Treatment:

Hot moist compresses may promote drainage of extensive folliculitis. Treatment may include antibiotics applied to the skin (mupirocin) or taken by mouth (dicloxacillin), or antifungal medications to control the infection.

Expectations (prognosis):

Folliculitis usually responds well to treatment, but may recur.

Complications:

• Folliculitis may return
• Infection may spread to other body areas

Calling your health care provider:

Apply home treatment and call your health care provider if symptoms recur frequently, if they persist longer than 2 or 3 days, or if the infection spreads.