Effective treatment of folliculitis: antibiotics, ointments, shampoos, home-based alternatives

The doctor, first of all, will pay attention to the features of the patient's nutrition, and will give him appropriate useful recommendations. Under the ban will be alcohol, fatty foods, spices and sweets.

Local treatment may include the use of such medications:

• antiseptics (chlorhexidine, potassium permanganate solution, furacilin, fucocin, perhydrol);
• antibacterial agents (ointments and creams of disinfecting and healing action);
• ointments and creams with antibiotics, antifungal or antiviral components.

The type of prescription drug depends largely on the stage at which the pathological process is located, and also on its localization - for example, in the face area, not all external means can be used. However, the most important is the identification of the causative agent of the disease.

If folliculitis is  caused by staphylococcus, then most often antimicrobials are prescribed, and both outside and inside. Before choosing an antibiotic, you must first pass an analysis of the sensitivity of the infectious agent to antibiotic therapy.

Psevdomonadnoe lesion of follicles is often treated with antibiotics from the group of cephalosporins.

If, in general, gram (-) microorganisms are identified, it is recommended to pay attention to preparations containing benzoyl peroxide.

With fungal etiology of inflammation, antifungal medicines should be used. It can be Fluconazole, Intraconazole, Terbinafine.

At a virus origin of disease appoint Acyclovir.

Medications

	Dosage and route of administration	Side effects	Special instructions
Fukorcin	Used to lubricate the affected skin 2-4 times a day.	A brief sensation of itching or burning.	The drug temporarily stains the skin. After the solution dries onto the treated skin, it is possible to apply creams or ointments.
Cephalexin	Assign a daily amount of 1-4 grams, with a possible increase to 6 g. The treatment course is usually 7-14 days.	Dyspepsia, diarrhea, general weakness, trembling in the hands, allergies.	It is undesirable to apply simultaneously with nephrotoxic medicines - for example, aminoglycosides, as well as with diuretics and sulfonamides.
Ciprofloxacin	Take the drug inside to 0.75 g twice a day, for 5-15 days.	Allergies, swelling, headache, insomnia, changes in taste and olfactory sensations.	The drug is contraindicated in children under 15 years of age, pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding.
Fluconazole	Take inside 200-400 mg per day (at a time). Duration of therapy can be different, depending on the situation - from 1 to 2 weeks, or up to one month.	Rarely - diarrhea, increased gas production.	Fluconazole is not used in pregnancy and lactation, as well as for the treatment of children under 16 years old.
Acyclovir	Used mainly in the form of tablets, 0.2-0.4 g 5 times a day. Duration of admission is 5-8 days.	Nausea, diarrhea, headaches, allergies.	In addition, the drug can be used as a cream (against the background of general treatment): the cream is applied to the painful areas five times a day, for 5-10 days in a row.

Allochol in folliculitis

Diseases of the skin in most cases require an integrated approach to treatment. And among the prescribed drugs can be present not only those that affect the infection and the inhibition of the development of inflammation. Means can be prescribed to strengthen immunity and to purify the circulatory system from toxic substances.

For example, patients are often puzzled: why did the doctor prescribe Allochol for inflammation of the follicles? Allochol is a drug that accelerates the production of bile and enhances the contractile function of the gallbladder. These properties can have a beneficial therapeutic effect if the folliculitis is caused by malnutrition.

Since the drug is not shown to all patients, the scheme of its administration should be determined by the doctor during the consultation. As practice shows, the use of the treatment course Allochol helps to improve the skin condition for many patients.

[1], [2], [3]

Acnecutan from the folliculitis

Acnekutan is often recommended for getting rid of acne. This drug is taken orally, it is available in the form of capsules. The purpose of Acnecutane is to regulate the work of the sebaceous glands and reduce the size of the sebaceous ducts.

Acnecutane is taken 1-2 times a day with food. Therapeutic course, as a rule, long - up to six months.

Does this drug help with inflammation of the follicles? According to reviews, capsules do not help in all cases, and after the end of treatment, often there are repeated episodes of the disease. Therefore, the decision on the appropriateness of treatment with this drug should only be taken by a doctor of appropriate qualifications.

One of the analogues of Acnecutan is Roaccutane. It contains the same active ingredient as in the previous preparation, but Acnekutan is considered somewhat more effective than its "congenital".

Acnekutan and Roaccutane are taken with folliculitis only in severe cases, as both of these drugs have a large number of contraindications and side effects. Especially do not use the above funds without prescribing a doctor - this can adversely affect not only the course of the disease, but also the state of health in general.

