Bikini line-waxing, shaving, and wearing tight clothing can cause your skin to get irritated. Developing a rash or embarrassing bumps next to your vagina can be quite bothersome. What’s even more agitating is when you find yourself unable to clear up the problem.
Many women don’t realize that most often when they have bumps left behind from waxing or shaving that it tends to be related to an infected hair follicle, where a condition known as Foliccuiltis occurs.
No need for embarrassment however, follicultis is a very common condition, which can be treated with antibiotics. Should any scaring occur from follicultis there are options for vaginal rejuvenation procedures to help you regain your soft flawless skin.
What is Folliculitis?
Folliculitis occurs when hair follicles become infected, often with Staphylococcus aureus or other bacteria. There are many variations of folliculitis, including those known as hot tub folliculitis and barber’s itch. Severe infections can cause permanent hair loss and scarring, and even mild folliculitis can be uncomfortable and embarrassing.
The infection usually appears as small, white-headed pimples around one or more hair follicles — the tiny pockets from which each hair grows. Most cases of folliculitis are superficial, and they may itch, but on occasion they’re painful too. Superficial folliculitis often clears by itself in a few days, but deep or recurring folliculitis may need medical treatment.
What Causes Folliculitis?
Folliculitis is caused by an infection of the hair follicles by bacteria, viruses or fungi. The most common cause of folliculitis is Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
Follicles are densest on your scalp, but they occur everywhere on your body except your palms, soles and mucous membranes, such as your lips. If follicles become damaged, they become susceptible to invasion.
The most common causes of follicle damage include:
- Friction from shaving or tight clothing
- Excessive perspiration
- Inflammatory skin conditions, including dermatitis and acne
- Injuries to your skin, such as abrasions or surgical wounds
- Coverings on your skin, such as plastic dressings or adhesive tape
Types of Folliculitis
Superficial folliculitis, which affects the upper part of the hair follicle, may cause:
- Clusters of small red or pus-filled bumps that develop around hair follicles
- Pus-filled blisters that break open and crust over
- Red and inflamed skin
- Itchiness or tenderness
Deep folliculitis starts deeper in the skin surrounding the hair follicle and affects the entire hair follicle. Signs and symptoms of include:
- A large swollen bump or mass
- Pus-filled blisters that break open and crust over
- Pain
- Possible scars once the infection clears
Types of Superficial Folliculitis
Superficial forms of folliculitis include:
- Staphylococcal folliculitis. This common type is marked by itchy, white, pus-filled bumps that can occur anywhere on your body where hair follicles are present. It occurs when hair follicles become infected with Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria. Although staph bacteria live on your skin all the time, they generally cause problems only when they enter your body through a cut or other wound.
- Pseudomonas folliculitis (hot tub folliculitis). The pseudomonas bacteria that cause this form of folliculitis thrive in a wide range of environments, including hot tubs in which the chlorine and pH levels aren’t well regulated. Within eight hours to five days of exposure to the bacteria, a rash of red, round, itchy bumps will appear that later may develop into small pus-filled blisters (pustules).
Types of Deep Folliculitis
Types of deep folliculitis include:
- Gram-negative folliculitis. This sometimes develops if you’re receiving long-term antibiotic treatment for acne. Antibiotics alter the normal balance of bacteria in the nose, leading to an overgrowth of harmful organisms (gram-negative bacteria). In a few people, however, gram-negative bacteria spread and cause new, sometimes-severe acne lesions. Boils and carbuncles. These occur when hair follicles become deeply infected with staph bacteria.
- Eosinophilic folliculitis. Seen primarily in those with HIV, this type of folliculitis is characterized by recurring patches of inflamed, pus-filled sores, primarily on the face and sometimes on the back or upper arms. The sores usually spread, may itch intensely and often leave areas of darker than normal skin (hyperpigmentation) when they heal.
Treatment for Folliculitis in New York City
While mild cases of folliculitis will likely go away on their own, persistent or recurring cases are likely to require treatment. The therapy recommended by the doctors at The Cosmetic Gynecology Surgery Suite will depend on the type and severity of your infection.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment at our Park Avenue office in New York City.
