Pseudofolliculitis Barbae - Symptoms & Treatment

Pseudofolliculitis barbae (razor bumps) is a common condition of the beard area occurring in African American men and other people with curly hair. Pseudofolliculitis barbae is a type of folliculitis . It also known as shaving rash or razor bumps. It is a foreign-body inflammatory reaction surrounding ingrown facial hair, which results from shaving. The problem occurs more commonly in people who have curly hair. This condition is called "pseudo" folliculitis because it is caused not by a bacterial infection, but by the regrowth of hair after it has been shaved. It is most common on the male face, but it can also happen on other parts of the body where hair is shaved or plucked, especially areas where hair is curly and the skin is sensitive, such as genital shaving. The cause of this is very simple. Blade shaving sharpens the ends of the hairs like a spear. The hairs then curve back into the skin and cause Pseudofolliculitis barbae.  In some cases, the trauma can be so severe as to result in scar or keloid formation. For a long-term solution to pseudofolliculitis barbae, laser hair removal may be the best option.

Pseudofolliculitis barbae is a chronic condition characterized by inflammation of the beard area resulting from re-entry of the growing hair into the upper layer of the skin. The most common locations for lesions are the face and neck. It is also known by the initials PFB or the term "razor bumps". It occurs most often in people with very curly, kinky hair. For most cases, totally avoid shaving for 3 to 4 weeks until all lesions have subsided, while applying a mild prescription cortisone cream to the involved skin each morning. Shaving every other day, rather than daily, will improve pseudo-folliculitis barbae. Electrolysis and laser hair removal should be considered when all else fails. Use of an electric shaver may also help the condition because it does not cut as close as blades do. Use the electric razor on high setting to avoid close shaving and prepare beard with electric razor pre-shave. Medications are also prescribed to speed healing of the skin. Left untreated, this can develop into acne keloidalis nuchae, a condition where hard, dark keloid -like bumps form on the neck.

Causes of Pseudofolliculitis Barbae

Find common causes and risk factors of Pseudofolliculitis Barbae :

• Blade shaving.
• Disorder such as Dermatitis is another factor to be considered.
• Use of Plastic dressings or adhesive tape may also cause Pseudofolliculitis barbae.
• Plucking of hair may cause abnormal hair growth in injured follicles
• Some medications or viruses.
• Excess perspiration may also a factor in the development of the disease.

Signs and Symptoms of Pseudofolliculitis Barbae

Sign and symptoms may include the following :

• Rash.
• Skin becomes red.
• Itchy skin.
• Pimples or pustules located around a hair follicle.

Treatment for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae

Treatment may include :

• Topical antibiotics such as Bactroban, oral antibiotics e.g., dicloxacillin, or antifungal medications are generally taken to control the infection.
• Retin-A or a topical antibiotic solution prescribed by your doctor can help the problem.
• Using polyester skin cleansing pad twice a day, is effective in the treatment of pseudofolliculitis barbae.
• Laser hair removal may also be helpfull.
• Benzoyl peroxide and antibiotics such as erythromycin or clindamycin and combinations are very effective.
• Injectable corticosteroids can be used to soften papules and decrease inflammation.
• Polyester skin-cleansing pad or a moisturizing shaving foam can be used to make the condition better.