Recognize Folliculitis, The Main Cause Of Itchy Head And Hair Loss

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JAKARTA - Itchy scalp can interfere with activities. If it occurs continuously, it can cause irritation to the skin barrier. So, it is important for you to know the cause of itching and how to treat it.

Itchy scalp is usually caused by dry scalp or dandruff. However, in more serious cases itching can be triggered due to folliculitis. Unlike dandruff, folliculitis requires antibiotic or antiseptic treatment to cure it. Some cases of folliculitis go away on their own. But others can develop ulcers or even cellulitis if left untreated.

For those who are unfamiliar with folliculitis, launches Byrdie, Tuesday, August 9, folliculitis is an inflammatory disorder of hair follicles characterized by the appearance of small bumps like pimples.

Folliculitis can be caused by inflammation due to ingrown hairs or an infection caused by bacteria, fungi or mites. There are two main types of folliculitis. The first is superficial folliculitis which is mild and usually easy to treat. The second type is deep folliculitis, which causes severe infection of the hair follicles and is more difficult to control.

Folliculitis can potentially get worse without antibiotic or antiseptic treatment. Without treatment, folliculitis can develop into hard, painful bumps filled with pus, known as boils.

In order to distinguish between dandruff-induced itching and folliculitis, the following VOI provides an explanation.

Small, itchy lesions: Folliculitis is often characterized by the presence of small itchy lesions along the front of the scalp. Itching can lead to further pain and infection, as scratching can introduce new bacteria into the damaged skin.

Red, inflamed, and swollen skin: Red, inflamed, swollen skin can also be a sign of folliculitis. The more folliculitis, the more inflamed the scalp is.

Burning or painful scalp: Folliculitis can also make you feel a burning sensation in the scalp or pain to the touch.

Whiteheads along the frontal hairline: The presence of small whiteheads along the frontal hairline is one of the most obvious indicators of folliculitis, especially when accompanied by other symptoms.

Purulent lumps: Folliculitis that gets worse causes the appearance of small pus-filled bumps.

Hair loss: Although not an early symptom, if scalp folliculitis becomes severe it can lead to hair loss. Consulting a dermatologist to treat folliculitis can help prevent hair loss.

Treatment of folliculitis can vary depending on the cause and severity. Without consulting a dermatologist, there are several treatments you can try at home.

Choose a natural antiseptic: Some essential oils are antiseptic or antifungal. You can use tea tree oil as a natural remedy to treat folliculitis.

Avoid hot water: Folliculitis causes scalp inflammation and irritation of the skin barrier. For that, use warm water instead of hot water to clean your hair, because hot water can worsen itching and cause dryness of the skin. Use an over-the-counter itch reliever: The itching of folliculitis may make you tempted to scratch, but this will only make the problem worse. Over-the-counter hydrocortisone and antihistamine creams are helpful in relieving itching symptoms.

Topical or oral antibiotics or antifungals: Other treatment options include using a prescribed topical antibiotic, such as a clindamycin gel or solution. Steroid lotions or creams are needed to control inflammation. You can get a prescription for this product from a dermatologist if needed.