Tufted Hair Folliculitis: Complete Enduring Response After Treatment With Rifampicin

In 2004, a case study reported a 47-year-old woman with tufted hair folliculitis, a condition characterized by erythematous lesions with papules and pustules, as well as sclero-atrophic alopecia in the parieto-occipital region. Previous treatments with tetracyclines and erythromycin had only partially improved her condition, which relapsed upon cessation of the antibiotics. Staphylococcus aureus was cultured from the pustules, and a skin biopsy confirmed the diagnosis. The patient was then treated with oral rifampicin at a dosage of 450 mg twice per day. After 3 weeks, the pustular lesions completely regressed, and there was no relapse after a 1-year follow-up. This suggests that rifampicin, an antibiotic effective against S. aureus, may be beneficial for controlling the pustular phase of tufted hair folliculitis and preventing long-term relapses.