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Folliculitis    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Pseudofolliculitis barbae; Tinea barbae; Barber's itch

Definition:

A common disorder characterized by inflammation of the hair follicle.

Causes and Risks

Folliculitis may occur anywhere on the skin, as a result of injury or damage to the hair follicle caused by friction from clothing, by blockage of the follicle, or by such things as shaving.  The usual cause is the bacteria Staphylococcus (staph).

Barber's itch is a staph infection of the hair follicles in the bearded area of the face, usually the upper lip. Shaving aggravates the condition. Tinea barbae is similar to barber's itch, but the infection is caused by a fungus.

Pseudofolliculitis barbae is a disorder occurring primarily in Black men.  If curly beard hairs are cut too short, they may curve back into the skin and cause inflammation.

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