Is sulfur soap effective for folliculitis?

Jun 28, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

Recently, I've been experiencing symptoms of itchy scalp, and my doctor diagnosed it as folliculitis. Is sulfur soap effective for treating folliculitis?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
The therapeutic effect of sulfur soap on folliculitis is definite, but the specific effectiveness depends on the severity of the folliculitis. 1. Adjunctive treatment effect: Sulfur soap has the function of inhibiting follicular sebum secretion and eliminating pathogens, mites, and parasites on the skin surface. It can serve as an adjunctive treatment for mild folliculitis. This is mainly due to the disinfectant and antibacterial properties of sulfur soap, which help reduce bacteria and mites on the skin surface, thereby alleviating symptoms of folliculitis. 2. Limitations: However, for severe folliculitis, especially cases accompanied by purulent discharge, bleeding or other severe skin injuries, sulfur soap may not directly kill bacteria or fungi, and its therapeutic effect is limited. In such cases, in addition to using sulfur soap, other medications such as antibiotic or antifungal ointments are required for effective treatment. 3. Precautions: Sulfur soap has some therapeutic effect on folliculitis, but the specific effectiveness depends on the severity of the condition. While using sulfur soap, care should also be taken to avoid contact with the eyes and other mucous membranes to prevent irritation. If allergic reactions or worsening of symptoms occur during use, discontinue use immediately and seek medical attention promptly.