Hair root inflammation is a very unpleasant but common inflammation of the hair follicle. Small pus nodules form around the hair at the root.
What is hair root inflammation?
Schematic diagram showing the anatomy and structure of human hair. Click to enlarge. Hair root inflammation describes inflammation of one or more hair follicles. All over the body, hair roots are surrounded by hair follicles. These are responsible for anchoring the hair in the skin. Only the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands are hairless. Therefore, folliculitis can occur all over the body. Frequently affected areas of the body are the scalp, beard hair, chest hair and leg hair. Due to the inflammation, whitish-yellow pus pustules form. Often the affected areas hurt or itch. Depending on the severity of the inflammation, a visit to the doctor is advisable.
Causes
Hair root inflammation occurs, for example, due to wet shaving, as it can cause injury to the hair follicles. In women, the legs and armpits are often affected, in men the beard area. The intimate area is also susceptible. Minimal injuries can cause germs to enter the skin and multiply there. Independent of shaving, folliculitis can also occur on the scalp and on the male chest. Hair folliculitis is a bacterial infection. The bacterium Staphylococcus aureus is usually responsible for this type of inflammation. This bacterium is part of the physiological skin flora of humans and is therefore omnipresent. If the bacterium has the opportunity to penetrate the body through injuries, inflammation occurs. Stapylococcus aureus finds suitable living conditions in the body. These are intensified by moist and warm conditions, such as occur during sweating. As a result, all types of skin folds are at risk. A weak immune system can also contribute to the development of hair root inflammation. As a result of diabetes, chronic hair root inflammation is common. A weakened immune system increases the risk of inflammation. Oil-containing care products also clog the sebaceous glands that end in the hair follicles. As a result, toxins can no longer be released to the outside. In some cases, this can therefore lead to inflammation of the affected tissue.
Symptoms, complaints and signs
Hair root inflammation is a small pustule that is pierced in the middle by a hair. Often, such pustules are filled with greenish-yellow pus. There is usually severe itching at the affected area. In some cases, hair root inflammations can be painful. Often they are a purely cosmetic problem and do not cause any discomfort. A typical symptom is a clearly visible reddening of the skin. In many cases, the focus of inflammation is severely swollen. In the case of untreated hair root inflammation, such nodules can also appear over a larger area. An abscess may develop. The pustules are typically about the size of a pinhead. However, if the inflammation spreads deeper, it can grow into a boil or even a carbuncle, which can be the size of a walnut. As a rule, hair follicle inflammation occurs only on parts of the body that have hair follicles. This is especially the case on the buttocks, chest, face on the chin or neck area, scalp, intimate area, arms, legs and thighs. In most cases, hair root inflammation heals on its own. Rarely, scarring and hair loss occur.
Diagnosis and course
Diagnosis of hair root inflammation is made by examining the affected area for characteristic features. These include swelling and redness around the hair follicle and pus nodules that are the size of pinheads. Normally, patients complain of itching. Basically, hair root inflammations are harmless and heal without problems under the appropriate conditions. An inflammation at the hair root usually affects several follicles and can spread over a large area. If inflammation occurs repeatedly, the attending physician will perform a detailed examination. In this case, the hair root inflammation can be an accompanying symptom of other diseases. This includes, for example, diabetes mellitus.
Complications
Hair root inflammation results in the formation of pus nodules on the hair.These knots on the hair can likewise spread to the beard, so that it comes to the so-called beard tangles. There is also severe redness and swelling, which can lead to pain. The aesthetics of the patient is also greatly reduced by the hair root inflammation, so that many affected people are ashamed of the symptoms and suffer from inferiority complexes. Itching on the scalp also develops. In most cases, this disease does not lead to any particular complications. It can be relatively well limited and controlled with the help of adequate hygiene. In most cases, medical treatment is necessary only if the hair root inflammation occurs repeatedly in the patient and cannot be completely controlled. Medications are used to inhibit the inflammation and thus relieve the symptoms. There are no further complications. However, it may be necessary to shave off the hair to completely remove the hair root inflammation. Life expectancy is not limited or reduced by this inflammation. However, it cannot be predicted whether the disease will recur in the patient later in life.
When should you see a doctor?
Hair root inflammation should always be treated by a doctor. As a rule, self-healing does not occur. If the hair root inflammation remains untreated, hair loss may occur. At the latest then a doctor should be consulted. However, it is advisable to see a doctor if pustules form on the hair roots. Small pus nodules can also form and are also associated with pain. Furthermore, boils on the scalp also indicate an inflammation of the hair roots and must be examined by a physician. The inflammation can spread from the scalp hair into the beard and cause the same complaints there. First and foremost, a dermatologist or general practitioner should be consulted for hair root inflammation. Both doctors can treat this inflammation. Special complications do not occur and there is always a positive course of the disease, if the inflammation is treated properly.
