Folliculitis in Dogs: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Folliculitis is a common skin condition that affects dogs of all breeds and ages. It occurs when the hair follicles become inflamed and can lead to hair loss, itchiness, and discomfort. In severe cases, folliculitis can cause secondary infections. Keep reading to learn more about dogs’ causes, symptoms, and treatment of folliculitis.
What Causes Folliculitis in Dogs?
Folliculitis can be caused by several things, including allergies, parasites, fungal infections, and bacterial infections. Allergies are the most common cause of folliculitis in dogs. Parasites, such as mites or fleas, can also cause the condition. Fungal infections are less common but can occur if your dog has a weakened immune system. Bacterial infections are the least common but can be more serious if they do occur.
Symptoms of Folliculitis in Dogs
The most common symptom of folliculitis is itchiness. Your dog may also suffer from hair loss, redness or inflammation of the skin, bumps or pimples on the skin, and excessive licking or scratching. In severe cases, your dog may develop a fever or lose his appetite. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian right away.
Treatment for Folliculitis in Dogs
The treatment for folliculitis will vary depending on the underlying cause. If your dog has allergies, your veterinarian will likely recommend a course of allergy shots or oral medication. If parasites are to blame, your dog must be treated with medication to kill the parasites and relieve the itchiness. Your dog may need antibiotics or antifungal medication for fungal or bacterial infections. In severe cases, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove any impacted hair follicles.
Folliculitis is a common but potentially serious skin condition that affects dogs of all breeds and ages. The most common symptom is itchiness, but it can also lead to hair loss, redness or inflammation of the skin, bumps or pimples on the skin, and excessive licking or scratching. If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, contact your veterinarian immediately so he can begin treatment.
Depending on the underlying cause of the folliculitis— allergies, parasites, fungal infection, or bacterial infection —your veterinarian will recommend a course of treatment that may include allergy shots, oral medication, parasite-killing medication, antibiotics, antifungal medication, or surgery. With prompt diagnosis and treatment, most dogs fully recover from folliculitis.
What does folliculitis in dogs look like? Dogs with folliculitis will have one or more skin lesions on the body. It may start as a small raised area on the skin that looks like acne (called a papule). The area may become more raised and fill with pus (called a pustule).
What causes folliculitis on dogs? Folliculitis in dogs is most commonly caused by bacteria, but other culprits include parasitism, fungal infections, systemic disease, immune system disorders, endocrine issues, and local trauma. Your dog’s folliculitis may be caused by the following conditions: Canine acne. Skin-fold pyoderma.
Is folliculitis contagious from dog to dog? The condition itself isn’t considered to be contagious; not between canines or to human beings. But, it’s possible for a few conditions that are causing it to be transmittable to additional pets and humans, too. Ringworm infestation and sarcoptic mange include some of the extremely contagious conditions.
What is the fastest way to heal folliculitis?
The following approaches may help relieve discomfort, speed healing and prevent an infection from spreading:
- Apply a warm, moist washcloth or compress.
- Apply over-the-counter antibiotics.
- Apply soothing lotions.
- Clean the affected skin.
- Protect the skin.
What does folliculitis in dogs look like? – Additional Questions
What triggers folliculitis?
Folliculitis is most often caused by an infection of hair follicles with Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria. Folliculitis may also be caused by viruses, fungi and even an inflammation from ingrown hairs.
What can be mistaken for folliculitis?
The types of psoriasis that can resemble folliculitis include : Plaque psoriasis, which causes dry, red patches on the skin. The patches may be raised, itchy, and painful. Guttate psoriasis, which produces small, scaling lesions on the skin.
How long does it take for folliculitis to go away?
Mild folliculitis usually heals on its own in about 2 weeks. You can take care of yourself at home with: A warm compress. This may ease itching and help healing.
How can you tell if folliculitis is fungal or bacterial?
They may take a swab of the infected skin to test for which bacteria or fungus is the cause of the folliculitis. In rare cases, a doctor may order a skin biopsy to exclude the possibility of other causes.
