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Folliculitis, Sports Medicine

Timothy Tiu, MD, FAAPMR, CAQSM and Sona Patel, MD, FAAP Reviewed 04/2019
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Superficial infection of hair follicles

  • Usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus

  • May also be caused by gram-negative organisms (Pseudomonas), as in the case of “hot tub” folliculitis

EPIDEMIOLOGY

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

Maceration caused by sports equipment is a common cause of folliculitis. This knowledge may lead to a definitive diagnosis. 

PHYSICAL EXAM

  • Inflammation of the superficial portion of hai...

TREATMENT

  • Localized folliculitis: daily washes with antibacterial soap and topical antibiotics (mupirocin) 1,3[C]

  • Resistant or diffuse cases: Treat with oral antibiotics, directed by culture and sensit...

REFERENCES

1
Cordoro KM, Ganz JE. Training room management of medical conditions: sports dermatology. Clin Sports Med.  2005;24(3):565–598.
2
Sedgwick PE, Dexter WW, Smith CT. Bacterial dermatoses i...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Personal hygiene and cleaning equipment is important to prevent transmission.

  • Consider S. aureus carriage in recurrent or recalcitrant infections.

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