Treatment and therapy
Treatment of hair root inflammation is rarely necessary, however. In chronic or severe cases, however, a dermatologist should be consulted. This person will resort to an antiseptic for disinfection and an antibiotic ointment, which are applied to the inflamed areas. The doctor prescribes oral antibiotics only in the case of far advanced inflammation. These relieve the inflammation from within and kill the bacteria. If the cause of the hair follicle inflammation is wet shaving, it is advisable to refrain from shaving – at least until the inflammation has subsided. This applies to the legs and armpits of women as well as the beard hair of men. When shaving dry, it is important to pay attention to hygiene. This includes in particular the cleaning of the razor after each use. At best, the razor should be disinfected after each use. In case of inflammation of the hair follicles, it is important to pay attention to the right personal care products. Natural and non-irritating substances are the first choice. Products that receive tea tree oil are recommended. Tea tree oil gently nourishes the skin, has an antibacterial effect and does not clog the sebaceous glands. In acute cases, it is beneficial to dab the oil directly on the affected area.
Outlook and prognosis
Hair root inflammation has a good prognosis. In most cases, no medical care is needed by the patient. The use of other cures or therapies is also not necessary. There is spontaneous healing in hair root inflammation within a few days. Consequential symptoms or diseases are not to be expected in most cases of hair root inflammation. The inflamed areas of the body heal within a few hours of occurrence. Normally, the patient is free of symptoms within three days at the latest. Despite the good healing prospects, hair root inflammation may develop again in the course of life. If the causes of the inflammation are not found and prevented, a new development of the complaints is possible at any time. The good prognosis is not changed by the recurrence of symptoms. The affected person can also count on a good healing prospect in case of a renewed hair root inflammation.A deterioration of health is only given in very rare cases. As soon as the inflammation causes other pathogens to penetrate the inside of the body or open wounds form, the prognosis outlook changes. The germs, viruses or bacteria increase the risk of developing blood poisoning. This can result in a life-threatening condition for the patient. Only prompt and good medical care can lead to relief of the symptoms.
Prevention
There are several measures to prevent inflammation at the hair follicles. Healthy hygiene and personal hygiene is the first step to prevent folliculitis. Appropriate razors and its meticulous cleaning after use are essential. Care products that clog pores should be avoided. After shaving, only products that are neither pro-inflammatory nor highly stressful or irritating should be used. Cleaning and disinfection of the blades is just as important for wet shaving as for dry shaving. Blunt razor blades are another source of danger. These pull on the hair during shaving, causing small injuries that again create an entry point for bacteria. Immune system strengthening measures are useful for prevention. These include, for example, a healthy diet and the cessation of alcohol and cigarette consumption.
Aftercare
In the case of hair root inflammation, there are some aftercare options available to the affected person, but first and foremost the disease itself should be treated so that no further complications or discomfort occur. The earlier the inflammation is recognized and treated by a doctor, the better the further course of the disease usually is. The affected person should therefore contact a doctor at the first symptoms and signs of the disease in order to prevent further deterioration. The treatment itself is carried out by the use of various creams and other care products, which are intended to alleviate the symptoms. In doing so, the affected person should always ensure correct application with the prescribed dosage. A doctor should always be contacted if there are any questions or if anything is unclear. It should also be noted that the hair must be completely dried after washing, so that the hair root inflammation can not continue to spread. In many cases, tea tree oil can also alleviate the symptoms and speed up the healing process. Likewise, high standards of hygiene must be maintained to prevent recurrence of hair root inflammation. This disease usually does not negatively affect the life expectancy of the affected person.
What you can do yourself
Hair root inflammation is often caused by using an incorrect shaving technique. This can be quickly corrected with simple steps and little effort in everyday life. Here, the direction of shaving as well as the pressure exerted on the skin should be optimized. Hectic is to be avoided with a shave in principle. The razor blades are always to be kept clean and should be renewed regularly. Changing the razor or shaving method can help reduce discomfort. In addition, the use of skin care products before and after shaving should be adapted to the needs of the skin. In the case of hair root inflammation, it is important not to create open wounds, as germs can enter the organism through them. Often small swellings appear on the skin, which are filled with pus fluid. Using sterile materials, every affected person can remove the fluid himself by gently squeezing the affected areas of the skin. If the hair root inflammations occur more frequently on the head, the use of combs or brushes should be checked and optimized if possible. Frequent scratching of the head should be avoided. Likewise, the use of hair care products should be checked. In particular, people who tend to have flaky or dry skin need moisturizing care. Oily skin, on the other hand, should be provided with degreasing products.
