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Could shaving cause folliculitis?

Prof (Dr) DM Thappa
Associate Professor and Head,
Dermatology and STD Department, JIPMER,
Pondicherry

Q: I have been getting little red bumps filled with pus around my groin and on the inside of my upper legs and I have a few on my neck and on my chest. There is less on my chest and neck. What could be the cause? I thought they might be caused due to shaving, cause I do shave there, but then I noticed them in the other places too. Please help.

A:It could be pseudofolliculitis due to piercing of skin by sharpened end of the hair due to shaving. In that case you have to avoid shaving the area you are talking of. Sometimes it may result from secondary bacterial infection, then topical antibacterial cream / ointment - like soframycin or even better -Mupirocin ointment / Fucidin cream may be used.