Updated: 20may19
Armpit hair inflammation and infection
Terms used:
Armpit folliculitis – superficial inflammation / infection of hair follicle (hair pore) – superficial inflammation – at the level of the epidermis
Multiple folliculitis with starting furunculosis
Armpit furuncle or boil – deeper inflammation and infection of the hair follicle – extending to the dermis level. There is usually a palpable lump which may signify an abscess formation. The abscess formation may be in the acute (recent and painful), subacute (not too recent and less painful) and chronic (present for a long time and not painful).
Acute Armpit Furunculosis
Acute Armpit Furunculosis
Multiple acute furuncles or furunculosis
Multiple chronic furuncles or furunculosis
Multiple chronic furuncles or furunculosis
Armpit carbuncle – groups of furuncles that join together under the skin. Carbuncle is a severe and extensive inflammation of skin around the hair follicles and its surrounding tissues.
Armpit hidradenitis suppurativa – a long term infection of the hair follicles that is associated with abscesses and scarring on the skin.
Armpit hair inflammation and infection is usually caused by an infection of the hair follicles with Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
This is usually precipitated or triggered by damage to hair follicles due to shaving, plucking, depilation, and waxing,
Most women remove their armpit hairs. Regardless of types of methods of armpit hair removal (shaving, plucking, depilators, waxing, laser removal, etc.), there is a risk for armpit hair inflammation and infection to develop.
Hygiene is the key to prevention. Washing with bland soap and water is the mainstay in the treatment until the inflammation and infection subside. Antibiotics and drainage of pus may be added when indicated.
The goal is to prevent infection at all cost. If not successful, the goal is to prevent development into stages of carbuncule and hidradenitis suppurative.
After drainage of furunculosis:
ROJ@18may26;18jun17;20may19
ROJoson Medical Clinic 