Pseudofolliculitis Barbae information including symptoms, diagnosis, misdiagnosis, treatment, causes
Pseudofolliculitis barbae is the medical term for razor bumps. 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. Shaving sharpens the ends of the hairs like a spear. The hairs then curve back into the skin causing pseudofolliculitis barbae. Pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) predominantly affects black men. It is most noticeable around the beard and neck. It causes small papules and pustules that can be confused with bacterial folliculitis. Diagnosis is by physical examinationCausesThe main cause is shaving. It is a foreign body reaction to the highly curved hairs that grow back into the skin. Often this growth causes inflammation. The main culprit is the blade shaving since it causes the hair ends to sharpen.Signs and Symptoms Pseudofolliculitis barbae predominantly affects black men. It is most noticeable around the beard and neck. Generally, this condition describes the ingrowth of emerged facial hairs back into the skin at a location currently adjacent to the follicle from which the hair has emerged. Pseudofolliculitis Barbae Treatment A 100% effective treatment is to let the beard grow. Once the hairs get to be a certain length they will not grow back into the skin. 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.Consider laser hair removal. In some cases, this is much more effective than any other measure.If the above measures fail, accept that you have to grow a beard! In certain occupations where beardedness is not approved of, a medical certificate may help. PreventionSome males use shaving powders (a kind of chemical depilatory) to avoid the irritation. Others may use a razor with a single blade or special wire-wrapped blade to avoid shaving too closely. Some men trim or grow a beard instead of shaving. In severe cases or in occupations where shaving is a requirement (such as the military), some men get electrolysis, laser hair removal, or use exfoliating products to minimize PFB.A 100% effective prevention is to let the beard grow. Once the hairs get to be a certain length they will not grow back into the skin. For most cases, totally avoid shaving for three to four weeks until all lesions have subsided, while applying a mild prescription cortisone cream to the involved skin each morning.
