Multiple pustules with a hair eminating from the center. A good adage for the dermatologist: "always culture pus."

BACTERIAL FOLLICULITIS AND OTHER BACTERIAL INFECTIONS OF THE SKIN

Bacterial folliculitis (BF) is a bacterial infection of the follicle. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common culprit. Bacterial culture excludes acne and pityrosporum folliculitis and directs therapy.

Other bacterial infections of the skin are outlined below.

• Folliculitis: Inflammation of a hair follicle manifesting itself usually as surface pustules.
• Furuncule or boil. A deeper infection of the hair follicle compared to folliculitis. The term furunculosis describes a penetrating and perforating follicular inflammation, meaning that the follicular wall is destroyed by the inflammatory process.
• Carbuncle: A cluster of furuncles or boils. A carbuncle appears as tender, red, swollen skin with multiple pus heads.
• Abscess: A localized collection of pus that forms within body tissue, usually due to an infection.
• Impetigo: A bacterial infection of the skin characterized by small blisters that break and crust over.
• Bullous impetigo: Impetigo that forms large, fluid-filled blisters.
• Ecthyma: A deeper, ulcerated form of impetigo.
• Cellulitis: A rapidly expanding bacterial infection of the skin.
  
• Erysipelas: A specific subset of cellulitis caused by streptococcus.

Folliculitis is an inflammation of the hair follicle. A bacterial folliculitis is a bacterial infection of the hair follicle. Staphylococcus aureus is the usual cause. Pseudomonas may infect the follicle as well in hot tub folliculitis. The classic lesion is a pustule at the site of a follicle with surrounding erythema. A hair may or may not pierce the pustule. Early lesions or deep lesions may merely appear as erythematous papules. A bacterial folliculitis is common on the legs of a young woman who shaves.

Folliculitiis.

A solitary furuncle or boil.

Furunculosis: Multiple furuncles.

A carbuncle

Two skin abscesses. Culture grew Staph.

Impetigo of the axilla.

Bullous Impetigo

Ecthyma

Cellulitis.

RegionalDerm

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