The infection of hair follicles, known as folliculitis, is caused by the invasion of the skin by bacteria, fungi or viruses. These microorganisms may get into the system through minute cuts on the surface of the skin caused while shaving or due to excessive perspiration and friction between the clothes and the body. Skin disorders like eczema, dermatitis and acne may also render the hair follicles susceptible to infection. Direct contact with harmful chemical substances like coal tar and pitch, may also cause folliculitis. The most common symptoms of this condition are tender, red swellings on the surface of the skin and formation of pus in tiny blisters, accompanied with itching and pain. Folliculitis may affect the scalp as well as any other part of the body where thin hairs are present.
Prevent Hair Follicle Infection
There are a few precautionary measures you should follow to prevent infection of the hair follicles. You should avoid wearing tight fitting garments, especially if you tend to perspire a lot and during the hot, humid summer season. This reduces the chances of friction and irritation caused to the skin by contact with clothes and thus prevents hair follicles from getting infected. You should wear natural fabrics in order to allow air to pass freely through your clothes and to soak up excess perspiration. This helps keep the skin dry and thus prevents the invasion by microorganisms. You should also avoid sharing towels, combs, razors and bed linen with another people, as this increases the chances of infection. These articles of personal use should also be washed and cleaned regularly.
Besides, you may follow a few effective home remedies to treat this condition. An effective way of soothing inflamed and irritated skin caused by folliculitis is to add half a cup of oatmeal powder or baking powder to a tub of bathwater and to soak your body in this for 15 minutes every day. You may also topically apply Margosa oil or tea tree oil on the affected areas in order to destroy the infection causing germs. Application of the juice of aloe vera leaves is also helpful in reducing the itching to a great extent. You should also soak a wad of cotton in a solution of apple cider vinegar and water, and dab the affected portions of the skin with it at regular intervals. This reduces the pain and swelling and helps quicken the natural process of healing.