What is Barber's Itch ?

Barber’s Itch

Other names: Folliculitis, tinea barbae, pseudofolliculitis barbae

Barber’s itch is an infection of the upper part of the hair follicles, which can occur anywhere on the skin.

It starts when hair follicles are damaged by friction due to clothing, a blocked follicle or shaving.

In most cases the follicles are infected with staphylococcus – more commonly known as staph.

Although not often a serious condition, severe cases of barber’s itch may cause permanent hair loss and scarring.

Barber’s itch usually occurs on the upper lip and is aggravated by shaving, but it also may occur on the neck or groin area.

There are various forms of folliculitis, depending on the bacteria involved and the affected area.

Deep folliculitis, which affects the entire hair follicle instead of just the top portion, is very painful.

Symptoms include:

Rash
Pimple-looking bumps that may crust over
Itching

Treatments include minimizing friction from clothing, avoiding shaving and keeping the area clean. Often this infection will clear up without treatment.

Use only clean washcloths when applying warm, moist compresses to promote drainage. Topical and oral antibiotics or antifungal medications may be prescribed.

Please note that this material is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or instruction. Consult your healthcare professional for advice relating to a medical problem or condition.