Folliculitis profunda (overview) L01.0

Acute, rarely chronic, painful, red and overheated lump of skin attached to a hair follicle, which is halo-like surrounded by a collateral erythema.

Folliculitis profunda:

• profound folliculitis with melting perifolliculitis = boils
  • Special case: furunculosis
• Confluent boils = carbuncles

Predilection sites are regions of the face, neck, axillae, buttocks and thighs (usually on the extensor side) that are rich in sebaceous glands.

Red, flat, mostly cone-shaped, but usually pointed and smooth papules ("pimples") that develop within hours, initially only slightly painful, but increasingly so over time. As the inflammation progresses with melting perifolliculitis, a highly painful red lump(boil) develops with a central, initially yellowish-purulent tip and subsequent black crust, with perilesional redness and swelling. At this stage, painful lymphadenitis begins, possibly with visible lymphangitis. Accompanying fever possible.

• Disinfectant solutions with antimicrobial additives such as polihexanide (Serasept, Prontoderm, Prontosan), hydroxyquinoline, e.g. quinolinol (e.g. Chinosol 1:1000) or R042, polyvidone-iodine (e.g. Betaisodona Lsg.), 0.5-2.0% Clioquinol-Lotio R050.
• Bandages using traction ointments such as distillates of bituminous slate (e.g. Ammonium bituminosulfonate 100% or R130 ) or antimicrobial additives such as Clioquinol (Linola-Sept).