Pityrosporum Folliculitis

Definition

Pityrosporum folliculitis is a common inflammatory skin disorder that is caused by the most common yeast Pityrosporum ovale, also known as Malssezia furfur. Pityrosporum folliculitis is a condition where the yeast, gets into the hair follicles and multiplies drastically in number, setting up an itchy, acne-like condition usually affecting the upper trunk of a young adult. Some adolescents with recalcitrant follicular pustules or papules may have acne and Pityrosporum folliculitis simultaneously. Clinical response is dependent on treating both conditions.

Causes of Pityrosporum folliculitis

Pityrosporum folliculitis cannot be called as an infection; it is just an overgrowth of normal folliculitis. The yeast overgrowth may be encouraged by external factors and by reduced resistance on the part of the host. The causes of pityrosporum folliculitis are not fully known but the following are believed to be important:

• An increase in sebum production, such as that in pregnancy, and high levels of androgens may initiate the development of pityrosporum folliculitis.
• Application of greasy sunscreens and oily emollients such as coconut oil.
• Pityrosporum folliculitis has more tendency to occur in environments of high heat and humidity.
• Antibiotics can alter normal skin flora, allowing the yeast to proliferate.
• Can also occur to persons already suffering from Diabetes or Stress or Fatigue.

Symptoms of Pityrosporum folliculitis

The signs and symptoms of folliculitis vary, depending on the type of infection. In superficial forms of the disorder, small pimples develop around one or more hair follicles. One way to distinguish a follicular pimple from acne is that with a follicular pimple you often can see the hair shaft at the center of the lesion. The pimples sometimes contain pus (pustules), and they may crust over or be surrounded by an area that's red and inflamed. The infection may itch or be somewhat tender, but it usually isn't painful. Deep folliculitis, which affects the entire hair follicle, can cause more severe signs and symptoms, including large, painful, pus-filled pimples that may leave scars when they heal. Some of the possible symptoms such as:

• Barber's itch. This type of folliculitis is marked by itchy, white, pus-filled lumps in the beard area in men and sometimes on the legs or underarms in women. It occurs when hair follicles that have been irritated by shaving become infected with Staphylococcus aureus (staph) bacteria. Although staph bacteria live on your skin all the time, they generally cause problems only when they enter your body through a cut or other wound.
• Tinea barbae. Caused by a fungus rather than a bacterium, this type of folliculitis also develops in the beard area in men. Like barber's itch, tinea barbae causes itchy, white bumps. The surrounding skin also may become reddened. A more serious, inflammatory form of the infection appears as pus-filled nodules that eventually form a crust and that may occur along with swollen lymph nodes and fever.
• Pseudofolliculitis barbae. An inflammation of the hair follicles in the beard area, pseudofolliculitis barbae affects men with curly beards. It develops when shaved hairs curve back into the skin, leading to inflammation and, in rare cases, to dark raised scars (keloid scars) on the face and neck.
• Pityrosporum folliculitis. Especially common in young and middle-aged adults, pityrosporum folliculitis produces chronic, red, itchy pustules on the back and chest and sometimes on the neck, shoulders, upper arms and face. It's caused by infection with a yeast-like fungus, Malassezia furfur, which is similar to the fungus that causes dandruff, although the pustules closely resemble acne.

Treatment for Pityrosporum folliculitis

Treatment of pityrosporum folliculitis must deal with both the yeast overgrowth and any predisposing factors, otherwise the condition will recur. Unfortunately we often either do not know, or cannot correct, all the factors that make one susceptible so the condition has a tendency to return once the anti-yeast treatment is stopped.

• Pseudomonas folliculitis. Hot tub folliculitis rarely requires treatment, although your doctor may prescribe an oral or topical medication to help relieve itching. More serious cases may require an oral antibiotic.
• Barber's itch. Your doctor may advise not shaving the affected area until the infection heals. If you must shave, use an electric razor or clean razor blade every time. If the problem persists, you may need topical or oral antibiotics.
• Tinea barbae. This infection especially the inflammatory form can be effectively treated with oral antifungal medications.