Ostiofolliculitis or staphylococcal impetigo is an inflammation of the hair follicle. This inflammation is caused by Staphylococcus infection, which multiplies. The disease has the appearance of small, separately located pustules. There are pustules mainly in the face, thighs or shoulder blades. At the beginning of the disease, they have the appearance of redness of the skin around the hair, and when squeezing, a barely noticeable pain is felt, then a pustule is formed in the form of a tubercle with pus, and in the middle there is a hair. Such a formation has no growth, within a few days it dries up and forms a crust. Separately located inflamed follicles can grow to the size of a pea, when damaged, erosion appears in this place, which leaves scars and scars when healing. Without treatment, such ostiofolliculitis can penetrate deep into the follicle and provoke the appearance of folliculitis, and even worse — the formation of a boil.
The content of the article:
Causes of ostiofolliculitis
Symptoms of ostiofolliculitis
Diagnosis of ostiofolliculitis
Treatment of ostiofolliculitis
Ostiofolliculitis
Staphylococcus lesions in childhood are not uncommon due to the presence of children in kindergartens. The unformed immune system in children can pass bacteria through injuries or abrasions. In infants, sweating can develop into purulent formations on the skin, especially in the folds of the skin. Often, ostiofolliculitis occurs in the area of the lips and mouth, further spreading to other areas of the skin. The most dangerous form of infection is epidemic pemphigus, which occurs in the first days after birth. Such a disease has the form of purulent pustules with a thin surface, proceeds heavily and often has a fatal outcome.
If you find such a rash, you should immediately consult a dermatologist. To diagnose the disease, a number of tests and the determination of the pathogen will help.
Causes of ostiofolliculitis
The main factor in the occurrence of the disease is staphylococcus, which is present in the microflora of a healthy person and lives on the skin. Penetration into the sebaceous glands and infection can be facilitated by a decrease in immunity with frequent hypothermia or due to diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis or acute respiratory diseases in which bronchitis or pyelonephritis is observed. The barrier function of the skin in diabetes mellitus is also reduced.
Also, the development of ostiofolliculitis can contribute to severe sweating, lack of hygiene or increased work of the sebaceous glands.
With insect bites, injuries, and itchy skin, small wounds can serve as an entrance for infectious pathogens, followed by infection of other areas of the skin.
Some other professions are associated with frequent contact and work with harmful substances, such as kerosene, gasoline or acid. Such factors have a harmful effect on the skin and the whole body as a whole.
If the compress is applied incorrectly, you can also create conditions for the reproduction of bacteria and viruses.
Symptoms of ostiofolliculitis
The occurrence of redness in the duct of the sebaceous gland and painful sensations in this area are characteristic symptoms at the primary stage of the disease. Then the base of the pustule, which is filled with pus, does not increase in diameter, dries up and forms a white crust on top, which then disappears. Such rashes appear in large numbers.
Pustules can accumulate in groups on a small area of the skin or be located singly. But even if they are located side by side, they never merge. Ostiofolliculitis occurs on the most exposed areas of the skin, for example, on the face or hands.
The most common form of ostiofolliculitis has a staphylococcal origin, while the pustule increases to the size of a cherry stone, in the center of which the hair is located. Such an infection is localized on the back of the hand and can occur during the course of the disease — scabies.
The lesion of hair follicles in the area of eyebrows, beard or mustache is called sycosis. Hair damage may also occur in the armpits or groin area.
Diagnosis of ostiofolliculitis
If any rash or irritation is detected, you should immediately make an appointment with a doctor. A dermatologist will help determine the type and nature of the skin disease, who will examine the skin rash under a magnifying glass. This diagnosis is called dermatoscopy. Collecting information about the patient’s lifestyle and analyzing the nature of the skin will help to identify the cause of ostiofolliculitis. To distinguish ostiofolliculitis from folliculitis or sweating, you will need to backfill the contents of the pustules, a blood test for sterility and the absence of such a disease as diabetes mellitus. In case of deep tissue damage, the biopsy method is used. Differential analysis is carried out with diseases such as tuberculosis or syphilis, fungal lesion.
Treatment of ostiofolliculitis
Treatment takes place on an outpatient basis. Antibacterial treatment is carried out with the use of antiseptic agents and ointments, for example, a green diamond solution, tetracycline ointment. The skin around the pustule is treated with boric alcohol. Laser therapy also has an antibacterial effect. If the disease recurs, general antibiotic therapy is performed. In this case, treatment aimed at increasing the immune system is used. They also note good results of treatment with folk remedies in the absence of exacerbation. Celandine juice is used — it is applied to the affected areas of the skin, homemade ointment from boiled onions with sugar and water is applied to the boils. Garlic is also crushed and alcohol is added to it, purulent areas of the skin are wiped with this lotion. Inside take tinctures from dandelion and burdock roots, nettle leaves. A decoction of rye grains is recommended to be taken in addition to the above tinctures, which doubles the positive result. Infusions of birch buds and dill seeds, aloe juice and viburnum berries are applied to the affected areas, which serves as an antiseptic and leads to rapid healing of the skin. Such recommendations are used when the disease is at an early stage and does not progress.
To prevent a disease such as ostiofolliculitis, first of all, it is recommended to observe hygiene rules, treat any cuts or wounds immediately with antiseptic agents, include only useful fortified food in your diet to improve immunity.
