Key takeaways

  • Folliculitis refers to irritation in the hair follicles. In mild cases, home remedies can help relieve symptoms while the skin recovers.
  • Remedies and self-care that may help mild folliculitis include warm compresses, avoiding shaving or waxing, and wearing light, breathable clothing.
  • Moderate to severe cases of folliculitis and cases caused by infection require a doctor’s attention. They can prescribe medical treatments, such as antibiotics for bacterial infections, or steroid ointments for persistent inflammation.

Folliculitis is irritation in the hair follicles, causing symptoms like inflammation and itching. It is usually caused by a bacterial or fungal infection, but it can also be caused by other irritation.

Folliculitis can spread from one part of the skin to another area on your body. Infections that cause folliculitis can also spread between people.

Many cases of folliculitis are mild. Home remedies can help soothe and treat symptoms of mild folliculitis. Though in some cases, you might need medical treatment, such as antibiotics.

Clean the area with warm water and soap twice a day. Dry off with a clean towel each time.

Ask a pharmacist or doctor for soap recommendations. They may recommend using an antibacterial soap, such as a hydrogen peroxide wash. If they don’t recommend an antibacterial product, they can still advise on gentle, fragrance-free options that may be less irritating.

You can find hydrogen peroxide washes in pharmacies. Hydrogen peroxide can help get rid of some bacteria and fungi that cause folliculitis. Make sure to read and follow the product’s instructions.

Avoid using hydrogen peroxide on areas of healthy skin — you don’t want to kill “good” bacteria on the skin. Some beneficial skin bacteria even help get rid of pathogens that cause infections and folliculitis.

Folliculitis can sometimes develop from wearing clothing that irritates the skin or when skin rubs against skin. Avoid wearing clothing like yoga pants, tights, leggings, and other tight clothing.

Also, avoid wearing outfits that allow areas of skin to chafe or rub together.

Try to choose loose, breathable, or moisture-wicking fabrics. Dry off and change right away if you’re sweaty or wearing wet clothing.

A warm, moist compress can help soothe soreness, swelling, and pain. Use a clean washcloth — which you can prepare by boiling a cotton cloth or laundering it in warm water and soap.

  1. Boil and then cool water until it’s warm.
  2. Add 1 teaspoon of table salt for each 2 to 3 cups of water and stir.
  3. Soak the compress in the salt solution.
  4. Squeeze out extra water.
  5. Hold the washcloth against your skin.
  6. Repeat several times a day, using a clean washcloth each time.

Aloe vera gel may help soothe itching, discoloration, and swelling.

Research shows that aloe vera gel may also help stop some kinds of bacteria that contribute to acne and infections. However, more research is needed before confirming it as a standard folliculitis treatment.

Look for pure aloe vera gel with no added fragrance and other chemicals.

Many over-the-counter (OTC) antibiotic products are available as creams, gels, and ointments. These may help clear up a small patch of folliculitis.

Consider antibiotic creams that are put on cuts and scrapes. Make sure to read the product’s full label and packaging instructions, and apply it with a new, clean cotton swab each time.

However, talk with a pharmacist or doctor for advice before using antibiotic ointments. Avoid using too much antibiotic cream and use it only where
needed. Overusing antibiotic products can kill good bacteria that are good for your skin and body and also contributes to developing antibiotic resistance.

Scratching your skin can delay healing, introduce new infections, or cause folliculitis to worsen or spread.

OTC anti-itching lotions and creams may help stop scratching. They typically contain hydrocortisone, a type of steroid medication.

Apply the steroid cream or lotion thinly over the skin area. Wash your hands after using it. Hydrocortisone cream is a medication, so use it only as directed.

Some medical professionals advise against using ointment corticosteroid formulas on skin with hair, as they can also cause folliculitis. Cream, gel, and foam steroid formulas may be better alternatives.

Wet wrap therapy is a way to help ease skin itching and irritation. Dermatologists often recommend this at-home remedy for eczema and other skin rashes.