Treatment of folliculitis by Bepanten

At the mention of Bepantene, many people come to mind "baby cream" for caring for the baby. However, this cream is also suitable for treating skin problems in adult patients. The main ingredient of the drug is dexpanthenol, or provitamin B ₅, which can stimulate the natural healing processes. Thus, Bepanten restores the skin, moisturizes, relieves inflammation, heals tissues. The drug has a mild effect, so it can be applied to the delicate and sensitive skin, prone to irritation and allergies.

The drug has virtually no contraindications and side effects.

Cream or ointment is distributed over the affected skin surface, twice a day, easily rubbing. The duration of application is determined by the doctor, depending on the complexity of the situation.

Skinoren from the folliculitis

Skinoren was initially prescribed for the treatment of acne vulgaris or acne vulgaris. In addition, it can cure follicular inflammation at an easy stage.

Skinoren does not allow the accumulation of fats on the hair follicle, inhibits the reproduction of fat cells, delays their growth, and also has an antimicrobial effect.

From the advantages of this drug: it does not cause drug dependence and is absolutely safe, so it can be used in childhood and during pregnancy.

How to use Skinoren? The cream or gel is applied to the cleansed and dried skin at the site of the lesion, twice a day, with a thin layer.

Do not use this medication if the skin is too sensitive: Skinoren can cause irritation.

Mirror in folliculitis

As an additional method of treating inflamed follicles, many doctors often recommend Zerkalin. This is a fairly effective solution that helps to fight a small number of small abscesses: therefore, its most common use is acne and acne.

As part of Zerkalina, the main role belongs to clindamycin, an antibiotic from the group of lincosamides. This antibiotic inhibits the production of protein in a microbial cell.

It is undesirable to use Zerkalin for the treatment of children under 12 years of age, as well as during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

The drug is applied to the affected skin twice a day - for example, in the morning and at night. As a rule, changes become noticeable only after 1-1.5 months from the beginning of treatment, so do not expect a quick result.

With viral and fungal lesions, Zerkalin is ineffective.

Levomycetinic alcohol with folliculitis

Levomycetinic alcohol solution 0.25% belongs to the category of antimicrobial local preparations. It is represented by the active ingredient levomitsetinom - an antibiotic of a broad spectrum of activity, which disrupts the production of protein in the bacterial cell.

Usually, this alcohol solution is used to accelerate the healing of burns, purulent and trophic ulcer processes. One of the indications is also a bacterial folliculitis.

Levomycetin is not used:

• with psoriasis and eczema;
• with fungal or viral origin of the disease;
• for the treatment of children younger than one year.

To treat inflamed follicles with a solution of levomycetin, treat affected areas of the skin using a soft napkin or gauze pad. The treatment can be repeated 2-3 times a day, while the duration of application depends on the complexity and prevalence of the process (optimally - 7-10 days).

Antibiotics for folliculitis

Depending on the infectious agent, in the bacterial inflammatory process, antibiotics can be prescribed:

1. Preparations of a number of penicillins - they are effective against most gram (+) microbes. Of this group, the choice most often falls on Ampicillin, Amoxicillin, Bicillin.
2. Preparations of a number of cephalosporins - they successfully prevent the spread of the disease to healthy tissues and promote the transformation of a deep process into a superficial one. The most popular cephalosporins are Cephazoline, Cefuroxime, Ceftriaxone.
3. Preparations from a number of macrolides - are especially suitable if the disease is accompanied by systemic reactions (for example, by raising the temperature). Macrolides effectively stop the inflammatory process without adversely affecting the balance of microflora in the body. Nevertheless, with kidney and liver diseases, macrolides are not recommended because they are poorly removed from the bloodstream and can accumulate in the tissues. Among such drugs, Azithromycin, Macroben, Erythromycin deserve special attention.

What antibiotic to choose - the doctor decides. He also decides on the choice of form of the drug and the duration of its use.

[4], [5], [6]

Ointments, folliculitis creams

From inflammation of the follicles can get rid of, using a local treatment in the form of ointments or creams. External preparations help the process to finish faster and not spread to other parts of the skin.

The most popular are such local medicines:

• Ichthyol ointment is an excellent antiseptic, and even anesthetizes, but because of its specific flavor, it is often avoided. Nevertheless, doctors say that the effectiveness of treatment with ichthyol ointment is visible already on the fifth day after the start of treatment.
• Levomekol has in its composition chloramphenicol (antimicrobial component) and methyluracil (wound healing component). Ointment promotes rapid healing of wounds - especially if the disease affects the skin on the face. Levomecol should be used several times a day, for several days in a row.
• Streptocide ointment - it is applied under a bandage, which allows to soften and heal tissue damage.