What is the best cream for folliculitis?
What is the best medication for folliculitis?
| Best medication for folliculitis |
|
|
| Cortizone-10 (hydrocortisone cream) |
Over-the-counter corticosteroid |
Topical |
| Centany (mupirocin) |
Antibiotic |
Topical |
| Zovirax (acyclovir |
Antiviral |
Topical |
| Elimite (permethrin) |
Antiparasitic |
Topical |
Why can’t I get rid of folliculitis?
Chronic folliculitis can be more difficult to treat. Antibiotics and other medications may not clear up chronic cases. If other treatment options fail, your doctor may recommend laser hair removal. During treatment, you should refrain from removing hair by plucking, waxing, or shaving.
What happens if folliculitis goes untreated?
Boils and carbuncles
If folliculitis is left untreated, boils (or skin abscesses) can develop. As the hair follicle becomes deeply infected, the boil will come to a head and may drain. The boil may be painful and red. A large cluster of boils may also appear as many follicles become infected.
Does vinegar help folliculitis?
MEASURES YOU CAN TAKE TO HELP TREAT YOUR FOLLICULITIS:
1. A holistic treatment may include soaking the affected area in a tub of diluted white vinegar (1 part vinegar to 4 parts of water) or soaking in a bathtub with very diluted Clorox bleach (1/4 cup of Clorox bleach in a bathtub of water).
What does folliculitis look like?
In most cases, the main symptom of folliculitis is red bumps that look like pimples on your skin. These could also look like they’re white-filled bumps or they could be filled with pus (pustules). Folliculitis can feel itchy and uncomfortable. Many people feel the need to scratch when they have folliculitis.
How do you treat folliculitis naturally?
Home remedies
- Do a soap wash. Clean the area with warm water and soap twice a day.
- Wear loose, dry clothing.
- Use a warm compress.
- Try aloe vera.
- Do a hydrogen peroxide wash.
- Apply antibiotic creams.
- Use anti-itching lotion.
- Try wet wraps.
Can folliculitis be cured?
Most cases of folliculitis are completely curable. There are very uncommon, long-standing cases of folliculitis that may not be curable. Often these more resistant cases may be controlled with proper treatment and medication. Folliculitis sometimes clears completely by itself without treatment.
What antibiotics treat folliculitis?
Folliculitis looks like acne pimples or non-healing, crusty sores. An acute eruption or one present for only a short time is usually due to Staph bacteria (impetigo of Bockhart). This is treated with oral cephalexin, dicloxacillin or similar oral antibiotic. Topical antibiotics creams or lotions can also be used.
Is Neosporin good for folliculitis?
Topical antibiotic ointments, such as Neosporin or generic neomycin, bacitracin, and polymyxin b triple antibiotic ointment, may help scalp folliculitis heal up faster. Apply the ointment to the affected area a few times daily.
Can I put hydrogen peroxide on folliculitis?
Hydrogen Peroxide
It works just as well for folliculitis. The chemical mix will immediately kill off bacteria and fungus, and the excess can be wiped off with disposable towels. You can repeat applications of hydrogen peroxide.
What foods to avoid if you have folliculitis?
Brooks also advises avoiding diets high in carbs and sugars or with a high glycemic index, which can cause fluctuations in your glucose levels. “Rising glucose levels increase hormones in your skin, leading to oil production, which can cause folliculitis [inflammation of hair follicles],” he says.
How do you treat folliculitis in dogs?
Topical therapy most often involves the use of antimicrobial shampoos, whereas systemic therapy usually includes oral antibiotic medications. In the case of bacterial folliculitis, long-term use of both topical and systemic antimicrobials is typically required (three to twelve weeks).
What foods fight folliculitis?
The best sources are evening primrose oil, black currant oil and borage oil, taken in capsules as dietary supplements. You can increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids by eating more wild Alaskan salmon, sardines, fortified eggs, freshly ground flax seeds or walnuts. You can also take a fish oil supplement.
