Folliculitis: Treatment Overview

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Treatment Overview

Mild cases of folliculitis sometimes heal on their own. But folliculitis may return or get worse. If your folliculitis spreads or returns, see your doctor for treatment.

If your infection is caused by bacteria and it is:

• Mild, you can try an antibiotic ointment or cream such as bacitracin, polymyxin B sulfate (Polysporin), clindamycin, erythromycin, or mupirocin (Bactroban). You may also use an antiseptic cleanser, such as povidone-iodine (for example, Betadine) or chlorhexidine.
• Deeper or more severe, you will need to take antibiotic pills. Your doctor may prescribe dicloxacillin, erythromycin, or cephalexin (such as Keflex). Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and ofloxacin (such as Floxin) are used for certain types of bacteria.

If your infection is caused by a fungus:

• You will need to take antifungal pills, such as fluconazole (Diflucan), griseofulvin (Fulvicin-U/F or Gris-PEG, for example), itraconazole (Sporanox), or terbinafine (Lamisil).
• Your doctor may give you a corticosteroid to reduce inflammation.

If folliculitis occurs on your scalp or beard area, you can use a shampoo containing selenium sulfide 2.5%, selenium 1%, or 50% propylene glycol.

For stubborn or recurrent cases of folliculitis, laser treatment may be an option. Laser treatment destroys the hair follicle and reduces the scarring that results from folliculitis. But hair will no longer grow in the treated area. Laser treatment is expensive.

Last updated:	June 26, 2007
Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Alexander H. Murray, MD, FRCPC - Dermatology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer