Cures for scalp folliculitis

Acne of any form can be irritating, but scalp acne--technically known as scalp folliculitis--can be downright annoying. If you develop an infection of your scalp's hair follicles, you can do a number of things to treat it, with a focus on keeping your hair and scalp clean, and controlling oily hair before it gets out of hand.

Always wash your hair in either lukewarm or cold water as hot water usage results in overproduction of sebum and your scalp will be oily in a few hours. To avoid agitating sebum glands, do not massage or scrub your scalp while washing your hair; the same applies to brushing or combing your hair; never dig the comb into your scalp.

Wash your hair as often as necessary to manage your current condition, keep it grease-free and prevent recurring cases. Make sure you use a shampoo that's made for oily hair (containing zinc), as this will lower your hair's sebum levels (if you want to condition your hair, also use an oily hair-friendly product).

For the duration of your scalp folliculitis, you can use a shampoo containing salicylic acid. Once your condition has cleared, you can use a regular shampoo. You also may find good use out of anti-dandruff shampoos containing antifungal agents such as ketoconazole or ciclopirox.

Use an antibacterial and antifungal agent containing tea tree oil to cleanse the skin along the hairline and keep it as oil-free as possible. To remove excess bacteria and oil, use an antibacterial cleansing product that contains tea tree extracts.

Whatever kind of treatment you use, your hair may lose some valuable micronutrients and vitamins in the process. Once a week, about an hour before washing your hair, use a natural and deep-conditioning hair mask made from coconut milk, egg yolk, fresh tomato juice and honey. With their fatty acids, essential vitamins and amino acids and acidity to reduce your scalp's sebum levels, this combination helps replenish lost nutrients.

You want to ensure that you treat your condition swiftly before it has a chance to worsen. A severe cause of scalp folliculitis could can lead to acne necrotica miliaris and perifolliculitis capitis, which would require a visit to the doctor, and cause hair loss or scarring and also may require treatment involving antibiotics, antifungal medication or corticosteroids.

Salicylic acid formula is a good at-home remedy. If you apply the acid to the affected area with a cotton swab, the acid exfoliates dry, flaky skin and helps reduce whiteheads. As result, your scalp will stay clear of build up and have reduced flare-ups.

If salicylic acid does not control your condition, you may need to use topical antibiotics such as clindamycin solution, erythromycin solution and fusidic acid gel, mild topical steroid lotions or creams (to treat inflammation) and oral antihistamines.

While it's an effective treatment for acne, never use benzoyl peroxide. If used on the scalp, it performs similarly to hydrogen peroxide and can damage or lighten your hair.