Clear up folliculitis with a convenient online consultation

Folliculitis is a skin condition where the hair follicles become inflamed. This can lead to an infection of the skin that presents as whiteheads or red bumps. If left untreated, the infection can turn into sores, penetrating deep under the skin. It’s also commonly referred to as hot tub folliculitis (or rash) and barber’s itch.

It can be prevented by shaving or waxing less and wearing breathable clothes to avoid trapping sweat. You should also avoid entering dirty hot tubs or pools.

Although rare, if the scalp infection becomes chronic, folliculitis can cause hair loss and scarring over time. This chronic infection is caused by Staphylococcus aureus, a common bacteria that leads to severe inflammation in some people.

There are both generic and brand versions of Clindamycin, Clindamycin-Benzoyl Peroxide, Clindamycin Phosphate and Mupirocin. These antibiotics are prescribed in different forms (such as gels, foams, lotions, or creams) to accommodate the sensitivity of different skin types. All of them are antibiotics that work to slow down bacterial growth and reproduction.

Dr. B offers several different antibiotic treatments for this condition depending on your skin type. Folliculitis treatments are prescribed as a gel, lotion, foam, cream, or solution. Clean and dry the affected area before applying a thin film of the medication to the skin.

Common side effects may include: dryness or peeling of treated skin, redness or other irritation, joint pain, mild burning or stinging, itching or tingling, heartburn, metallic taste in the mouth, nausea, vomiting or white patches in the mouth. These symptoms are typically mild and may diminish over time. Talk to your prescribing doctor if they continue or worsen.

At this time we don’t submit medical consultation claims to insurance companies, but you can use insurance for any resulting prescriptions at your pharmacy.