Scalp Folliculitis:
Due to the abundance of hair follicles on the skin, inflammation, and swelling (due to
blockage of any hair follicle) is very common.1 Folliculitis is an example of a common benign
skin condition in which the hair follicles can become
either inflamed or infected. When the hair follicles
become infected, they enlarge into pus-filled pimples
(pustules), with each respective pustule looking like red
bumps on the skin. The terms “Propionibacterium
Folliculitis” and “Acne Necrotica Miliaris” are more
specifically associated with the inflammation of the
follicles of the scalp. Scalp folliculitis is characterized by
itchy pustules on the scalp, with the frontal hairline being
the most severe.2 The number, size, and severity of the
pustules differ between individuals; Folliculitis can be a
minor, short-term problem with a few lesions or a serious,
long-term issue with numerous lesions. If these pustules are
left untreated, skin abscesses can develop, folliculitis could
spread to the other unaffected hair follicles, and cellulitis - serious skin infection - may develop.
In most case scenarios, the primary cause of scalp folliculitis is infection-causing
microorganisms that block the hair follicles. These infection-causing microorganisms can be
either bacteria, fungi, or viruses. Examples of these infection-causing microorganisms include
Group 1 (bacteria): Cutibacterium Acnes, Staphylococcus Aureus, Propionibacterium, and
Pseudomonas; Group 2 (Fungi): Malassezia Species, Pityrosporum Folliculate, and
Dermatophytes; Group 3 (Viruses): Mulloscum Contangiosum and Herpes Simplex.3 The
bacteria Staphylococcus Aureus is the most prevalent cause of the most common type of
folliculitis; superficial bacterial folliculitis4. There are additional factors that irritate the scalp
surface making the follicles vulnerable to microbial growth, and in turn, increasing the likelihood
of scalp folliculitis occurring. These include excessive usage of styling products that cause
buildup on the scalp and clog the follicles over time5, overexposure to heat which can damage
the follicles, and sharing towels which can spread infections.6
Propionibacterium Folliculitis develops in people of all ages, ranging from infants to the
elderly. Nonetheless, it is important to note that there are risk factors that make some individuals
predisposed to developing folliculitis. For instance, individuals consuming certain medication
like antibiotic therapy for acne; individuals with a weakened immune system which reduces their
resistance to infection (like diabetes patients and those with chronic illnesses); wearing helmets
for long hours, or wearing tight caps and scarves causing friction between skin and fabric in
which the continuous rubbing results in damage to the follicles; males with curly hair are also
more susceptible to folliculitis7.
1
Oakely, A. (2014, June). Scalp folliculitis. DermNet NZ – All about the skin | DermNet NZ. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/scalp-folliculitis
2
Oakely, A. (2014, June). Scalp folliculitis. DermNet NZ – All about the skin | DermNet NZ. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/scalp-folliculitis
3
Scalp Folliculitis. (2020, April 12). RichFeel ™. https://www.richfeel.com/scalp-folliculitis/
4
Oakely, A. (2015, September). Bacterial folliculitis. DermNet NZ – All about the skin | DermNet NZ. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/bacterial-folliculitis
5
Suvarna. (2021, December 18). Causes of Folliculitis hair loss – Precautions & treatment. Styles At Life.
https://stylesatlife.com/articles/folliculitis-hair-loss/
6
Gallagher, G. (2019, September 9). Is Folliculitis contagious? Types, causes, and prevention. Healthline.
https://www.healthline.com/health/is-folliculitis-contagious
7
Scalp Folliculitis. (2020, April 12). RichFeel ™. https://www.richfeel.com/scalp-folliculitis/
Due to the abundance of hair follicles on the skin, inflammation, and swelling (due to
blockage of any hair follicle) is very common.1 Folliculitis is an example of a common benign
skin condition in which the hair follicles can become
either inflamed or infected. When the hair follicles
become infected, they enlarge into pus-filled pimples
(pustules), with each respective pustule looking like red
bumps on the skin. The terms “Propionibacterium
Folliculitis” and “Acne Necrotica Miliaris” are more
specifically associated with the inflammation of the
follicles of the scalp. Scalp folliculitis is characterized by
itchy pustules on the scalp, with the frontal hairline being
the most severe.2 The number, size, and severity of the
pustules differ between individuals; Folliculitis can be a
minor, short-term problem with a few lesions or a serious,
long-term issue with numerous lesions. If these pustules are
left untreated, skin abscesses can develop, folliculitis could
spread to the other unaffected hair follicles, and cellulitis - serious skin infection - may develop.
In most case scenarios, the primary cause of scalp folliculitis is infection-causing
microorganisms that block the hair follicles. These infection-causing microorganisms can be
either bacteria, fungi, or viruses. Examples of these infection-causing microorganisms include
Group 1 (bacteria): Cutibacterium Acnes, Staphylococcus Aureus, Propionibacterium, and
Pseudomonas; Group 2 (Fungi): Malassezia Species, Pityrosporum Folliculate, and
Dermatophytes; Group 3 (Viruses): Mulloscum Contangiosum and Herpes Simplex.3 The
bacteria Staphylococcus Aureus is the most prevalent cause of the most common type of
folliculitis; superficial bacterial folliculitis4. There are additional factors that irritate the scalp
surface making the follicles vulnerable to microbial growth, and in turn, increasing the likelihood
of scalp folliculitis occurring. These include excessive usage of styling products that cause
buildup on the scalp and clog the follicles over time5, overexposure to heat which can damage
the follicles, and sharing towels which can spread infections.6
Propionibacterium Folliculitis develops in people of all ages, ranging from infants to the
elderly. Nonetheless, it is important to note that there are risk factors that make some individuals
predisposed to developing folliculitis. For instance, individuals consuming certain medication
like antibiotic therapy for acne; individuals with a weakened immune system which reduces their
resistance to infection (like diabetes patients and those with chronic illnesses); wearing helmets
for long hours, or wearing tight caps and scarves causing friction between skin and fabric in
which the continuous rubbing results in damage to the follicles; males with curly hair are also
more susceptible to folliculitis7.
1
Oakely, A. (2014, June). Scalp folliculitis. DermNet NZ – All about the skin | DermNet NZ. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/scalp-folliculitis
2
Oakely, A. (2014, June). Scalp folliculitis. DermNet NZ – All about the skin | DermNet NZ. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/scalp-folliculitis
3
Scalp Folliculitis. (2020, April 12). RichFeel ™. https://www.richfeel.com/scalp-folliculitis/
4
Oakely, A. (2015, September). Bacterial folliculitis. DermNet NZ – All about the skin | DermNet NZ. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/bacterial-folliculitis
5
Suvarna. (2021, December 18). Causes of Folliculitis hair loss – Precautions & treatment. Styles At Life.
https://stylesatlife.com/articles/folliculitis-hair-loss/
6
Gallagher, G. (2019, September 9). Is Folliculitis contagious? Types, causes, and prevention. Healthline.
https://www.healthline.com/health/is-folliculitis-contagious
7
Scalp Folliculitis. (2020, April 12). RichFeel ™. https://www.richfeel.com/scalp-folliculitis/
