About Folliculitis
Key Highlights
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Effective treatment for inflamed and infected hair follicles.Reduces pain, itching, and discomfort associated with the condition.Helps prevent the spread of infection to surrounding skin.Minimizes the risk of scarring and permanent hair loss.Addresses the root cause (bacterial, fungal, or irritant) for long-term relief.Can include procedures like drainage for immediate symptom relief in severe cases./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Presence of small, red bumps or white-headed pimples around hair follicles.
- Clusters of itchy or tender bumps, often with pus.
- Recurrent skin infections in beard area, scalp, thighs, or buttocks.
- Folliculitis that does not improve with over-the-counter treatments.
- Development of deep, painful boils (furuncles) or carbuncles.
- Folliculitis caused by shaving, tight clothing, or exposure to contaminated water (e.g., hot tubs).
- Underlying conditions like diabetes or weakened immune system contributing to skin infections.
How to prepare
- Consultation with a dermatologist for accurate diagnosis and to determine the cause.
- Provide a complete medical history, including current medications and allergies.
- Avoid shaving or waxing the affected area for several days before the appointment.
- Stop using any topical creams or oils on the area unless prescribed.
- For a potential drainage procedure, the area may be cleaned with an antiseptic.
- No specific fasting or major lifestyle changes are typically required for most treatments.
Risks & possible complications
- Mild skin irritation, redness, or dryness from topical medications.
- Allergic reaction to prescribed antibiotics or antiseptics.
- Recurrence of infection if the underlying cause is not fully addressed.
- Temporary scarring or changes in skin pigmentation, especially after drainage.
- Rare risk of the infection spreading deeper, causing cellulitis or abscesses.
- Side effects from oral medications, such as stomach upset or yeast infections.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Keep the treated area clean and dry; gently wash with a recommended antiseptic cleanser.
- Apply prescribed topical antibiotics or creams as directed.
- Avoid shaving, scratching, or wearing tight clothing over the area until fully healed.
- Use warm compresses to soothe discomfort and encourage drainage if advised.
- Complete the full course of any oral medications to prevent recurrence.
- Follow up with your dermatologist if symptoms worsen or do not improve within a week.
- For laser treatments, avoid sun exposure and use sunscreen as directed.
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Typical hospital stay: 0 days (typically outpatient)
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Expected recovery time: 3-10 days
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering folliculitis in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for folliculitis in India include Manipal Hospital Jaipur, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform folliculitis. MediFyr helps you compare dermatologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for folliculitis compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Folliculitis in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated dermatology teams and experience managing patients undergoing folliculitis.
Diya Kumar, a 28-year-old software engineer,...
Diya Kumar, a 28-year-old software engineer, had always taken pride in her appearance. For the past six months, she had been battling persistent, itchy red bumps along her bikini line and inner thighs. Initially dismissing it as razor burn from shaving, she tried switching to waxing, which only made the inflammation worse. The bumps became painful, pus-filled pustules that left behind dark marks, making her self-conscious about wearing swimsuits or shorts. Her dermatologist, Dr. Sharma, diagnosed it as chronic bacterial folliculitis, likely exacerbated by friction from her workout clothes and shaving. She recommended a course of oral antibiotics (doxycycline) and a topical clindamycin lotion, along with strict instructions to wear loose cotton clothing, use a benzoyl peroxide wash, and temporarily stop all hair removal. Diya found the treatment straightforward but was frustrated by the slow progress and the need to avoid her preferred hair removal methods. After four weeks of consistent treatment, the active bumps cleared significantly, and the post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation began to fade. Emotionally, Diya moved from feeling embarrassed and frustrated by the persistent condition to feeling relieved and back in control of her skin. She learned to manage the condition with gentler hair removal techniques and preventive care.
Dermatologists for Folliculitis
Explore experienced dermatologists who regularly perform folliculitis and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 32 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
- 30 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 30 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 21 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 10 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 9 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 9 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Metro Hospital, Sector 11, Noida
- 7 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 7 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 6 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Hyderabad
- 3 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 21 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata
- 7 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road, Bangalore
- 25 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, Kolkata
- 5 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 8 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Manipal Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 40 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore
- 25 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, Kolkata
- 26 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Manipal Hospital Doddaballapur, Bangalore
- 43 Years Experience
- Dermatologist
Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, Kolkata