How to Determine Whether Your Folliculitis Is Bacterial or Fungal
Disease description:
I have developed folliculitis and am preparing to go to the hospital for examination and treatment. How can I determine whether my folliculitis is bacterial or fungal?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Wan
To determine whether your folliculitis is bacterial or fungal, laboratory testing is required. This involves scraping skin scales from the affected area and examining them under a fungal microscope. If fungal hyphae or spores are observed, a diagnosis of fungal folliculitis can be made. For fungal folliculitis, antifungal medications are indicated; commonly used agents include terbinafine, fluconazole, and itraconazole. In contrast, bacterial folliculitis may be treated with topical erythromycin ointment.