Medical professionals often recommend applying an antibiotic ointment or anti-itching lotion first.

  1. Wash the area and your hands with warm water and soap.
  2. Cut a clean cotton cloth into strips or use gauze bandages — the type used to dress wounds.
  3. Pour sterile water (or boiled water that has been cooled) into a bowl.
  4. Soak a cotton or gauze strip in the water.
  5. Squeeze out the water and lay over your area.
  6. Repeat until the entire area of folliculitis is covered.
  7. Cover the wet bandages with dry ones.
  8. Leave on for several hours or overnight.
  9. Remove the bandages and use fresh cloth or gauze if you want to reapply the wet wrap.

Shaving can irritate the skin and open up the hair follicles. This raises the risk of infection or the spread of already-present folliculitis to other body areas.

A type of folliculitis called barber’s itch also happens specifically after shaving the skin.

Avoid shaving until the folliculitis has cleared up. After recovering, use clean, new blades each time and wash the skin with soap before and after shaving.

Other types of hair removal, such as waxing, can open up the hair follicle too much. This can lead to ingrown hairs and skin infections like folliculitis.

Avoid waxing the area where you have folliculitis.

While not quite a home remedy, reducing body hair permanently may help you shave or wax less often. This can help reduce the likelihood of folliculitis. Consider laser hair removal as a long-term option.

However, folliculitis can still develop from laser hair removal in some cases.

Also, some laser therapies aren’t suitable if you have darker or tanned skin. Talk with a dermatologist about whether trying laser hair removal might be helpful for you.

Medical studies suggest that some essential oils have antibacterial and antifungal properties. Some essential oils may work against bacteria and fungi that cause folliculitis.

Essential oils shouldn’t go directly on your skin. Instead, always dilute the essential oil by adding a few drops to a carrier oil or a moisturizing cream. Using them directly or in excessive amounts can irritate your skin.

Essential oils that may help with skin infections include:

However, some research reports that certain people have experienced folliculitis or similar inflammation in response to products with essential oils. Stop using essential oils and talk with a doctor if you notice any new or worsening symptoms.

The FDA doesn’t monitor or regulate the purity or quality of essential oils. Talk with a healthcare professional before you begin using essential oils and be sure to research the quality of a brand’s products. Always do a patch test before trying a new essential oil.

The following steps may help reduce the spread of infection while caring for skin with folliculitis:

  • use clean cloths or towels for compresses and wet wraps each time
  • if you decide to shave, use clean, new razor blades each time and disinfect any reusable pieces of a razor or shaver, such as its handle
  • never share personal items, such as towels, razors, or makeup
  • frequently wash your hands with soap and water
  • regularly disinfect surfaces and high-touch areas, such as doorknobs and light switches
  • wash clothing, towels, bedding regularly on a hot wash
  • consider using laundry sanitizer to wash towels, sheets, and any cloths used for compresses or wraps while managing the skin infection

Moderate to severe folliculitis requires medical treatment to help it go away. Treatments can include prescription antibiotics, steroid medication, and in rare cases, surgery.

Contact a doctor right away if you have any symptoms of a skin infection or severe folliculitis, such as:

  • whitehead pimples around the hair follicles
  • pus or oozing from the skin
  • crusty sores on the skin
  • swelling or skin feeling warm to the touch
  • pain
  • a large bump or mass
  • hair loss
  • scarring
  • spread of infection or growing area of folliculitis
  • fever, a general feeling of being unwell, as well as skin symptoms

Also contact a doctor as soon as possible if you have already tried home remedies or prescription care, but your symptoms are not improving.

Mild folliculitis usually goes away by itself without treatment. At-home care can help soothe mild symptoms of itching, tenderness, and discoloration while your skin recovers.

Home remedies and self-care to try include applying wet wraps, asking a pharmacist about anti-itching or antibiotic ointments, and avoiding hair removal, like shaving.

However, some cases of folliculitis are more serious, involving more severe symptoms or infection that require medical care. Contact a doctor for any severe or persistent symptoms of skin infection or irritation.