Folliculitis: Pictures, Causes & Treatment
Folliculitis is inflammation or infection of hair follicles, producing small red or skin-coloured bumps and pustules, each centred on a hair. It is very common after shaving, waxing, sweating under tight clothing or bathing in poorly maintained hot tubs.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Celina Kazumi Iwasa, MD · Last reviewed 2026-08-23
Quick answer
Folliculitis is inflammation of hair follicles that appears as clusters of small itchy or tender bumps and pustules, each with a hair at its centre. Common causes are shaving and friction, Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, Malassezia yeast, occlusion from sweat and tight clothing, and Pseudomonas from hot tubs. Mild cases clear in a week or two with antibacterial washes, loosened clothing and a break from shaving; deeper or persistent cases need prescribed antibiotics or antifungals.
What folliculitis looks like
Folliculitis shows as crops of small dome-shaped bumps, some with a white or yellow pustular top, each pierced by a hair. Superficial folliculitis is itchy and mildly tender; deeper folliculitis produces larger, painful nodules that can become boils. Lesions heal without scarring unless they are deep or repeatedly picked.
Common locations
- Beard area, neck and jawline (after shaving)
- Thighs, buttocks and groin
- Chest, upper back and shoulders
- Armpits and legs after waxing or shaving
- Scalp, especially the back of the head
Typical signs
- Small bumps or pustules with a central hair
- Itch, prickle or mild soreness
- Clusters appearing 1–3 days after shaving or sweating
- Occasional crusting when pustules burst
- Darkened marks left behind after healing
On brown and Black skin
On deeper skin tones, folliculitis is a frequent cause of persistent dark spots, and repeated shaving of curly hair can lead to pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor bumps) and keloidal scarring at the nape.
Causes and triggers
Follicles become inflamed when they are damaged, occluded or colonised. Identifying which of these is dominant determines whether treatment should be antibacterial, antifungal or purely mechanical.
| Trigger | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Shaving, waxing and plucking | Micro-trauma and re-entering curly hairs inflame the follicle — the most common cause overall. |
| Staphylococcus aureus | Bacterial folliculitis with yellow-topped pustules; can progress to boils if untreated. |
| Malassezia yeast | Uniform itchy bumps on the chest, back and shoulders in young adults; often mistaken for acne and does not respond to antibiotics. |
| Pseudomonas (hot-tub folliculitis) | Itchy bumps appearing 1–3 days after a poorly chlorinated hot tub or pool, worst under swimwear. |
| Occlusion and friction | Tight sportswear, backpacks, heavy oils and prolonged sitting trap sweat against follicles. |
| Long-term antibiotics or steroids | Can produce gram-negative folliculitis or steroid-induced follicular eruptions on the face and trunk. |
Conditions that look similar
The presence of a hair at the centre of each bump is the strongest clue for folliculitis.
| Condition | How to tell it apart |
|---|---|
| Acne | Includes blackheads and whiteheads and concentrates on the face, chest and back; folliculitis has no comedones. |
| Keratosis pilaris | Permanent rough goosebump texture on the upper arms and thighs, not inflamed crops that come and go. |
| Heat rash | Tiny prickly bumps in hot, occluded areas that settle within hours of cooling. |
| Herpes simplex | Painful grouped blisters in the same site each time, often preceded by tingling. |
| Hidradenitis suppurativa | Recurrent painful deep nodules and tunnels in the armpits and groin needing specialist care. |
Treatment options
Most folliculitis settles with simple measures within one to two weeks. Treatment is chosen by cause: antibacterial for staph, antifungal for Malassezia, and mechanical change for shaving and friction.
Stop the trigger
Pause shaving or waxing for a week or two, switch to a single-blade razor or clippers, shave with the grain, and avoid tight synthetic clothing over affected areas.
Antibacterial washes
Benzoyl peroxide or chlorhexidine washes reduce staph colonisation. Wash and fully dry after exercise, and use clean towels and fresh clothing each time.
Topical prescriptions
Topical antibiotics such as clindamycin or mupirocin for bacterial folliculitis; topical antifungals such as ketoconazole for Malassezia folliculitis, which often needs several weeks.
Oral treatment
Widespread, deep or recurrent folliculitis may need a course of oral antibiotics or oral antifungals. Recurrent staph folliculitis sometimes requires nasal decolonisation.
Hot-tub folliculitis
Pseudomonas folliculitis usually resolves without treatment in 7–14 days. Shower and change out of swimwear immediately after using a spa, and avoid pools with unclear maintenance.
When to see a doctor
Get medical advice if bumps are spreading, painful, recurrent, or not improving after two weeks of hygiene measures — and sooner if you are immunosuppressed or diabetic.
Red flags
- Painful lumps growing larger than a pea (boil or abscess)
- Fever, spreading redness or red streaks from the area
- Facial folliculitis around the nose or upper lip that is worsening
- Scalp folliculitis with hair loss or scarring
- Recurrent outbreaks despite treatment, or any outbreak while immunosuppressed
Frequently asked questions
What does folliculitis look like?
Folliculitis appears as crops of small dome-shaped bumps or white-topped pustules, each with a hair emerging from the centre. It is usually itchy or slightly tender and occurs where hair is shaved or where clothing traps sweat — the beard area, thighs, buttocks, chest and back.
How long does folliculitis take to clear?
Mild folliculitis usually settles within 7–14 days once shaving stops and the area is kept clean, cool and dry. Malassezia folliculitis needs several weeks of antifungal treatment, and deep or recurrent bacterial folliculitis may need a longer course of oral antibiotics.
Is folliculitis contagious?
The inflammation itself is not passed on, but the bacteria and yeast involved can be shared through razors, towels, clothing and hot tubs. Do not share razors or towels, and wash items in hot water during an outbreak.
What is the difference between folliculitis and acne?
Acne includes blackheads and whiteheads and results from clogged oil glands, mainly on the face, chest and back. Folliculitis has no comedones, each bump sits on a hair, and it is triggered by shaving, friction, sweating or infection. Malassezia folliculitis is often misdiagnosed as acne and does not respond to acne antibiotics.
Can I pop folliculitis bumps?
No. Squeezing pushes bacteria deeper, increases the risk of boils and scarring, and leaves lasting dark marks — especially on deeper skin tones. Use warm compresses and appropriate topical treatment instead.
How do I stop folliculitis coming back?
Shave less often and with the grain using a clean single-blade razor or clippers, use an antibacterial wash a few times a week, shower promptly after exercise, wear breathable fabrics, and avoid heavy occlusive oils on the chest and back. Persistent recurrence deserves a clinician's review to identify the organism.
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This page is for general information and does not replace a medical consultation. If you are worried about a skin change, see a qualified clinician.