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What Is The Difference Between Folliculitis And Acne?

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Posted on Thu, 24 Jul 2014
Question: Folliculitis or acne? No acne wash has been working. Some scars have smelling white pus when squeezed and a hair gets pushed out. Please help The ones on my back didnt start until my first summer as a soldier in XXXXXXX No acne wash can get rid of them. It was contained but this breakout happened over the weekend. The scars on my chest sometimes can be squeezed with foul smelling, white pus coming from it, sometimes a hair comes out too. I also didnt start getting the ones on my back until hair started growing on my back. Saw an army doctor(who im reluctant to trust) and he called it acne after 3 seconds of looking. Ive been reading and it sounds like it could be folliculitis.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (51 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
My opinion is Acne .

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for query.I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query.
Some clarification needed like
Do you have in face
Do you have dandruff

The points in favor of acne are:
By the distribution of lesions in the back and the V area if chest (area of sebacoues glands density).
The appearance of lesions both fresh and old present.
The age favor hormonal action on sebaceous glands.
The smell you are getting is the sebum smell some getting infected with the bacteria.
Acne mainly due to sebaceous glands ducts getting blocked and infected

Folliculitis usually are infection of hair follicle and are mainly filled with pus ,will be deeper,will not be so grouped and have severe pain .
Please try with topical benzoyl peroxide lotions /creams or antibiotic gels like clindamycin.
You can also try with oral antibiotics like doxy cycline or erythromycin.
If dandruff please treat with antidandruff lotions like ketoconazole.
Use cleansers or mild soaps
Wash the area at least twice a day.
You can reduce high glycemic foods as it increases acne in some
You can get back for any further clarifications.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (34 minutes later)
Thank you for your reply. I used to have mild acne on my face but nothing nearly this bad and it has been gone for a while now. And i do not have dandruff. Will go to the doctor and get some perscription topicals. Do you have any recommendations for reducing the severity of this? Im going on vacation in 11 days and it would be nice to not be so bad. Thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Oral antibiotics.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
You can take oral antibiotics like Doxycycline or Erythromycin or Azithromycin along with the topical creams as suggested by your doctor.
Beware of cleaning the area twice during vacation and about the diet.
You can get back to me for any further clarifications or else please close the discussion.
Thank You
Dr Bharatesh D Basti
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti

Dermatologist

Practicing since :1998

Answered : 1764 Questions

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What Is The Difference Between Folliculitis And Acne?

Brief Answer: My opinion is Acne . Detailed Answer: Hi Thank you for query.I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query. Some clarification needed like Do you have in face Do you have dandruff The points in favor of acne are: By the distribution of lesions in the back and the V area if chest (area of sebacoues glands density). The appearance of lesions both fresh and old present. The age favor hormonal action on sebaceous glands. The smell you are getting is the sebum smell some getting infected with the bacteria. Acne mainly due to sebaceous glands ducts getting blocked and infected Folliculitis usually are infection of hair follicle and are mainly filled with pus ,will be deeper,will not be so grouped and have severe pain . Please try with topical benzoyl peroxide lotions /creams or antibiotic gels like clindamycin. You can also try with oral antibiotics like doxy cycline or erythromycin. If dandruff please treat with antidandruff lotions like ketoconazole. Use cleansers or mild soaps Wash the area at least twice a day. You can reduce high glycemic foods as it increases acne in some You can get back for any further clarifications. Thank you Dr Bharatesh