Chronic folliculitis

[Roccof]

Is anybody out there, who suffers from folliculitis?
 I suffer from folliculitis. There are maybe 6 different types or so. Some are minor skin irritations; others are misery with the potential to kill. Perhaps the primary disease will not kill you, however the secondary infections that comes with some types of folliculitis may.
  I am 46-year-old from Southern New Jersey. I first was diagnosed with folliculitis 10 years ago. My first symptom was a painful red boil on the top of my head. The dermatologist prescribed several of the normal anti- biotic and they are failed except amoxicillin. The folliculitis would always return when the amoxicillin was stopped. Believe it or not I stayed on the amoxicillin for 6 or 7 years until one day another dermatologist informed me that it was time to go off the amoxicillin. It was at that moment that I realized I was in trouble with the folliculitis. Through the years I have also tried topical steroid solution, nasal bactroban, different prescribed shampoos, various anti- biotic, zinc etc. My next dermatologist prescribed accutane. It worked well for about 4 months at 20 mg a day, but then the folliculitis started back and we went to 40 mgs. a day. Frustrated after a year or so, I contacted another dermatologist from the University of Pennsylvania who is Dr. George Cotsarelis. The Doctor had blood work done. He checked me for diabetes, AIDS, and all the other normal blood work tests. He swabbed my nose for bacteria, and several times he did several different cultures/ test on the boil/ lesion itself. No bacteria ever showed up, no staff infection. . At this time Dr. George Cotsarelis concluded that my folliculitis was more serious type by the name of necrotica folliculitis.
 Dr. George Cotsarelis then concluded that my folliculitis was a result of my immune system mistakenly attacking hair follicles on my body. Basically the folliculitis / boils were from an auto “immune problem an inflammatory disease. Normally the immune system cannot see the hair follicles. However for some unknown reason the immune system suddenly starts attacking the follicles, hence, painful boils erupt on my body.Unfortunalty the last time I was treated with amoxicillin the medication seemed not to work as well as it did in the past. Dr. George Cotsarelis is again trying Minocycline. Minocycline works for a while but ultimately the folliculitis resist the medication. I have done my best to accurately describe the actions of Dr. George Cotsarelis who I might add is a great doctor, however I probably have not been successful 100% trying to accurately describe his treatments, test, and medical interoperations / diagnosis that he has done. Presently every several days my entire body feels very itchy. Sometimes I feel blushed or like I have a fever even though I do not. And then there are the boils that now show up anywhere on my body, from my scalp, to my face, my buttocks etc. I have utmost respect for Dr. Cotsarelis however any input via person who suffers from folliculitis of any type, and also input from other doctors would be appreciated. The symptoms are getting more intense, I lose sleep and word days. Please consider some suggestions.
My name email address is <email removed>

[Bamawing]

Welcome to Skincell, Roccof!

I get a little folliculitis from time to time on my thighs. It's annoying, but nothing like what you've described. Sounds like you've really been through the wringer!

We've got quite a few members here that have folliculitis, so know that you're not alone.

[Nick]

Hiya Roccof and welcome

It certainly sounds like you have a very stubborn case of folliculitis there but as Bama said, you are certainly not alone with this on SkinCell.
You have tried so many treatments, have you considered using NSAIDS?

[sydney2004]

Hi,
I suffered from folliculitis about four years ago. I have had lots of skin problems/rashes/sensitive skin and currently have perioral dermatitis, so I know how frustrating it is to not be able to get rid of something.
I developed folliculitis on my legs and bikini line (I'm female). The doctor believed it was from bacteria getting in after shaving, so he told me to stop for the time I was on the antibiotics, then try again. I was prescribed the first round of tetracycline, but it came back with a vengeance as soon as I shaved. I went through rounds of antibiotics for about six months. I didn't wear shorts or skirts, because I couldn't shave my legs and was covered in red boils. I washed with Spectro Jel, tried to tan so they would dry out (I was desperate!) but it always came back.
After I went to a doctor on campus she suggested a naturopath, something I hadn't thought of before. I went to one who told me to stop shaving for four months (really,really hard) but I complied. She put me on a regimen of vitamins, including greens plus and protein shakes, tinctures and something that she had researched that resembled the antibiotics used for folliculitis. Sorry, I don't remember the name but if you are interested I'm sure you could research it on the Internet or I could find the name for you. I cut out sugar, caffeine, as much alcohol as possible! and she also gave me echinacea injections. I wasn't expecting much, but when I shaved after the four months of naturopathic treatment the folliculitis went away and hasn't returned since.
I think antibiotics can be effective in some cases -I'm currently trying Minocycline for my dermatitis bc I want to try that first, but I also think sometimes getting to the root of the problem in your immune system could be useful. Your immune system may be getting really run down from all the antibiotics, so it could be worth a try. Good luck!