Folliculitis is defined as?

Folliculitis is defined as?

• A. Inflammation of sweat glands
• B. Inflammation of hair follicles, infected hairs, can carry staph
• C. Fungal infection of nails
• D. Allergic reaction

Answer: (B)

Folliculitis is the inflammation of hair follicles, usually around the opening of the follicle and often due to infection. That’s why the best definition mentions hair follicles and the possibility of infection, commonly with Staphylococcus bacteria that can involve the hairs themselves. It’s not about sweat glands (that would be a different skin condition), not about nails being fungal, and not simply an allergic reaction. Clinically you’d expect small red bumps or pustules centered on hair follicles, sometimes with itching or tenderness, which helps distinguish it from other skin issues.

Folliculitis is the inflammation of hair follicles, usually around the opening of the follicle and often due to infection. That’s why the best definition mentions hair follicles and the possibility of infection, commonly with Staphylococcus bacteria that can involve the hairs themselves. It’s not about sweat glands (that would be a different skin condition), not about nails being fungal, and not simply an allergic reaction. Clinically you’d expect small red bumps or pustules centered on hair follicles, sometimes with itching or tenderness, which helps distinguish it from other skin issues.