Clinical Case of Pseudofolliculitis: Clinical Case of Beard Hair Pseudofolliculitis
May 2021
TLDR Pseudofolliculitis causes painful bumps and dark spots from shaving, especially in people with curly hair, and can be treated by changing shaving habits and using specific topical treatments.
The document presented a clinical case of pseudofolliculitis, a chronic inflammatory condition causing papules and pustules in areas of regular shaving, particularly affecting men with dark skin and curly hair. It highlighted that pseudofolliculitis can occur in any skin type and is also common in women in the armpit and pubic areas. The condition results from hair growing spirally and penetrating the skin, leading to inflammation, micro abscesses, and fibrosis. Clinically, it manifests as follicular papules, pustules, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, with a higher prevalence in the neck area for men and the armpit and bikini area for women. The study emphasized that the most effective treatment involves stopping shaving, changing shaving techniques, using sharp razors, and applying local antibiotics, tretinoin, benzoyl peroxide, and glycolic acid, with laser hair removal being the most effective. The condition is particularly problematic for Latino and African American individuals, affecting 50-75% of African Americans and 3-5% of Caucasians who shave regularly.