Vulvar folliculitis is a condition whereby the hair follicles of the vulva become inflamed and possibly infected.1
Vulvar folliculitis can occur when your immunity is low or there has been damage to a hair follicle on the vulva.2 Skin without hair does not contain hair follicles.
Infection in the follicle can be caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis or Streptococcus, and can be short-term or ongoing, chronic vulvar folliculitis.3
Symptoms of vulvar folliculitis
- Inflamed hair follicles
- Swelling
- Redness
- Pain
- Irritation
- Triggered by scratching, heat, humidity, sweating, friction
- More common in overweight or obese women
- Can occur due to vaginal secretions containing inflammatory agents
Treatment for vulvar folliculitis
Typical treatment is antibiotics, however topical treatments may be just as effective without the use of systemic antibiotics.4
Prevention of vulvar folliculitis
Preventative strategies include keeping the vulva clean, dry, and avoid any irritations.
References
- 1.Zare SY. Infectious disorders of the vulva. Seminars in Diagnostic Pathology. Published online January 2021:19-26. doi:10.1053/j.semdp.2020.09.012
- 2.Hillard PJA, Deitch HR, Loveless M, Yoost J, Hertweck SP. Vulvar Signs and Symptoms. Practical Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. Published online April 18, 2013:49-68. doi:10.1002/9781118538555.ch10
- 3.Lin HS, Lin PT, Tsai YS, Wang SH, Chi CC. Interventions for bacterial folliculitis and boils (furuncles and carbuncles). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Published online February 26, 2021. doi:10.1002/14651858.cd013099.pub2
- 4.Durdu M, Ilkit M. First step in the differential diagnosis of folliculitis: cytology. Critical Reviews in Microbiology. Published online May 29, 2012:9-25. doi:10.3109/1040841x.2012.682051
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