• Zinc ointment perfectly heals damaged skin areas - especially in cases where inflamed follicles are already at the purification stage. Zinc ointment eliminates redness and swelling and prevents the appearance of pigment spots.
• Synthomycin ointment contains an antibiotic that draws purulent contents from inflamed follicles, dries the wounds and prevents the formation of cicatricial changes. Ointment is applied once a day, but it can not be used to apply to the face.

Shampoos with folliculitis

If the inflammation of the follicles affects the scalp, then there is a problem with the use of shampoos. Indeed, in such a situation, you can not use any detergent: some of the shampoos can damage and aggravate the disease.

Any doctor can advise a special therapeutic shampoo to get rid of the disease. Such means include, for example, "shampoo Losterin naphthalan".

Losterin is successfully used for dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis, with psoriasis and furunculosis, with fungal lesions. It helps to prevent exacerbations of inflammation of the follicles, prolong remission, restore the skin and hair after the disease. All the ingredients of the cleansing medical-hygienic agent complement each other, providing anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, antifungal, exfoliating and restoring action, without residual effects of dryness and skin irritation.

In addition to Losterin, follicles show shampoos such as Skin-cap, Nizoral, Keto-plus, etc.

Vitamins

In case of inflammation of the follicles, doctors are advised to take vitamin preparations containing B-group vitamins, ascorbic acid, vitamins A, E, D. Also, we should not forget about minerals - especially zinc, selenium, magnesium, manganese, cobalt, phosphorus, iron.

A good vitamin effect is provided by brewer's yeast - they can be purchased in pharmacies in the form of tablets or capsules.

Most often, such additives are recommended:

• ascorbic acid, 0.5-1 g three times a day;
• tocopherol at 200-400 IU per day;
• preparations with zinc, the content of which is determined in an amount of 45-60 mg per day;
• vitamin A for 25 thousand IU five days a week.

Among complex multivitamin preparations it is recommended to pay attention to such, as Undevit, Aevit, Vitrum beauty, Complivit.

Physiotherapeutic treatment

Physiotherapy is often used to relieve signs of inflammation in the follicles, to suppress the development of infection and to activate the body's immune response. Such methods of treatment are topical:

• KUF rays - have bactericidal, immunostimulating effect, accelerate metabolic processes;
• UFO (erythematous doses) - eliminates inflammation, strengthens and stimulates immunity, accelerates healing;
• UHF-therapy - activates immunity, improves tissue trophism;
• laser therapy - increases the body's resistance, improves recovery processes;
• magnetotherapy - helps to remove swelling, to stop the inflammatory process;
• selective chromotherapy - has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect;
• ultrasound therapy - accelerates tissue repair, promotes resorption of infiltrates, accelerates capillary blood circulation;
• method of dry heat exposure - used at the beginning of the disease, as it accelerates the alternation of stages of the inflammatory process.

Patients with frequent relapses of the disease are advised to conduct sanatorium treatment during the period of remission.

Alternative treatment

To prevent inflammation in the follicles is very useful grapes. It should be eaten in the mornings and between meals, 60-120 minutes before a meal - at first the portion may be about 250 grams, but in the future the amount of grapes will have to be increased to 2-3 kg per day.

To prevent damage to tooth enamel, after each episode of eating grapes, rinse your mouth.

The proposed method is very effective, but it is contraindicated if a person suffers from diabetes, obesity or insufficiency of cardiac activity.

Alternative healers also have other proven recipes for getting rid of the disease:

• Take fresh cucumbers, grind in a blender or on a grater. Next, three tablespoons of cucumber gruel pour 200 ml of boiling water, insist for 2.5 hours, after which it is filtered and squeezed. To the solution is admixed with 1 tsp. Honey. The resulting drug is used as a mask or lotion: applied to the affected skin for about half an hour, then washed with water at room temperature.
• Prepare a medicine based on dried birch buds: take 1 tbsp. L. Kidney, grind and grind, pour 5 tbsp. L. Of vodka. The solution is kept in a closed container for a week. Next, the drug is filtered and used to treat affected areas of the skin.
• Prepare a tincture of 20 grams of St. John's Wort and 0.5 liters of vodka - insist for a week, filtered and used to treat affected areas of the skin.

