Folliculitis is an infection of the hair follicles that is caused by bacteria. The most common infection causing bacteria are staphylococcus bacteria. The typical appearance of folliculitis is a pus-filled pimple with a hair growing out in the centre.
Shaving, waxing and other hair removal methods in which the skin can get irritated often leads to folliculitis. The boil pains and heals only after it is burst. Here are some ways to treat folliculitis naturally.
White vinegar is a potential antibacterial agent and can be helpful in dealing with folliculitis. Take one tablespoon of white vinegar and put it into two cups of water.
Now dip some cotton balls in this solution and apply it on the boil. Sit with the cotton balls firmly pressed on the boil for 20 minutes. Re-apply if necessary. Repeat the treatment twice daily for a few days. Any superficial boils will clear up in 1-2 days.
In order to prevent further infection, it is very important to clean and dress the boil. Use a good antibacterial soap or this purpose. This will prevent the infection from compounding.
One the head of the boil has formed and it is about to burst, you can apply a poultice to the boil. Take a piece of gauze or cotton. In some oil, heat a pinch of turmeric and flour to make a thick paste. Now put the paste on the cotton.
Make sure the paste is adequately hot. Now apply this poultice directly on the boil and leave it there for the night. When you get up in the morning, your boil would have burst and you will be able to dress and clean the wound.
Another way of promoting drainage of pus from the wound is to use warm compresses. Heat some water and soak large strips of gauze in it. Make sure they are warm but not too hot. Put these compresses on the boil and wait for a few hours. Once the pus is fully drained, you may clean the wound.
If you are prone to scalp folliculitis or suffer from frequent outbreaks of foliculitis, it makes a lot of sense to bathe daily with a good anti-bacterial soap. This will prevent the hair follicles from clogging and compounding the infection.
Wearing clothes that are too tight and which rub and cause friction against your body can aggravate infected hair follicles. Make sure you wear clothes that do not rub or cause friction against your body.
For scalp folliculitis, you can try using a shampoo, which has tea tree oil in it. Tea tree oil is a natural germicide and is good for preventing the recurrence of scalp folliculitis.
Shaving is one of the most common reasons for folliculitis. Shaving irritates the skin by not pulling the hair out from the root. A piece of hair remains in the follicle and this is constantly irritated. If you already have folliculitis, make sure that you do not shave for a few days until the infection clears up.
Garlic has antibacterial properties that help to fight off an infection. Garlic is also a rich source of sulphur, which is a mineral, which is used to prevent various types of skin disorders. You should apply it judiciously as it can burn your skin.
A better alternative is to consume it orally in the form of raw garlic or garlic pills, which help to cleanse and disinfect the body from within.
Thyme is a popular herb used as an Italian seasoning. It is also used as a herbal medicine. It contains thymol, a chemical compound that may give antibacterial benefits. It helps to clear the staphylococcus infection on the surface of the skin.
Home Remedies for Folliculitis
Effective Methods To Cure Folliculitis
Getting Rid of Blocked Hair Follicles
If your condition becomes worse or the boil increases in size significantly, you may have a severe infection. There may be accompanying fever and pain. In such cases, see a doctor. The doctor might prescribe some routine antibiotics for your fever and infection and a topical cream that helps to arrest the infection.
Although this is rare, significantly large boils are better addressed in the hospital. The doctor in this case, will make a small cut and drain out the pus from the boil. You may have to come to the hospital more frequently in order to get the wound dressed.
Honeysuckle is a good herbal remedy for folliculitis. Take it in the form of a herbal concoction by boiling some honeysuckle leaves in water and drinking this water. It is helpful in fighting the bacteria from within.
Golden seal is another potent herb used to treat folliculitis. It should be taken internally when the initial symptoms appear as it helps to fight off the infection. Mild skin infections can be treated by making a paste using powdered goldenseal and water.
Make sure that you apply it directly to the affected area. Cover the area with a clean bandage and leave it on overnight.
It is very important for health care providers and caregivers to follow good hygiene while dealing with a staph infection. Make sure you wash your hands with soap and water before touching or cleaning the wound.
In order to prevent the infection from spreading to other areas, take a shower, which will wash off the bacteria and prevent it from spreading.
Staph infections can be easily spread so make sure you do not share your towels, bedding, linen, brushes, combs, accessories and other items of personal use with the other members of the family.
Make sure that you take a diet that is high on fresh fruits and vegetables as it helps to enhance the immunity of a person. With these tips, a staph infection causing folliculitis can be easily treated and prevented. The idea is to take timely and prompt action on the occurrence of an infection.
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