Yes, showering is an important part of managing and preventing folliculitis through good hygiene practices. Proper showering helps keep the skin clean, removes sweat and bacteria, and aids in the healing process of mild cases.
Here are some things you can do to prevent folliculitis or to keep it from getting worse. Bathe or shower after you exercise and after you're near chemicals. Wear loose clothing, especially if it's hot or humid outside. Change your shirt if it gets sweaty.
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.
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 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.
The rash appears as small red bumps or pus bumps that can itch or be mildly painful. Folliculitis is common on the buttocks, arms and legs - especially the thighs. Most improve in 7 to 10 days. Sometimes after the rash is gone, dark marks can be left behind.
Initial treatment of folliculitis includes warm compresses 2-3 times per day. Certain antibacterial soaps including Dial®, Hibiclens® wash or a benzoyl peroxide wash can be helpful, though can irritate the skin. For more severe cases, topical or even oral antibiotics can be used.
People who live in crowded conditions, have poor hygiene or chronic skin diseases, or whose nasal passages contain Staphylococcus are more likely to have repeat episodes of folliculitis or skin abscesses. A weakened immune system, obesity, old age, and possibly diabetes are also common risk factors.
Try relieving itchy skin with a soothing lotion or a nonprescription-strength hydrocortisone cream. Clean the affected skin. Gently wash the infected skin at least twice a day with an antibacterial soap or cleanser, such as benzoyl peroxide.
Hot tub folliculitis
As the name suggests, this tends to affect people after using a hot tub. The hot water encourages a bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa to grow (particularly if there is not enough chlorine in the water to keep it clean).
In less severe types of folliculitis, like Pseudomonas folliculitis (hot tub rash), your symptoms will typically fade within a few days without treatment. If they don't, reach out to your healthcare provider. When you have a more severe case of folliculitis, oral antibiotics may be needed to treat the condition.
Neutrophilic folliculitis is often induced and/or exacerbated by a high-fat diet (HFD). However, the molecular mechanisms by which an HFD affects neutrophilic folliculitis are not fully understood.
Stress can be a contributing factor to folliculitis.
Mild folliculitis can be treated at home with steps that will help the body heal and ease any discomfort:
Bacterial folliculitis.
This common type is a rash of itchy, pus-filled bumps. It occurs when hair follicles become infected with bacteria, usually Staphylococcus aureus (staph). Staph bacteria live on the skin all the time. And they can cause problems when they enter the body through a cut or other wound.
Sunlight can sometimes help folliculitis by improving skin health and reducing inflammation. However, excessive sun exposure can worsen skin irritation, potentially leading to negative long-term effects.
Common causes of folliculitis may include: Shaving, which can cause irritation or ingrown hairs. Friction from tight clothing. Excessive sweating, especially in humid conditions.
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.
Treatment for folliculitis
Recommended treatments include saline washes, antibacterial soap (both available at a chemist) and antibiotics can be prescribed by a doctor.
Rinse your razor after each swipe, and store it in a dry area. If you have folliculitis, try to avoid shaving for at least a few weeks. Don't scratch the bumps. Bathe or shower daily with a mild soap.
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.
Castor oil. As with tea tree oil, castor oil is effective at killing folliculitis-causing bacteria and also has the added benefit or relieving pain and itching where applied.
Soak in a bleach bath twice a week for 10 to 15 minutes. This may help keep bacterial folliculitis from coming back.
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.
Nidos-AF Anti-Fungal Body Wash is a dermatologist-formulated cleanser enriched with Tea Tree Oil, Aloe Vera, and Mint to gently wash away impurities and fight fungal infections. Its advanced formula with 2% Ketoconazole soothes irritation, reduces itching, and prevents body odor caused by microbes.