[7], [8], [9], [10], [11]

Herbal Treatment

Alternative treatment of the inflammatory reaction in the follicles is often based on the use of vitamin-fortifying herbal collections. Such fees should be applied in courses, twice a year - preferably in the fall and in the spring. Each course should last about 14-20 days.

• Gathering first: take a berry of Chinese magnolia vine, 10 grams, rhizome of elecampane 5 g, sage 10 g. One tablespoon of collection is poured with a glass of cold water, brought to a boil, boiled for a quarter of an hour. After that, remove from the fire and insist another 60 minutes. Drink daily, once a day for 50 ml on an empty stomach, previously adding a pinch of cinnamon.
• Gathering the second: take 20% rose hip tincture and tincture of Eleutherococcus, 20 drops of each tincture. Accepted on an empty stomach, daily.
• Gathering the third: take the tincture of the radiola rose (15 drops), add as many drops of lemon juice, diluted with water. They drink on an empty stomach every morning.

A very good effect is provided by tea from the leaves of the buckthorn: one teaspoon of leaves brewed 0.5 liters of boiling water, insisted before cooling, filtered. Tea is drunk during the day, little by little. The course of admission is 14 days.

Homeopathy

Homeopathic remedies are prescribed in a dosage of 1-6 times a day in small dilutions (3-30 centennial dilution).

Depending on the clinical development of the inflammatory process in the follicles, different preparations of the homeopathic direction are used:

• Belladonna - with increased production of sebum, with persistent reddening of the skin and seborrhea;
• Gepar sulphuris - with a common inflammation of the follicles on the face, back, chest;
• Pulsatilla - with a disease associated with malnutrition;
• Silicea - with a severe course of the disease with further scarring;
• Sulfur - with frequent exacerbations of multiple folliculitis.

Many doctors at the initial stage of the disease prescribe a comprehensive homeopathic drug Traumeel C, one tablet sublingually three times a day. The course of therapy can be 21-35 days.

At the second stage, prescribe drugs that restore immunity, slow the inflammatory response, strengthen the nervous system. To such homeopathic preparations carry:

• Echinacea compositum - one ampoule after or 1/3 to 3 times a week. The course will require five to ten ampoules.
• Tonzilla compositum (the scheme of therapy is similar to Echinocia compositum).
• Nervocheel - one tablet three times a day.
• Valerianakeel - 10 drops per ¼ cup water three times a day.

The third stage of therapy involves the use of the rehabilitation drug Kutis compositum - in the form of intramuscular injections for one ampoule 1-3 times a week. For the course, you may need 5-10 ampoules.

Surgery

Usually, inflammation of the follicles is treated conservatively. The help of the surgeon can be necessary only at occurrence of complications - for example, at development of an abscess. The appearance of infiltration and the formation of cavities are considered as absolute indications for surgical treatment. The abscess is opened and the drainage is established, regardless of its localization.

Standard use of general anesthesia, as it is necessary to carry out a qualitative revision of education. During surgical intervention, the purulent contents, necrotic tissues are removed from the abscess, bursals and septa are eliminated, after which the cavity is washed with an antiseptic solution. In some cases, if necessary, an auxiliary counter-porter is provided, which provides an effective drainage.

After the operation, the treatment is prescribed according to the type of standard therapy of purulent wounds.

Diet with folliculitis

Diet for the prevention and treatment of inflammation of the follicles is based on sufficient intake of plant foods, low-fat meat, fish and cereals.

The principles of nutrition can be characterized as follows:

• Fish and fish oil should be present in the diet at least once or twice a week.
• To ensure the right amount of omega-acids, it is recommended to eat flax seeds or linseed oil: they can be added to cereals, salads.
• To deliver the extremely necessary vitamin A in the body, you should consume rich green and red-orange vegetables and fruits. For this purpose, not only carrots, but also salad leaves, peaches, apricots, currants are suitable. A lot of this vitamin is also in the liver.
• Tocopherol is a very necessary vitamin for normal skin condition. It is present in nuts - walnuts, almonds, peanuts or pistachios.
• To normalize the work of the sebaceous glands, you must eat foods containing zinc. Zinc is found in asparagus, beef meat, bran, liver.
• To ensure high-quality production of enzymes, you need to include cabbage, hard cheese, buckwheat and wheat cereals in the menu, beans - they contain enough B-group vitamins.

Should be discarded or sharply limited:

• flour products;
• chips, snacks;
• fat, fatty meat;
• sugar, sweets;
• sandwiches, fast food, "dry-fat";
• spices, salt.

It is important to drink a sufficient amount of liquid in order to remove toxins from the body in a timely manner and to facilitate the flow of metabolic processes.

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