I have itchy scalp. Is it folliculitis?

Q. I have itchy scalp. Is it folliculitis?

Answered by
Dr. Basti Bharatesh Devendra
and medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team.
This is a premium question & answer published on Mar 25, 2016 and last reviewed on: Jun 28, 2023

Hello doctor,

I hope you will read it thoroughly and answer every query. I am a 30-year-old male. It all started with an itchy scalp ten months back this summer. But, I was not concerned much, since it was just itchy and some bumps like mosquito bites (not more than two to three) and some swelling as well. Since it was summer, I was sweating. Sometimes, the whole scalp would itch and sometimes only the bumps. It continued for some months. Later, the itching of the scalp subsided and the size of the bump decreased. But for three to four months, I can feel pimple-like things on my scalp and they ache sometimes. When they started, they would disappear on their own in less than a week. But now, even after so many months, I can feel some more (not more than two at a time) pimples. I doubt whether it could be folliculitis. I have not had a haircut for ten months, just because I thought the itching could be contagious. So, I better not go for a haircut and spread it to others. There are two to three bumps on my face as well. One was hurting earlier, but it is all itchy and the other two are only itchy. I would like to state it again that they do not itch all the time and one that ache do not hurt at all the time.

Also, I felt a pimple-like thing on my butt. It disappeared in a week. It was not very painful. I have had folliculitis till I was 25. So, I know how much it pains and itches. I thought it could be folliculitis. My father had a boil and got better in two weeks and everything was fine. So, I thought maybe the spread of the same bacteria. Getting pimples on my butt have become regular. They come and go and they appeared on my face only after that. We are a family of four. I have OCD as well and cannot tolerate these skin diseases. I wash my hands and taps touched by him every time he touches them. The only thing that I share is the bathroom tap and latrine tap and also the latrine bucket. Apart from them, I do not touch anything from him.

When I try to touch the pimple-like things on my butt, I cannot feel them. They do not appear to be there. Also, before the pimple-like things started to appear, I had some scratchy and cracked elbows (pictures included) and it was painful. I was scared and thought it is somehow related to that boil. It healed in two weeks. This happened four months back. From then on only all pimple-like things started appearing in the same month. Unfortunately, I do not have the picture. And the ones on the face and scalp are covered with hair, so there is no way I can click it.

Now, my question is whether I can go for a haircut and beard trimming. I have not trimmed my hair since five months, all because of these reasons to not spread it to others and myself. I will use an electric shaver to trim my beard. How can I have my haircut without spreading it to others? My hair are now getting twisted and unmanageable since I have not covered them either. My social life has suffered a lot because of it. And, what is it (disease) that has taken away my freedom, social life and confidence? Also, what can I use to disinfect my electric shaver, the blades, nail cutter and other such things? What I do is soak in boiling water for 30 minutes and then wash it with dish gel and Dettol. I am waiting for your answer. Thank you.

#

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have checked your photos (attachments removed to protect patient identity). It is better you go for haircut and shave or trim beard. It may be due to folliculitis or fungal infection by the description. You can get it examined by a doctor or dermatologist for physical evaluation and diagnosis. You need not worry about spreading the infection to others. You can use the separate trimmer for yourself or get it done by a barber with the separate trimmer. The disinfection method you are following should be fine. You can use topical antibiotic cream like Mupirocin (T-bact) if pus-filled lesions are present. Do not worry about the transmission of diseases. You can wash your hands with soap and water after using washroom. The lesion on elbow appears to be due to dryness. You can use moisturizing soap or Cetaphil cleanser.Apply moisturizing cream like Ponds or Cetraben cream. The main ingredients of this cream are (White soft paraffin and Light Liquid paraffin).


Was this answer helpful?

 | 

Same symptoms doesn’t mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!



Related Questions:
Can you suggest treatment for facial dryness and itchy scalp?

.. acid in lotion form is difficult. You can use the Fucidin cream for the boils on the scalp.For scalp folliculitis, I suggest you try Betadine AD shampoo twice a week.For facial dryness, I suggest using Cetaphil moisturizer or Epitheliale AH cream (Sodi   Read full

From the photo, please confirm if my son has ringworm infection.

It does appear to be a ringworm infection of the scalp called as tinea capitis ...   Read full

Please help me with my itchy scalp.

.. probably seborrheic capitis (an eczema). I suggest Ketoconazole shampoo on alternate day. Keep in contact with scalp for 7 to 10 minutes in each application and continue it for three to six months.   Read full

Also Read Answers From:

ideaComprehensive Medical Second Opinion.Submit your Case

Also Read


PCOS and Liver Problems
The hormonal imbalances in polycystic ovary syndrome could cause liver diseases. Read the article to know the relationship between these medical conditions.  Read more»
Inferior Alveolar Nerve Lateralization Technique
The inferior alveolar nerve lateralization technique is a surgical lateralization technique to reposition the nerve. Read the article to know more about this.  Read more»
COVID-19 and Ebola: Similarities and Differences
This article gives a comparison and broader overview of the outbreak of the two deadliest diseases that showed a greater incidence over the last two decades.  Read more»

Ask your health query to a doctor online?

Ask a Dermatologist Now

* guaranteed answer within 4 hours.

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.