Having folliculitis on your scalp can be unsightly and embarrassing, not to mention painful and itchy. If you are looking for a more natural remedy for this condition, you have come to the right place.
In this article, I’ll share home remedies for folliculitis on scalp.
From herbal treatments to DIY scalp scrubs, read on to discover how each remedy could potentially bring soothing relief from folliculitis inflammation.
What is Folliculitis?
Folliculitis is a common skin condition that affects many people, in which the hair follicles become inflamed and irritated.
It can be caused by a bacterial or fungal infection, or even an allergic reaction.
In some cases, it may also be caused by friction from tight clothing or sweating.
Common symptoms of folliculitis include small red bumps around the affected area, itchiness, burning sensation, redness and irritation along with possible white-headed pimples at their most extreme.
Treatments typically involve some form of topical treatment such as antibiotics or antifungal medications to help reduce inflammation and prevent furthering of the infection.
If severe enough to cause scarring, then laser therapy may be recommended to avoid inflammation and promote healing.
In general, it is important for those afflicted with folliculitis to take preventive measures such as wearing loose fitting clothing, avoiding excess contact with dirty surfaces/areas and utilizing cleanliness when coming into contact with any shared items (such as towels).
What Are The Different Types of Scalp Folliculitis?
Scalp folliculitis is a condition that affects the hair follicles of the scalp. It can be caused by many factors, including bacterial infection, inflammation, and irritation of the scalp.
Bacterial folliculitis is one of the most common types of scalp folliculitis and occurs when bacteria infects individual hair follicles.
This type of folliculitis is characterized by small red bumps on the scalp that may become itchy or painful.
Mild cases can often be treated at home with an antibacterial shampoo and topical creams to help reduce inflammation.
Severe cases may need oral antibiotics to treat the underlying bacterial infection and prevent further spread of the infection.
Folliculitis can also occur due to damage or irritation to the hair follicles from heat styling, chemicals in hair products, tight braiding or ponytails, or friction from hats or helmets.
This type of milder form is usually not contagious, but still needs to be treated correctly to reduce symptoms and prevent reinfection.
Treatment often involves avoiding any practices that could have caused damage to the scalp, such as tight hairstyles, switching out chemical-laden products for natural ones, keeping your scalp clean.
Plus, keeping your scalp well moisturized with regular shampooing, and using a mild antimicrobial/anti-inflammatory product such as tea tree oil twice weekly until symptoms resolve.
If left untreated, folliculitis can spread quickly throughout your entire head, which is why early diagnosis and intervention are important for both preventing further spread and symptom resolution.
While some more severe forms may require medical attention (such as those caused by staph infections) many people find they can effectively treat their scalps at home.
With specialized shampoos designed specifically for this purpose, along with topical cream treatments like hydrocortisone or other anti-inflammatory medications prescribed by a doctor, depending on severity.
What Are The Symptoms of Scalp Folliculitis?
Folliculitis may present itself in a variety of ways. One form is scalp folliculitis, which can range from mild to severe.
Symptoms of scalp folliculitis usually appear as an infection beginning around the hairline, affecting the skin on the scalp.
Mild cases of scalp folliculitis often look like pimples or ingrown hairs that become swollen and contain pus if ruptured, while more severe cases may have a much higher concentration of infected bumps.
These bumps are often red, tender and filled with pus that must be drained by a doctor in order for treatment to begin properly.
Other symptoms experienced with this condition include white-headed pimples that may start to spread beyond the hairline along with itching, burning sensations or even scaly patches where previously there was none on affected areas of the scalp.
In very severe cases of folliculitis, large bald areas may occur due to infected hairs being shed from widespread inflammation and damage caused by infection.
It is important for anyone who suspects they have any form of folliculitis to seek medical advice immediately to receive proper diagnosis and treatment options before it spreads further or becomes worse.
How To Treat Scalp Folliculitis?
Treating folliculitis at home can be done by ensuring that good hygiene practices are adhered to, such as regular shampooing.
Scalp folliculitis is caused by an overgrowth of yeast or fungus on the scalp and can result in small bumps on your scalp and an itchy rash.
To treat a milder case of this scalp infection, try using a medicated shampoo or ointment with either antifungal or antibacterial properties.
Be sure to use enough product for a full lather, so the ingredients have time to penetrate deep into the scalp and offer optimal relief from symptoms.
You should also make sure that you are changing your pillowcase often to prevent re-infection from occurring.
