Molluscum Folliculitis After Leg Shaving
August 2004
in “
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
”
New to retinoic acid? There is a guide in the encyclopedia. Read the guide → Studysummary This report presents a rare case where molluscum contagiosum folliculitis developed after a 23-year-old woman shaved her legs, highlighting the need to consider viral causes in similar persistent skin conditions following hair removal. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
A 23-year-old healthy female developed pruritic erythematous papules on her shins after shaving her legs with a disposable razor. Despite various treatments for suspected bacterial folliculitis, including topical retinoic acid and antibiotics, her condition did not improve and she experienced side effects. A biopsy revealed multiple molluscum bodies within the hair follicle epithelium, indicating molluscum contagiosum (MC). This case highlighted that viral folliculitis, particularly caused by MC, can occur after hair removal procedures and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of persistent folliculitis-like dermatoses. The patient tested negative for HIV, and it was speculated that the virus might have been present before shaving, leading to subsequent inoculation.
