Is folliculitis contagious

Hot Tub Folliculitis

Hot tub folliculitis is an infection of hair follicles. You may develop this condition after spending time in a hot tub or pool where bacteria thrive. Symptoms include red, itchy bumps. At-home treatments can help ease symptoms, but talk to your healthcare provider if symptoms worsen or don’t resolve after two weeks.

Overview

What is hot tub folliculitis?

Hot tub folliculitis is an infection of hair follicles caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a type of bacteria. These bacteria grow in warm, moist environments (like hot tubs and swimming pools). The condition causes itchy red bumps around hair follicles.

Who does hot tub folliculitis affect?

Anyone who sits in a hot tub contaminated with bacteria may develop hot tub folliculitis. Children and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) are more likely to develop this condition.

What does hot tub folliculitis look like?

Hot tub folliculitis looks like widespread itchy, red bumps. It can develop on any body part exposed to bacteria-tainted water — even under your bathing suit. You might develop this condition on your:

Does hot tub folliculitis have other names?

Hot tub folliculitis is also known as pseudomonas folliculitis or hot tub rash.

How common is hot tub folliculitis?

Hot tub folliculitis is common. Infection can happen in public and private swimming pools, water parks, flotation tanks and other warm, moist environments. Researchers estimate that Pseudomonas aeruginosa is present in about two-thirds of hot tubs and swimming pools at any given time.

Symptoms and Causes

What causes hot tub folliculitis?

The cause of hot tub folliculitis is sitting in a hot tub or other warm, moist environment that contains Pseudomonas aeruginosa for a prolonged time.

What are the symptoms of hot tub folliculitis?

The most common symptom of hot tub folliculitis is an itchy red “rash” with inflamed hair follicles, which typically develops a few days after hot tub exposure. You might also have:

Bumps (pustules) on your skin may develop yellow or greenish liquid (pus). Bumps may appear on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet as well.

Is hot tub folliculitis contagious?

Hot tub folliculitis isn’t contagious between people. A person with the condition can’t spread it to another person. But people who sit in a hot tub together may develop hot tub folliculitis after exposure to the same bacteria.

Diagnosis and Tests

How do healthcare providers diagnose hot tub folliculitis?

Your healthcare provider will likely be able to diagnose hot tub folliculitis based on your history of water exposure and a skin exam.

There are no special diagnostic tests for hot tub folliculitis.

Management and Treatment

Does hot tub folliculitis need treatment?

There’s no specific treatment for hot tub folliculitis. The condition usually clears on its own within a week or two.

If the hot tub folliculitis persists or worsens, call your healthcare provider.

Will at-home treatments help get rid of hot tub folliculitis symptoms?

If your skin is itchy or inflamed (red), the following measures may help:

• An over-the-counter topical steroid (hydrocortisone skin cream) to help alleviate the itchiness and inflammation.
• Antibacterial ointments to prevent infection.

Are there complications of hot tub folliculitis?

Complications of hot tub folliculitis are rare. Occasionally, an infection may develop from scratching or picking the bumps.

Rarely, an abscess (collection of pus) may form within a pustule, requiring medical treatment. Some people experience changes in skin pigmentation (darkening) after hot tub folliculitis. This is also rare.

How long does it take to recover from hot tub folliculitis?

Most people feel better within a week. Anti-itch ointments or lotions help most people manage their symptoms.

Prevention

How do I know if a hot tub is safe?

Pools and hot tubs need regular maintenance, including application of certain chemicals (chlorine) to keep them clean and healthy for users. But you can’t tell that a hot tub is clean and safe just by looking at it. If possible, ask the person who maintains the hot tub how often they clean and check it. A hot tub that’s monitored daily should be a safe choice.

How can I avoid getting hot tub folliculitis?

You can’t always know if Pseudomonas aeruginosa is present in a hot tub you’re using. But you can take steps to keep yourself safer:

• Don’t shave or use any hair removal methods (such as hair removal creams or wax) right before you get in a hot tub.
• Remove your bathing suit and take a shower as soon as you leave the hot tub.
• Wash your bathing suit before wearing it again.

Outlook / Prognosis

What can I expect if I have hot tub folliculitis?

Your symptoms should ease in one to two weeks. If they don’t, contact your healthcare provider.

Living With

When should I see my healthcare provider if I have hot tub folliculitis?

It’s important to see your healthcare provider if the skin rash persists or worsens and you develop fever, nausea or vomiting.

