Seocho Dermatology Clinic: I Thought It Was Acne... What Are the Causes and Symptoms of Folliculitis?

Seocho Dermatology Clinic: I Thought It Was Acne... What Are the Causes and Symptoms of Folliculitis?

When a red pimple appears on the face, we tend to habitually think it is acne. So we often try to squeeze it or apply acne ointment. But among the patients who come to the clinic, there are quite a few whose skin ends up getting worse after such self-treatment. "I thought it was acne and squeezed it, but yellow pus keeps coming out." "As soon as I shave, the area around my mouth becomes stinging and red." "It was itchy, so I scratched it, and it spread all over the surrounding area."

If you are experiencing these symptoms, there is a very high chance that it is not simple acne but folliculitis. Folliculitis looks similar to acne, but it is a completely different condition from the cause to the treatment, so an accurate distinction is necessary. Today, I’ll explain what folliculitis is, which is easy to confuse with acne, and the proper treatment to calm it down.

Folliculitis is a bacterial problem, not a sebum problem

Seocho Dermatology Clinic: I Thought It Was Acne... What Are the Causes and Symptoms of Folliculitis?

Acne is a condition that occurs when pores become blocked and sebum cannot escape. Folliculitis, on the other hand, is an infectious condition in which bacteria invade the follicle, the sac that surrounds the hair, and cause inflammation. It is mainly caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, and when our immunity is lowered or hygiene is poor, these bacteria penetrate deep into the follicle and create red inflammation and yellow pus.

The biggest difference from acne is that there is no seed-like lump (comedone) that can be felt. So no matter how much you squeeze, white sebum granules do not come out; only clear fluid or pus mixed with blood will appear. Also, while acne’s main symptom is pain when pressed, folliculitis is often accompanied by unbearable itching or a burning stinging sensation.

Shaving and poor hygiene are the main causes

Seocho Dermatology Clinic: I Thought It Was Acne... What Are the Causes and Symptoms of Folliculitis?

For men, daily shaving is one of the biggest causes of folliculitis. Sharp razor blades create tiny wounds on the skin and make the perfect environment for bacteria to enter through those openings.

Women also often suffer from folliculitis after shaving their legs or underarms. In addition, touching the face frequently with unclean hands, the humid environment inside a mask, and lowered immunity due to lack of sleep or stress can weaken the skin’s defense against bacteria, making folliculitis easy to develop.

Squeezing it too soon can spread the infection to surrounding areas

Seocho Dermatology Clinic: I Thought It Was Acne... What Are the Causes and Symptoms of Folliculitis?

The most important thing to watch out for is that you should never squeeze it carelessly. If you pick at it with your fingernails or press it with an extractor as if it were acne, the pus sac inside the follicle can burst, spreading bacteria to the healthy follicles nearby. Just like fanning flames in a burning house, the inflammation can quickly spread across the face, and in severe cases it can leave deep scars or pigmentation, so special caution is needed.

You need to eliminate the bacteria and restore the skin barrier

Seocho Dermatology Clinic: I Thought It Was Acne... What Are the Causes and Symptoms of Folliculitis?

The key to treating folliculitis is to eliminate the bacteria causing it and restore the weakened skin immunity. During the acute stage, when the inflammation is severe, oral antibiotics or topical antibiotic ointments should be prescribed to stop bacterial growth. If you use sebum-controlling medications that are used for acne treatment, the skin may become even drier and folliculitis can worsen, so an accurate diagnosis by a specialist must come first.

When medication is combined with care that helps improve the skin’s regenerative ability, a much faster improvement can be expected. LDM (Water Drop Lifting) care helps soothe irritated skin. High-density ultrasound energy balances moisture in the skin and normalizes an overreactive immune system, breaking the cycle of recurring inflammation.

Seocho Dermatology Clinic: I Thought It Was Acne... What Are the Causes and Symptoms of Folliculitis?

We also perform HILITE II laser treatment together. HILITE’s special wavelength activates cellular function, speeds up wound recovery, and quickly reduces swelling and pain caused by inflammation. Because it treats with light only, without extraction, it is a very suitable treatment for folliculitis-prone skin that is sensitive to stimulation.

If you are worried about recurring pimples around the mouth or chin, do not judge for yourself and squeeze them. It may not be acne, but a sign that your skin is fighting bacteria. I recommend visiting a dermatologist to find the exact cause and receive appropriate treatment suited to your skin. I will carefully help your skin breathe comfortably again.