Balachandran Parapattu Kunjukunju
BACKGROUND
Chronic folliculitis is a chronic infection of the hair follicles predominantly seen on legs. The main features of the disease are follicular pustules, perifolliculitis, cutaneous oedema, crusting, scaling, atrophy, loss of hair and follicular scarring. In spite of treatment, the condition progresses till loss of all hair from the affected area.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This is a cross-sectional descriptive study of seventy five patients with chronic folliculitis who attended the Outpatient Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Government Medical College, Kottayam, Kerala. After getting the informed written consent, they were enrolled in the study. Aim of the study is to find out the clinical and demographic profile, aetiology and treatment response.
RESULTS
Out of the 75 patients studied, 57 (76%) were males and 18 (24%) were females. Maximum age group affected were in the 21-40 years (60%). Out of 75 patients studied, 58.7% were manual labourers. Initial site of involvement was lower limb in 86.7% patients. Involvement of legs seen in all patients in the course of the disease. Oil application, working with wet soil, soap application and rubbing are the common precipitating factors noted in the study. Staphylococci was the commonest aetiological agent seen in 57 (76%) patients.
CONCLUSION
We conclude that chronic folliculitis is mainly a disease of males affecting mainly to the manual labourers, chronic folliculitis is a disease refractory to treatment.