If you develop an infection, you’ll likely need antibiotics to treat it.

Additional Common Questions

How can I make sure my hot tub doesn’t cause hot tub folliculitis?

If you or someone else develops hot tub folliculitis after using a hot tub or swimming pool that you own, contact a hot tub or pool professional. You’ll need to thoroughly clean the tub or pool to prevent reinfection. A professional can also guide you in proper maintenance practices to help prevent bacteria from growing.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Hot tub folliculitis is an infection of your skin’s hair follicles caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a type of bacteria found in many hot tubs and pools. The condition often clears up on its own in one to two weeks without treatment. Call your healthcare provider right away if you develop fever or if symptoms worsen.

Is folliculitis contagious?

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Le Thi Thu Hang – Dermatologist – Department of Medical Examination and Internal Medicine – Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.
Folliculitis is inflammation of one or more hair follicles. The disease occurs at any age, especially adolescents and young people.
The main cause is staphylococcus aureus and green pus bacillus, in addition, it is caused by fungi, Herpes simplex virus.

1. Symptoms of Folliculitis

Signs of folliculitis include:
Small papules in the hair follicles, with scaly secretions, painless, after a few days of progress, the lesions can heal, leaving no scars. The amount of damage is more or less depending on the case. In most cases, there are only a few isolated lesions that are easy to ignore. The disease can recur many times, damage spreads, affecting quality of life. Location of lesions: can occur in any area of ​​the body except the palms and soles. When to see a doctor?
People should see a doctor if inflammation is widespread or signs and symptoms do not go away after a few days. You may need an antibiotic or antifungal medication to help control the condition.

2. Is folliculitis contagious?

Folliculitis is less contagious, but the causative agent is bacteria such as staphylococcus aureus, green pus bacillus or Herpes simplex virus that can be transmitted by sharing utensils such as razors, towels, or direct contact. .
Some favorable factors easily cause folliculitis such as:
Wearing tight clothes Damp skin Increased sweating Scratching, scratching Shaving Shaving Pulling hairs Drugs or cosmetics that cause skin irritation Using topical corticosteroids for a long time Systemic diseases such as: obesity, diabetes, congenital or acquired immunodeficiency, kidney failure, hemodialysis, iron deficiency anemia.

3. Complications of folliculitis

Bất cứ ai cũng có thể bị viêm nang lông

Possible complications of folliculitis include:
Recurrent or spreading infection boils Permanent skin damage, such as scarring or macules, destruction of hair follicles and permanent hair loss

4. Prevention of folliculitis

You can prevent folliculitis from coming back with these tips:
Avoid tight clothing to help reduce friction between your skin and clothing. Good personal hygiene Avoiding favorable factors such as hot and humid environment, greasy chemicals Early treatment when there is skin damage In case of recurrence, it is necessary to pay attention to good hygiene, remove the bacterial reservoirs on the skin such as nasolabial folds, inter-buttock grooves. Shave carefully. If you must shave, practice the following habits:
Limit the number of times you shave Wash your skin with warm water and antibacterial soap before shaving Use a washcloth in gentle circular motions before shaving Use pre-shave shaving cream Shave in the direction of beard growth Avoid shaving too close using an electric razor or blades that are protected and do not stretch the skin Use a sharp blade and wash it with warm water after each use Apply moisturizer after shaving Avoid sharing razors, towels and face towels At Vinmec International General Hospital, a Atopic Dermatitis examination and consultation package is available to all customers everywhere. ages. Customers at risk such as allergies, affected by ambient conditions such as weather, climate, humidity, . will be examined and tested including:
Specialist examination Dermatology Perform tests such as: quantification of IgE, fresh mycobacteria, specific IgE for respiratory and food allergens (Panel 1 Viet), Rida Allergy Screen test (panel 1). ..

Tránh dùng chung dao cạo, khăn tắm và khăn mặt

Thu Hang has over 10 years of experience in the field of dermatology. Especially experienced in the treatment of adult and pediatric skin diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, autoimmune and rare skin diseases. The doctor has obtained certificates and university degrees at home and abroad such as: Degree I – Dermatology, Hanoi Medical University, DFMS Degree – Dermatology, University of Paris XIII, France before becoming a doctor. dermatology at the Department of Internal Medicine, Vinmec Hai Phong Hospital today.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

References: Healthline.com and Mayoclinic.org