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Folliculitis on body

Posted , 7 users are following.

Guest
Guest

I've had these red spots at the base of every hair on my legs and lower stomach for at least 5 years now. I've been to two dermatologist and they both say I have folliculitis. The other one gave me a prescription to a cream which I used for two weeks morning and evening but I couldn't see any difference so I gave up on that.

The other one prescribed accutane for my acne and said the red spots will be gone too but I've taken accutane three times (3 x 200- 300 20mg tablets I think), and while it works well for my acne, it does nothing to the red spots (other than prevent white heads from happening).

Has anyone had a similar problem? Although the folliculitis I have is not very painful, it's still unsightly and it's making me quite depressed to be honest.

1 like, 18 replies

18 Replies

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  • Elizabeth_Op
    Elizabeth_Op Guest

    Posted

    Hello Miksu,

    Sorry to hear. I also have chronic folliculitis -- for me on scalp. I'll try to help you:

    Strangely, the Derms and Doctors don't seem to help much on these -- or at least not as much as I would like. But you never know, you may get a doctor who CAN help you so firstly I suggest a second opinion. Also, here are some thoughts re: what you can do on your own:

    Folliculitis usually involves a fungus or bacteria that is growing inside the pore that has the hair. This is complex, as all kinds of stuff does live on our skin. But if one thing gets  ahold sorta -- you can have too much fungus whatever. So, Tea tree oil for starters is your BEST place to start. Put some in moisturizer or aloe vera and put it all over these spots. I think you want to use about 2 - 5% tea tree oil. I tend to be a bit aggressive though, so start at your own pace. If it does not bother you, increase the tea tree oil amount. If bothers you pull back the percentage or stop it. 

    I don't know if you shave this area. If you do, stop for awhile. 

    I have had folliculitis on arms -- little red bumps, and they went away for me when I used a pumice stone on the area. Just do it in the shower, then wash.

    Other than that -- try a second opinion. 

    I wish I could help more. And good luck!

    Betttie

     

    • Guest
      Guest Elizabeth_Op

      Posted

      Hey Elizabeth, thanks for replying. I should have a small bottle of tea tree oil somewhere so I'll try to find it and give it a try.

      I really hate body hair so I would totally shave the area but it looks so bad whether or not I shave it that I just avoid any situation where I'd have to reveal the skin of my legs or lower stomach.

      I've heard some people benefiting from rubbing the dead skin off, but even more so I've read many articles about how dangerous loofas are because of the bacterial build up in them. Any rubbing on my legs will make the folliculitis flare up making it look like a red bloody mess that looks about five times worse than without rubbing at least in short term so I've avoided it.

      I'm trying out plucking the hairs out and using rubbing alcohol at the moment (which totally goes against dermatologists advice for not plucking the hair or irritating the follicles in any way)

      Thanks again for replying

      Miksu

    • sadie46739
      sadie46739 Guest

      Posted

      Whatever works, I say. I'm sure a dermatologist with this condition might secretly do that themself. Lol!

    • sadie46739
      sadie46739 Guest

      Posted

      And I agree, dermatologists do advise against plucking and irritating the hair follicle.
  • dannychiaccs
    dannychiaccs Guest

    Posted

    Guys, the best remedy i found was ocean water. The mix of iodine and salt with the sun is the best therapy. Ive seen over 10 dermatologist but i was sceptical about the treatments. I realised recently that what trigers it might be a couple of things. First is diet, watch what you eat. Second is stress, stress is gives folliculitis breakouts and third is stools, if you cant regularly go to the washroom, bascteria starts breakouts. 
    • Guest
      Guest dannychiaccs

      Posted

      Hey Danny, thanks for the info.

      I don't know why, but ocean water and sun seem like a good idea. I live around the arctic circle so it's really cold almost all year round and the ocean water here has under 1/10th of the salt that the big oceans have, but I'll see if I could still make ocean water and sun happen.

      I'm always on a new diet but haven't noticed any difference with them in almost any way unfortunately. I believe I have a lot of stress as I have high cortisol levels and also feel like I have this level of anxiety 24/7 which makes me really tired and uncomfortable especially in the limbs and chest.

      I've always been prone to constipation and I've been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome. My stomach has not been bad in a while so I haven't given it much thought. Drinking lots of water seems to help with the constipation quite a lot for me.

  • anita95171
    anita95171 Guest

    Posted

    I have same thing except on my scalp.  Yes, it is embarrassing.  My hair continues to fall ou and I have noticed at the end of each hair that falls there is a white head type thing.  Also, if I rub my scalp these whit head things are on my scalp.  I do not have dandruff, they are like a tiny white core ball, just like a white head.  My scalp has pimples on it that itch and I try not to scratch.  Also, I have sore spots on my scalp. I have been to three dermatologists and an allergy specialist hoping it was an allergy because it will clear up in the fall and not be a problem again until the following February.  Also, I have been tested for metal allergies because I had a back fusion four years ago and all this began the following February for first and now every February since.  So frustrating!!  I do not want to take anymore antibiotics for it as they are only a temporary help.  I have tried so many, many shampoos and not much helps.  I just keep praying for the right help and for healing.

     

    • Guest
      Guest anita95171

      Posted

      Hey Anita, ow I'm sorry hear about your scalp. That sounds really frustrating : (

      I personally haven't tried antibiotics as I hear horror stories about the overuse of them.

      I really wish you'll find help and a cure for it too.

       

  • sadie46739
    sadie46739 Guest

    Posted

    Try vinegar. Apply to cottonball and do a spot test and see if it improves.
    • Guest
      Guest sadie46739

      Posted

      Hey Sadie,

      That's something I've tried for a little while and I didn't see any improvement.

      Thanks for replying anyway : )

  • sadie46739
    sadie46739 Guest

    Posted

    No problem, Miksu. Good luck! I second alcohol. It has helped me.
  • sadie46739
    sadie46739 Guest

    Posted

    Miksu, in combination with what you're doing, you might want to add aloe vera to soothe any lingering irritation. Maybe spot treat with this to see if it helps.

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Hey everyone, sorry for not posting in a long time.

    I've plucked all the hairs off my right thigh for 2- 3 times and used rubbing alcohol right after plucking, and the red follicles seem to look a little bit worse than on my unplucked leg.

    I bought a big bottle of korean 99% aloevera gel just a few days ago I have started applying that after shower.

    So in conclusion; So far I haven't seen any improvement.

    • sadie46739
      sadie46739 Guest

      Posted

      Sorry to hear. I think the issue is complex, like Elizabeth stated in her comment. There is some organism that has overgrown causing imbalance in the skin. Until there are treatments that can bring back balance to the skin, I think we are at a lose on truly fixing the issue. There may be something else that may help though so continue searching. I think this issue is more common than we think, and that it affects people at differing degrees.
    • dannychiaccs
      dannychiaccs sadie46739

      Posted

      You know what? I am starting to think its an immune system problem. You have to strengthen it to get rid of anything. Drink water eat healthy food, exercise and get proper sleep. Get sun and try to go where there is ocean water. Iodine with salt and sun will destroy Folli
    • anita95171
      anita95171 dannychiaccs

      Posted

      I have worn wigs for many years and suddenly I have become allergic to the elastic lining.     Visited a new specialist dermatologist who specializes in scalp and hair growth problems. She has given me three things to try. I will let you know if they work.

      I mentioned to her that I was beginning to think this is an immune system problem and she agreed it could be because not enough research has been done on Folliculitis.  The doctors I have previously seen don't seem to think seriously about it at all.  I hope she will be different.  Two doctors I have seen treated me as if I had the plague.  Made me super angry.

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