Folliculitis In Kids: Signs, Causes, Treatment And Remedies

Folliculitis in children is when a child’s hair follicles get inflamed due to an infection. The infected follicles usually have an acne-like appearance and may cause slight pain and redness.

Folliculitis is most commonly caused by bacteria and may resolve spontaneously within seven to ten days. However, the infection could sustain for longer in some children, causing boils to rise. In such cases, the child may require medications (a course of antibiotics) to manage the condition (1). The common areas where the infection occurs are on the scalp, legs, arms, and buttocks.

Keep browsing as we tell you about the possible causes, diagnoses, and treatment options for folliculitis in children.

Symptoms Of Folliculitis In Children

Folliculitis infection looks like red bumps or rash and could be mistaken for acne. These red bumps would resolve or gradually turn into pus-filled boils known as furuncles. When a group of hair follicles gets infected and forms large painful swellings with multiple pus-discharging boils known as carbuncles, it is an indication that the infection has spread to deeper layers and might even cause fever (1).

Some of the symptoms of folliculitis include (1):

• Red pimples with a hair at the center
• Pimples predominantly on the arms, legs, buttocks, and back
• Gradual development of pus in the pimples
• Fever and an upset stomach in some rare cases

What Does Folliculitis Look Like, And Is It Contagious?

Folliculitis is often mistaken for acne. Here are a few images to help you identify this condition.

Image: Shutterstock

Since folliculitis is caused due to microbial infections, it could spread through personal contact or sharing of towels, clothes, and other personal accessories. However, this is usually more common when the infection has turned into furuncles or carbuncles (2).

Causes Of Folliculitis In Children

Image: Shutterstock

Folliculitis is usually caused by bacterial infection involving the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. However, the infection can also occur due to viruses, such as herpes, and fungi, such as yeast (3) (4).

Many microorganisms dwell on the surface of the human skin without causing any harm, but when the skin gets bruised or cut, these microorganisms may enter the skin and cause infections, such as folliculitis.

Children often play outdoors and get hurt, which could be one of the reasons for them to get folliculitis. One study found that 25% of high school athletes who participated in football and basketball developed furuncles (5). Children with compromised immunity may also be at a greater risk of the infection.

Quick fact

Ingrown hairs may irritate the hair follicles and cause folliculitis (14).

• Wearing tight-fitting clothes that might cause friction and damage the skin

• Swimming in pools that are not treated with chlorine

• Excessive scratching or skin injuries

• Blockage of hair follicles due to certain skincare products

• Plucking the hair, especially in children who have densely curly hair

• Oily skin, which may cause blocked hair follicles

“Mary, a mother, shares her experience of how her daughter Erin exhibited enhanced sensitivity to skincare products such as soaps. She explains, “Almost every baby soap we tried left her with rashes…So we tried baby washes… I noticed a few suspiciously red lumps on her scalp. To make the long story short, they grew bigger and increased in number, and with Erin’s incessant scratching, we finally ended up with folliculitis (i).”

Point to consider

Children with other skin infections and diabetes may have an increased risk of folliculitis (15).

Diagnosis Of Folliculitis In Children

Physical examination is usually enough for a doctor to diagnose the condition.  In cases where there is a discharge from a boiler pustule, the doctor may send the discharge for laboratory culture to determine the infective microorganism.

Treatment For Folliculitis In Children

In immunocompetent children, folliculitis tends to go away on its own in seven to ten days. But, if it turns into boils or carbuncles, then you might need to take your child to a doctor.

Here are the available treatment options for folliculitis in children (1).

1. Your child’s doctor may prescribe topical antibiotics based on the severity of the infection.

2. Topical antiseptics in the form of gels, soaps, or solutions might also reduce the infection.

3. Oral antibiotics may be prescribed in severe cases of infection or when there is a fever.

Home Care For Folliculitis In Children

Home care may help in reducing the healing time and relieving the symptoms of folliculitis.

1. Apply a warm compress on the sores for 20 minutes. It might help reduce the inflammation and soothe the itch. Repeat it three times a day.

2. Gently wash the affected area with antibacterial soap and wipe it clean. Dress your child in loose, cotton clothes to avoid friction on the skin.

3. Make sure you change your child’s clothes every day and wash them with a disinfectant.

4. Discourage your child from scratching or squeezing the pimples, as it can spread the infection to other parts of the body.

Quick tip

Bleach baths may help prevent bacterial folliculitis from returning. Add one-fourth cup of bleach to half a tub of warm water and have your child soak in it twice a week for 10 to 15 minutes (14).

Image: Shutterstock

Natural Remedies For Folliculitis In Children

You may consider a few natural remedies to relieve the symptoms of folliculitis in children. Do note that there are inadequate scientific studies to prove the effectiveness of these remedies, especially among children.

1. Tea tree oil: It is said to have antimicrobial properties that could help clear the red bumps and pus due to folliculitis. However, make sure you dilute it with other oils, such as coconut or almond oil, before applying on your child’s skin (7).

Image: Shutterstock

2. Neem: This is a plant that is known for its antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. You can boil neem leaves in water and apply the water or make a paste of the leaves and apply it on the affected area. Repeat it thrice daily (8).

3. Apple cider vinegar: Studies note that apple cider vinegar has antimicrobial effects on Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, which is responsible for folliculitis. Mix one part of vinegar in two parts of water, and dab the solution on the affected area. Leave it for ten minutes and rinse off (9).

4. Aloe vera gel: As aloe vera is known for its anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, it might help reduce the itching and inflammation due to folliculitis. Extract the gel from the aloe vera plant and apply it to the infected area. Leave it for ten minutes and rinse off with warm water. Do it once or twice a day until the inflammation subsides (10).

Image: Shutterstock

5. Turmeric: Research has found turmeric to be effective against Staphylococcus aureus bacteria (11). Mix turmeric powder in water, and make it into a smooth paste. Apply it on the affected skin. Leave it for 20 minutes and rinse off. Repeat this two to three times daily.

If the folliculitis has progressed into a furuncle or carbuncle, pus or blood oozes from the boil/acne, or the child has developed fever, then consult a doctor before trying any home or natural remedies.

Can You Prevent Folliculitis In Children?

The following precautionary measures might help prevent folliculitis in children.

1. Encourage children to wash their hands after playing outside to prevent the transfer of the microorganisms on the skin.

2. Clean wounds with antiseptic lotion and apply bandages. Never keep the wounds open.

3. Always clean and disinfect the bathtubs at your home.

4. Make sure the water in the swimming pool is treated with chlorine before allowing your children into it.

5. Keep your children away from adults who might have folliculitis.

6. If your child has folliculitis, do not mix their towels, blankets, and clothes with others.

7. Encourage teenagers never to share their shaving razor with others. Also, teach them how to keep the razor clean.

Infographic: Risks And Complications

Folliculitis can affect any child. However, a few factors may increase the risk of this infection. We have listed folliculitis’ risk factors and complications in an infographic below. Take a look and consult your child’s doctor if necessary.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Explore the world of folliculitis – a skin condition that leads to redness, itching, and bumps. Uncover its causes, signs, diagnosis, and treatment in this informative video.

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Dr. Elna GibsonMBChB, MMed, Paeds

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