Folliculitis
Folliculitis is a skin condition that involves inflammation of the hair follicles. Often times superficial inflammation can appear as red bumps similar to acne, while deeper inflammation can have pus and be associated with pain/swelling. This condition can affect any area of the body with hair, including the face, chest, back, buttocks, and legs.
Folliculitis can be classified as infectious or non-infectious. Infectious folliculitis can be caused by different pathogens, but two common ones are bacterial folliculitis and fungal folliculitis. Non-infectious causes of folliculitis include occlusion, trauma from hair removal, medications such as steroids, other medical diseases, or even sun exposure.
Most folliculitis is self-limited, meaning that it usually resolves on its own over time. Treatment for infectious causes of folliculitis are usually directed at the underlying infection. Non-infectious folliculitis treatments also typically involve the use of topical antibacterial soaps, which can be used in the shower.