What is folliculitis?
An infection in the hair follicles is called folliculitis. The small pores around the roots of our hair usually get inflamed and itchy, and develop this infection. Folliculitis can occur in more than one hair follicle. It can occur anywhere on your body where hair grows, and not necessarily the scalp.
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The most common areas where you might develop this infection are the thighs, armpits, neck area and the buttocks. Wherever friction is more common, you run the risk of developing folliculitis. To treat the condition effectively, try these home remedies for folliculitis.
Bacterial folliculitis is caused by Staphylococcus, a very common bacterium that causes most skin infection. The condition, however, can also be caused by yeast or fungi.
Suggested read: 12 Amazingly Effective Home Remedies For Skin Rashes
The risk factors of folliculitis include,
- Weakened immune system
- Irritation due to shaving
- Ingrown hair
- Regularly wearing tight clothing
- Poor hygiene
- Skin conditions such as acne and dermatitis
Obesity might also increase your chances of developing this skin infection.
The most common symptoms that are associated with folliculitis include,
- Pimples
- Pus-filled bumps that crust over
- A large swollen mass or bump
- Inflamed skin
- Red skin; pain
- Tenderness
- Burning
- Swelling
- Itchy skin
Though folliculitis is not a serious condition, it can be pretty discomforting and painful. Also it is an embarrassing condition. To treat it quickly and effectively try these home remedies that are not only easy and simple, but also work like a medicine.
Home remedies for folliculitis
Here are the 10 best natural treatments to take care of this itchy and irritating skin condition.
- Warm Compress
To treat folliculitis, try a warm compress. This is the most effective home remedy and also the most popular owing to how simple it is.
Warm compress cures the symptoms of irritation and pain that are associated with folliculitis. It also improves the blood circulation to the affected area, thus quickening the healing process.
For the remedy, begin by boiling about 2 cups of water. To this water, add a teaspoon of salt. Allow the saline water to cool a little, and then soak a clean and soft cloth into the solution. Wringing out the excess water, apply the warm compress on the folliculitis-affected skin. Leave it on for at least 10 minutes.
The warm compress should be repeated 3 times a day to get the best results.
- Turmeric
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Remedy number 2 on our list is turmeric, which is a fantastic treatment for folliculitis. It is a natural antibiotic, and quite effective at that. As a result, it fights against staph bacteria, which causes folliculitis in most cases.
Since turmeric contains curcumin which is anti-inflammatory in nature, it helps reduce swelling, pus formation and pain, all common symptoms associated with this skin infection.
For the remedy, you should take some coconut oil and mix half a teaspoon of turmeric powder to prepare a paste. You can use olive oil in place of coconut oil, if you wish. Now apply the paste on the folliculitis-affected area. Leave it on for a couple of hours, after which, wash the area with lukewarm water. Reapply the paste. You need to keep repeating the treatment until the infection is completely treated.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
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Next remedy for folliculitis which is easy, simple, cheap, and yet effective, is apple cider vinegar. Since the vinegar is antibacterial, it ensures that you don’t develop an infection. It is also antiseptic and rich in antiviral properties, which hastens the process of healing.
Also, the vinegar works wonders on the symptoms of folliculitis like swelling, inflammation and itching.
For the remedy, begin by combining unfiltered apple cider vinegar and lukewarm water in the ratio 1:2. Using a clean cotton ball, apply this combination on the affected area, and leave it on for at least 10 minutes. Now clean the area with lukewarm water, after which, you can apply some coconut oil to keep the skin moisturized. The coconut oil will further control the irritation and itching.
- Colloidal Silver
Try colloidal silver on your affected area to treat the condition. The remedy works on many different forms of bacterium and fungus. It works effectively on staph bacteria which causes folliculitis in most cases.
For the remedy, apply about 3 drops of the colloidal silver on the infection. You need to cover the area with bandage.
Repeat the remedy two time a day until the infection is cured.
- Tea Tree Oil
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To treat folliculitis and other similar skin conditions, try tea tree oil that owing to its therapeutic properties will cure the infection in no time.
Tea tree oil is also antibacterial and will prevent the infection from spreading further.
For the remedy, you will have to first dilute the tea tree oil. For this mix 5 drops of the oil with 3 tablespoons of olive oil. You can also use coconut oil in place of olive oil. Now massage this mix on the affected skin. Leave it on for about a couple of hours, and then wash it off.
The remedy should be repeated two times a day for quicker recovery.
People who are using essential tea tree oil for the first time, it is recommended that you do a patch test first to ensure you are not allergic to it.
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- Rubbing Alcohol
To treat folliculitis effectively, try rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol is a disinfectant, which clears skin infections quickly and also causes faster healing.
Rubbing alcohol is therapeutic in nature, and so, it treats the symptoms of itching and discomfort, associated with this skin condition.
For the remedy, you need to first take some rubbing alcohol of 70 per cent strength in a clean cotton swab. Apply this swab on the infected area and let it stay for 10 minutes. Now wash off the area with lukewarm water. Follow this with some coconut oil to moisturize the area as the rubbing alcohol can dry up the skin.
This remedy should be repeated twice every day until the condition is treated.
- Indian Lilac
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Neem of Indian lilac destroys bacteria which harm our body. Owing this antibacterial property, neem is a great natural treatment for folliculitis.
Since it is antibiotic too, Indian lilac, eases other symptoms of inflammation as well as pain.
For the remedy, you need to get your hands on some neem leaves. Wash them properly, and crush them into a consistent paste. Now apply the paste on the affected area, and leave it on for half an hour. Rinse the paste off with lukewarm water, and pat it dry with a soft and clean cloth.
This remedy should be repeated thrice a day for as long as it takes to cure the infection.
8. Aloe Vera Gel
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To treat folliculitis, a very effective natural remedy that can come to your rescue is aloe vera gel. The gel is antibacterial and hence destroys the bacteria causing the condition. It also prevents the infection from spreading further.
Aloe vera gel is also soothing, and so it will heal the other symptoms of folliculitis like itching and discomfort. The burning sensation that many feeling because of the scratching, will also be treated by this gel.
Aloe vera gel balances the acid-base level of the skin, which further speeds up the process of healing.
First, slice open a leaf of aloe vera and extract the gel. Now apply this gel on the skin and leave it on for at least an hour. Wash it off with lukewarm water.
You need to repeat this remedy two times a day for best results.
9. Oil of Oregano
The last remedy on our list today is the oil of oregano, which is a superb remedy against folliculitis and also other similar skin-related infections.
The oil is an antibacterial agent which destroys the staph bacteria that causes the condition in the first place. The antibacterial properties are present in the form of carvacrol and terpenes and the oil is also a fungicide as it contains thymol.
For the remedy, you need to first dilute the oil as it is extremely strong and potent. To dilute the oil, mix 10 drops of it with 5 teaspoons of olive oil. Now apply the mix on the affected area and leave it on for at least a couple of hours if not more. Now rinse it off with lukewarm water and using a soft and clean cloth, pat the area dry. Remember not to rub the area, as it can further worsen your condition.
The treatment should be repeated thrice a day for best results.
If despite these home remedies an infection develops or the pain increases, then you need to get your condition examined by a primary healthcare provider.
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That is all we have on today’s post on home remedies for folliculitis. Was this helpful? Will you be recommending it to others too? If you have some remedies that you would like to share with us, then please do so in the comment section below.
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