dermatologic disorders
Folliculitis
Introduction
Folliculitis is an infection of hair follicles. Diagnosis is clinical. Treatment for most cases of bacterial folliculitis is with topicalmupirocinorclindamycin. (See also Overview of Bacterial Skin Infections .) The etiology of folliculitis is often unclear, but perspiration, trauma, friction, and occlusion of the skin are known to potentiate infection. The pathogen may be bacterial, fungal, viral, or parasitic. Bacterial folliculitis is usually caused byStaphylococcus aureus, but occasionallyPseudomonas aeruginosa(hot tub folliculitis) or other organisms have been reported. Hot tub folliculitis occurs because of inadequate chemical treatment of water. Acne Vulgaris is a noninfectious form of folliculitis. 