 1 immune cells and the increase in T helper 2 immune cells that occur specifically when pregnant.
Folliculitis may be caused by the herpes simplex virus. This tends to be tender and resolves without treatment in around ten days. Severe recurrent attacks may be treated with aciclovir and other antiviral agents.
Other types may be spread by touching contaminated personal items such as toothbrushes, eating utensils, or clothing, and then touching your face without first washing your hands. Types of colitis that are contagious include: Pseudomembranous colitis.
Folliculitis is an infection of a hair follicle. It looks like a tiny red or white pimple at the base of a hair. There may be only one infected follicle or many. Each infected follicle is itchy or slightly painful, but the person otherwise does not feel sick.
Shaving and waxing can change the direction your hair grows — wearing tight clothes can make this worse. This can cause irritation and folliculitis. If you shave your face you may get a chronic (ongoing) inflammation in your beard area. As the hair grows, the cut end digs into the skin causing inflammation.
Folliculitis is often caused when hair follicles are infected with bacteria, commonly Staphylococcus aureus (staph). It may also be caused by viruses, fungi, parasites, medications or physical injury. Sometimes the cause isn't known.
To treat folliculitis during pregnancy, focus on gentle hygiene, warm compresses, and pregnancy-safe topical treatments like benzoyl peroxide or low-potency corticosteroids, while avoiding harsh scrubbing, as it often resolves after delivery, but always consult your doctor for diagnosis and personalized safe options, especially for severe itching or persistent cases.
Deep Folliculitis is a more serious type of folliculitis that starts deeper in the skin surrounding the hair follicle and thus can infect the whole hair follicle. Deep folliculitis can manifest as a large swollen bump and pus-filled blisters and can cause pain and possible scarring once the infection has disappeared.
Disease Overview
Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis (EPF) is a skin disorder characterized by recurring itchy, red or skin-colored bumps and pustules (bumps containing pus). The condition is named after the fact that skin biopsies of this disorder find eosinophils (a type of immune cell) around hair follicles.
Poor hygiene: Not washing the skin regularly or not properly cleaning tools used to groom the skin, such as razors or loofahs, can increase the risk of developing folliculitis.
Severe vitamin A and C deficiency may cause folliculitis. [1] In vitamin A deficiency the skin shows follicular hyperkeratosis, dryness and generalised wrinkling.
The dirty details
The skin is one of bacteria's favorite places. When dead skin cells hang out in your sheets, bacteria can thrive. If the dead skin flakes get back onto your skin, it can lead to folliculitis or make eczema, a common type of skin rash, worse.