The Structure and Growth Cycle of Hair Follicles

hair follicles

Some folliculitis is caused by a contagious type of bacteria called staphylococcus, or staph. If you have a cut on your skin and touch something, like a towel, that has this germ on it, you may get infected. If so, you’ll be contagious until you’ve been treated with antibiotics for at least 48 hours. Dr. Peter Young is the medical director for Keeps, which specializes in treatment for men’s hair loss by way of FDA-approved, home-delivered treatments.

Conditions

The fastest way to get rid of folliculitis is to use topical or oral antibiotics. If you have a severe or persistent infection, your doctor may prescribe a stronger antibiotic. However, most cases of folliculitis can be treated at home with over-the-counter remedies like antiseptic preparations, antibiotic creams, and warm compresses. Practicing good hygiene, avoiding tight clothing, and keeping your skin dry can also help prevent folliculitis from occurring. If you have a large area of folliculitis, you can try using wet wraps to help soothe the skin and reduce inflammation.

Dissecting cellulitis of the scalp

CCCA and LPP fall under the umbrella of lymphocytic scarring alopecia. The telltale signs of  these conditions are chronic inflammation of the scalp and the scarring of hair follicles, which can result in irreversible hair loss, Agbai notes. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition that is characterized by “round patches of hair loss on the scalp,” although it can occur elsewhere on the body, Agbai says. While the exact reason for this type of hair loss is unknown, it is generally understood that “the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, leading to hair loss,” she adds. Congenital Sebaceous NevusCongenital sebaceous nevus, also called, nevus sebaceous of Jadassohn is a congenital sebaceous gland hamartoma. They are present at birth, devoid of normal hair follicles and can change at puberty, becoming thicker and greasy, when the sebaceous glands begin to proliferate.

Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing

Many people can treat mild or superficial cases with OTC antibiotics, a medicated shampoo, and lifestyle changes. However, infectious agents, such as bacteria and fungus, can cause folliculitis to spread if people share razors, towels, hairbrushes, and other personal hygiene products. Although anyone can develop razor burn, people with thick or curly hair may have a higher risk. Keeping the skin clean helps to prevent these conditions from happening and is essential for healing. Scrub your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 to 30 seconds after touching a boil.

Carbuncles are clusters of boils that are usually found on the back of the neck or thigh. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common bacteria to cause these infections. Outside of minoxidil, finasteride is a prescription pill for men with male pattern baldness. Many who take this medication will see new hair growth or the slowing of their existing hair loss.

For more severe cases of folliculitis, prescription medications may be necessary. These can include antibiotics, antifungal medications, and corticosteroids. The cross-sectional shape of hair also determines the amount of shine that the hair has.

Prevention

It could take up to four years before you see new hair growth out of damaged hair follicles, depending on the severity of your injury. Frequent injuries to your skin and hair follicles can produce scars, which make growing hair difficult. Hair that does grow is thinner and more fragile hair than normal. This can lead to hair loss at the site of your injured skin. A common skin condition, folliculitis happens when a hair follicle becomes infected or inflamed.

hair follicles

The arrector pili muscle, a tiny bundle of muscle fiber, is attached to the outer sheath. When the muscle contracts, it causes the hair to stand up, otherwise known as goosebumps. People who have medical conditions that affect their immune systems, such as rheumatoid arthritis, HIV, or diabetes, may want to consult a doctor to discuss prevention strategies. Folliculitis due to ingrown hairs usually improves when a person stops shaving for up to 1 week.

Types of scalp folliculitis

Recurrent folliculitis occurs when the infection keeps coming back, although it disappears with treatment. The gaps between episodes may get shorter and, eventually, chronic folliculitis is the result. It is important to note that not all bacterial infections are harmful. In fact, many bacteria are beneficial to the human body and help to maintain a healthy balance of microorganisms on the skin. The most common form of folliculitis, it causes itchy, white bumps filled with pus. You can get it if you cut yourself and bacteria (usually staph) gets in.

It’s in the shape of a cylinder with a rounded bottom in your skin. The top of the cylinder is an open hole, which is where your hair grows out. Your follicle is similar to a sock; your hair is your foot that goes into your sock. Attached to the follicle is a tiny bundle of muscle fiber called the arrector pili.

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In fact, as we get older, the number of hair follicles per square inch decreases as our bodies stretch and grow. It protects your skin and traps particles like dust around your eyes and ears. If your hair gets damaged, it can renew itself without scarring. Aureus lives on the skin and inside the nose, but it does not always cause an infection.

“Avoid tight hairstyles and hair accessories that pull on the hair and handle your hair with care to minimise breakage and damage. Notably, most pediatric hair loss issues are “acquired”, such as tinea capitis (fungal infection of the scalp), alopecia areata, and trichotillomania (hair loss from compulsive hair pulling). These are forms of “alopecia” where children who are born with normal hair, experience hair loss. When hair follicles become blocked in areas of the body containing sweat and oil glands, they can turn into hidradenitis suppurativa, a chronic skin condition. This condition affects areas of the body that sweat and have skin folds.

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