Folliculitis – the clinical types and their management

Folliculitis is superficial inflammation of the hair follicle at its opening to the skin surface (ostium or infundibulum), although the process may extend deeper down the hair shaft. It is characterised by inflamed papules and pustules centered around hair follicles. Causes include various infections and noninfective injury, although often a combination of these aetiological factors is responsible (Table 1). For a few individuals, the treatment of folliculitis can be difficult.