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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Irregular Shaped Red Spots On Chest. Diagnosed As Staph Bacterial Folliculitis. Taking Antibiotics. Healing Time?

Red irregular shaped red spots on chest (hairy). Diagnosed staph bacterial folliculitis four months ago by visual. Two docs (one a dermatologist) diagnosed by sight only--no swab, no confirmed staph. Tried three different antibios and two ointments. No pustules only raised red blotches. Antibios and topical ointments (Clindamycin and Mupirocin). How long can a simple folliculitis infection last and could diagnosis be wrong? I mean doctors simply look at my chest and diagnose staph folliculitis!?
Fri, 7 Jun 2013
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,

Usually Follicullitis would not take so long(4 months) to get cured. If follicullitis is mild it should go away in 10 to 14 days even without treatment. There are two things that need to be considered in your case- either an alternate diagnosis or antibiotic resistance.

Microbiological examination of the lesions would confirm the diagnosis of Folliculitis and if diagnosed the doctor would do a culture and sensitivity test to avoid antibiotics that are resistant and start the ones which are sensitive. Please consider visiting a Dermatologist again as there are chances for an alternate diagnosis too.
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Irregular Shaped Red Spots On Chest. Diagnosed As Staph Bacterial Folliculitis. Taking Antibiotics. Healing Time?

Hi, Usually Follicullitis would not take so long(4 months) to get cured. If follicullitis is mild it should go away in 10 to 14 days even without treatment. There are two things that need to be considered in your case- either an alternate diagnosis or antibiotic resistance. Microbiological examination of the lesions would confirm the diagnosis of Folliculitis and if diagnosed the doctor would do a culture and sensitivity test to avoid antibiotics that are resistant and start the ones which are sensitive. Please consider visiting a Dermatologist again as there are chances for an alternate diagnosis too.