Can You Manage Folliculitis by Squeezing It Yourself?

When red blemishes appear on the skin, most people think they are acne, but some of them may be folliculitis. Folliculitis is a condition in which the hair follicle, where hair grows, becomes inflamed due to bacteria, fungi, friction, and other causes. Although it looks similar to acne, the causes and management methods are different, so it is best not to handle it carelessly and to see a dermatologist.

Skin trouble on the skin, folliculitis?

Folliculitis can occur anywhere there is hair, such as the chin, neck, arms, legs, buttocks, or scalp. It may start as a small bump, but if it worsens, it can become painful and may fill with yellow pus. The main symptoms appear as red pimples or small pustules, and they may be accompanied by itching or a stinging sensation.

As inflammation progresses, the surrounding skin may swell or hurt when pressed. Unlike acne, folliculitis is caused by bacteria infecting the hair follicle regardless of sebum production, so it can easily develop even in dry skin or environments where sweat does not dry well. It often occurs after shaving, in areas where tight clothing is frequently worn, or in places with a lot of friction, and it can also develop when hygiene is poor or when razors and towels are shared.

Why you should not squeeze folliculitis

At this point, many people think it is acne and try to squeeze it with their hands or pop it with a needle. However, if folliculitis is squeezed, the inflammation can spread further. Bacteria inside the hair follicle can spread to the surrounding skin, causing the inflammation to spread more widely, and there is also a risk of secondary infection from lingering discharge. In particular, if your hands or tools are not clean, the bacteria can penetrate deeper and even cause an abscess. If the wound that forms after squeezing does not heal, there is also a higher chance of pigmentation or scarring. Caution is needed because scars can remain for a long time in noticeable areas such as the face or neck.

If you want to prevent folliculitis scars

If folliculitis develops, controlling the inflammation is more important than squeezing it. In the early stage, when the inflammation is not severe, it may improve simply by keeping the area clean and avoiding irritation. However, if there is swelling, visible pus, or repeated recurrence, it is best to see a dermatologist to identify the cause. Depending on the cause of the inflammation, it may be classified as bacterial or fungal, and different treatments are commonly used accordingly. For bacterial folliculitis, applying a topical antibacterial ointment or using oral antibiotics when necessary is known, while for fungal folliculitis, antifungal medication is used. If the inflammation is deep or has developed into a cystic form, it may be disinfected and squeezed, or a procedure to reduce inflammation may be performed together.

Daily skin hygiene is important

To prevent folliculitis scars, it is most important not to touch the area with your hands. If skin regeneration goes well while the inflammation subsides, scars may not remain, but if you keep touching or squeezing it, regeneration slows down and pigmentation is more likely to remain. If needed, treatments that help skin regeneration are widely known and may help reduce scarring after the inflammation has subsided.

Keeping your skin clean in daily life also helps greatly in preventing folliculitis. If you sweat a lot, wash it off right away, and it is best to wear breathable clothing so the skin is not irritated. When shaving, use a clean razor and shave gently so that the skin is not injured. After showering, dry off with a towel and then apply moisturizer, and you should use a personal towel so bacteria are not transferred. In addition, lack of sleep, stress, and irregular eating habits can weaken the skin's immunity and worsen folliculitis, so maintaining a regular lifestyle is important. The most basic prevention method is to protect the balance of your skin through hygiene and habit management in daily life.