hair folliculitis Archives - Miami Hair Institute

Most Common Causes of Scalp Inflammation and Hair Loss

Scalp Inflammation If your scalp is irritated, if it itches, if it is inflamed, or if you feel burning sensations on the top of your head, you may be suffering from a common but treatable condition known as scalp folliculitis. In addition to these annoying and sometimes painful symptoms, scalp folliculitis can also cause hair loss. With a proper diagnosis by a trained and experienced hair loss professional who can identify the specific source of the problem, folliculitis can be remedied, as can any resulting hair loss.

Symptoms and Causes of Folliculitis

The most impactful aspect of scalp folliculitis, and the one most responsible for hair loss, is the moderate to severe irritation of the hair follicles. This irritation, in addition to being uncomfortable, may disrupt normal hair growth when left untreated, causing follicles to weaken, die, and eventually fall out.

The most common symptoms of folliculitis include pimples, itchiness, burning sensations, or discharge along the hairline, crown of the head, or rear/sides of the scalp. Don’t make the situation any worse by scratching, which will only add to the discomfort and do nothing to solve the problem.

There is no one single cause of hair folliculitis; it can be the result of many different factors, including:

Yeast
Fungus
Bacteria
Psoriasis
Damaged hair follicles
Blockage caused by irritants like sweat, oils, and cosmetic makeup

Treatment for Hair Folliculitis and Accompanying Hair Loss

The key to effectively treating scalp folliculitis is correctly identifying the cause. An antibiotic ointment may be effective for defeating an infection-based case of folliculitis but won’t do you much good if your condition was the result of psoriasis, for example.

Once your physician or hair loss professional evaluates your condition and determines the nature of your folliculitis, he or she will recommend the optimal treatment. Folliculitis caused by infection can be treated with over the counter antibiotic oral medication, ointments and washes such as benzoyl peroxide (Clearasil, Proactiv), chlorhexidine (Hibiclens), or Phisoderm. If fungus is the source of your folliculitis, antifungal shampoos such as Nizoral A‑D, available over-the-counter, will reduce and eliminate the source of your condition when used regularly. Similarly, non-infectious hair folliculitis can be treated by thoroughly cleaning excess sebum from the scalp with a prescription shampoo.

In conjunction with addressing the underlying folliculitis, you and your hair loss doctor can also take steps to address and remedy any hair loss you may have experienced as a result of the condition. This could include such treatments as:

Topical hair loss foams such as Rogaine®.
Prescription hair loss medication such as finasteride, better known as Propecia® (available only for men).
Laser hair restoration, a minimally invasive, nonsurgical hair restoration option that involves laser treatment up to 3-4 times weekly. Patients may visit our office to receive laser therapy, or they may purchase a personal-use hair restoration laser like the Capillus272™ Profor use at home.

Call Miami Hair Today to Schedule a Folliculitis Consultation

If you notice any of the symptoms of hair folliculitis, are experiencing irritation and discomfort of your scalp, or are losing hair, schedule a hair loss evaluation at the Hair Institute of Miami today. Our world-renowned experts will identify the nature of the problem and formulate an effective and personally tailored treatment plan. To learn more about treatment, contact our clinic at 305-925-0222.

Scalp Folliculitis and Hair Loss

Scalp folliculitis, or hair folliculitis, is common among both men and women. This condition is characterized by moderate to severe irritation of the hair follicle(s), which may disrupt normal hair growth when left untreated.

Know the symptoms. If the irritated area of skin exhibits red pimples that appear to have a hair growing from the center, you may have hair folliculitis. This condition is easily recognized on the arms, back, legs, and beard/neck area. It is not so easily recognized when it occurs on the scalp, making it important to consult a hair loss professional should you notice pimples, itchiness, burning sensations, or discharge along the hairline, crown of the head, or rear/sides of the scalp.

Use the information below to learn more about hair folliculitis, scalp irritation, and hair loss. If you believe hair folliculitis might be causing you hair to thin, recede, or bald, schedule a hair loss evaluation to learn more about effective treatment with world renowned experts at the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami.

What causes hair folliculitis?

Hair folliculitis is most commonly caused by the following:

Yeast
Fungus
Bacteria
Contact/rubbing from tight clothing
Damaged hair follicles (e.g. shaving irritation)
Blockage caused by irritants like sweat, oils, and cosmetic makeup

Can folliculitis lead to hair loss?

At first, the follicle may maintain its hair fiber while folliculitis begins to take effect. In time, irritation may make it impossible for the hair follicle to support a normal hair growth cycle. When pronounced, folliculitis can cause irritation so severe that it damages the hair follicle entirely, rendering it incapable of producing any hair at all.

Treat and Reverse Hair Folliculitis

There are a few effective ways to treat and reverse hair folliculitis.

Get a hair loss diagnosis. Because hair folliculitis can be difficult to identify, it’s important to consult a hair loss professional should you notice any of the symptoms described above.

Treat the folliculitis. Sometimes, folliculitis is caused by a bacterial infection that can be treated with an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment. In other cases, non-infectious hair folliculitis can be treated by thoroughly cleaning excess sebum from the scalp. When treating folliculitis, it’s important to follow the recommendation given by your hair loss professional.

Regain what’s lost. Finally, consider additional hair loss treatments to prevent additional hair loss while also thickening your hair. Topical foam, prescription medication, and low-level laser therapy are among the most common forms of treatment. More information on each of these hair loss treatments is provided below.

Topical Hair Loss Foam

Everyone has seen a commercial for Rogaine®. As one of the most popular topical hair loss foams, Rogaine is widely recognized by men, women, and hair loss professionals as a viable option for slowing and stopping the progression of hair loss. Visit the following page to learn more about hair loss treatments like Rogaine.

Prescription Hair Loss Medication

One of the most common prescription medications for hair loss is finasteride, better known as Propecia®. This drug is available only for men, and women must be careful not to handle these tablets, especially while pregnant or nursing. If you are a man suffering with hair loss, visit the following page to learn more about prescription medicines like Propecia.

Laser Hair Restoration

Laser Hair Restoration (LHT) is enjoying a lot of recent popularity among men, women, and physicians. This is a minimally invasive, nonsurgical hair restoration option that involves laser treatment up to 3-4 times weekly. Patients may visit our office to receive laser therapy, or they may purchase a personal-use hair restoration laser like the Capillus272™ Pro for use at home.

Folliculitis Diagnosis and Treatment in Miami

If you believe hair folliculitis might be causing you hair to thin, recede, or bald, schedule a hair loss evaluation to learn more about effective treatment with world renowned experts at the Hair Transplant Institute of Miami. Our surgeons, nurses, and staff represent the finest team in Miami. To learn more about treatment, contact our clinic at 305-925-0222.