Folliculitis is a skin condition generally caused by a bacterial or fungal infection that affects the hair follicle. Scalp folliculitis occurs specifically on the scalp. The area in question becomes inflamed and you may experience red bumps or white pus-filled bumps that eventually pop and then scab. You’re at greater risk for folliculitis if you have very curly hair and shave, have acne or because of lifestyle decisions that increase your risk ie. you wear tight clothing, damage your hair follicles, etc. Folliculitis may occur anywhere you have hair and tends to occur more frequently on areas of friction. Mild cases of folliculitis may disappear on its own.
Acne is a skin condition where the hair follicle gets blocked with dead skin cells resulting in a pimple, blackhead or whitehead. Acne tends to appear during our teenage years but many adults also suffer as well. While treatments are available, it can persist and severe acne can result in permanent scarring particularly on the face and forehead. In many cases, acne disappears as we reach a certain age and is no longer a problem.
The problem is that folliculitis and acne have similar characteristics and some people may have difficulty telling the difference. The treatments for each may be very different, too.
Folliculitis
- Typically appears as red bumps or white pus-filled bumps.
- Usually occurs because of a bacterial infection, staph infection, virus, fungus or trauma to the hair follicle(s).
- Can occur anywhere you have hair but it’s most prevalent on areas of your body where clothing and skin rub against one another ie. friction is created.
- Wearing a tight shirt, hat, helmet, etc can exacerbate the problem.
- Mild folliculitis may disappear on its own.
- More serious cases might require a topical shampoo.
- Even more serious cases might require an antibiotic ointment, gel or cream.
- The most serious cases might require surgery or laser surgery treatments.
- A dermatologist can provide the best course of treatment if folliculitis doesn’t clear up on its own or returns regularly.
Acne
- Acne is caused when hair follicles are clogged with dead skin cells and oil. The resulting bump appears as a blackhead, zit or whitehead.
- Teenagers normally experience acne at some point and it can also continue well into adulthood.
- Acne typically occurs on the face, nose, neck and back.
- Severe cases of acne may result in permanent scarring.
- While we’re often told that food choices, stress and dirt contribute to acne, these factors don’t normally play a role.
- We can exacerbate the problem with improper washing and use of cosmetics and other topical products that block the pores (comedogenic products like coconut oil).
- Water-based products are typically more suitable for acne sufferers.
Conclusion
- Scalp folliculitis is a condition that affects the hair follicle and is caused by a bacterial or viral infection.
- Mild cases can disappear on their own but topical products, antibiotic pills and surgery are options for more serious cases.
- Acne occurs when hair follicles are blocked with dead skin cells and oil and become a blackhead, whitehead or zit.
- Acne typically affects us beginning during our teenage years but often continues to adulthood.
- Learn how to deal with scalp folliculitis from an earlier post that I wrote on the subject.
- If you think you may suffer from the more serious acne keloidalis nuchae, you might be interested to learn more about dealing with this condition.
Folliculitis vs acne: Have you dealt with one or both and if so, what treatment worked for you?