In more severe cases, high strength topical steroids may be prescribed by a doctor to reduce inflammation and itching of the scalp, as well as clearing up any bumps.
If these treatments do not work for you, it might be time to visit your doctor for further help with treating your folliculitis.
Remember that early intervention is key when dealing with this condition, since it can become worse if left untreated over time.
Home Remedies for Folliculitis on Scalp
Folliculitis on the scalp is an unpleasant condition which can lead to hair loss, itching and even permanent scarring.
Fortunately, there are a few simple home remedies which may help soothe the symptoms and treat folliculitis at home, so you don’t suffer issues with hair growth.
Before attempting any of these remedies, it is important to speak to your doctor or dermatologist to identify the cause of your mild folliculitis, as this will affect how you should proceed.
Your physician may recommend a topical antibiotic cream such as ketoconazole or clindamycin.
These antibiotics have shown effective results in treating scalp folliculitis and should be used consistently for full efficacy.
Additionally, one of the simplest home remedies and effective treatment for folliculitis on scalps is washing with an antibacterial soap.
Using something gentle but effective to treat scalp folliculitis at home, like Hibiscrub or Phisioderm once or twice daily, will remove bacteria from the scalp, reduce inflammation and prevent further outbreaks of infection.
It’s important to avoid using harsh products on your scalp, as they can damage the epidermal walls of skin cells; leading to irritation and further spread of infection.
Another great remedy for treating folliculitis at home is tea tree oil shampoo.
Tea tree oil has both antifungal and antibacterial properties, which make it an excellent choice for combating infections within hair follicles – it can also leave your hair feeling softer due to its therapeutic properties.
When applied directly onto infected areas several times per week, tea tree oil shampoos can help reduce irritation and defend against further outbreaks by keeping skin clean from bacteria and fungi that cause infection within the pores beneath our hair’s surface.
For more severe cases of scalp folliculitis accompanied by pustules (small bumps filled with pus), a warm compress made up of either plain water or diluted white vinegar works wonders when applied directly onto affected areas several times throughout the day.
This helps soothe your scalp while draining out built-up fluid within pustules, which can lead to faster recoveries in some cases.
Is Fungal Scalp Folliculitis Contagious?
Fungal scalp folliculitis is an inflammatory condition of the skin caused by a fungal infection. It occurs when fungus adheres to and multiplies within the hair follicles, causing inflammation and irritation.
The fungi can be contagious, meaning it can spread from person to person. This typically happens when someone with the infection comes into contact with another person’s scalp or scalp secretions, such as through hair sharing or head-to-head contact.
To reduce your risk of transmitting the infection, do not share combs, brushes, hats, helmets or any other objects that come into close contact with your scalp.
Frequent handwashing and avoiding direct contact of your head with others’ heads may help prevent transferring the infection to another individual.
Change Your Hair Care Routine To Prevent Scalp Folliculitis
It is important to take care of your scalp and hair health, especially if you suffer from scalp folliculitis. To minimize the risk of future-breakouts or to prevent severe ones, it is essential to change your hair care routine.
Focus on regular cleansing of your scalp with a gentle shampoo that can reduce the build-up of bacteria and fungi on the skin surface.
Avoid any styling product such as oils or waxes that can clog up pores and provide a conducive environment for the overgrowth of these microorganisms.
Ensure you use a hairdryer on its lowest setting after washing your hair to prevent irritation caused by heat damage.
Keep a lookout for any signs or symptoms indicative of an infection, such as tenderness/itchiness/inflammation etc., as timely treatment will improve the prognosis significantly.
Summary
The cause folliculitis on the scalp is a common condition caused by bacteria, fungi or irritation of the scalp. Symptoms include small red bumps that may contain pus, itchy and burning sensations, and scaly patches.
Mild cases can be treated at home with an antibacterial shampoo and topical creams to reduce inflammation. Severe cases may need oral antibiotics prescribed by a doctor.
To reduce symptoms further, take preventive measures such as wearing loose clothing and keeping the scalp clean.
Home remedies for folliculitis on scalps include using medicated shampoos, tea tree oil shampoo and warm compresses of plain water or diluted white vinegar applied directly onto affected areas several times per day.
Fungal scalp folliculitis is contagious, so it’s important not to share combs or hats with others to reduce the risk of infection spreading from person-to-person, so see a doctor if you have any concerns.
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