The key difference between furuncle and folliculitis is that furuncle is a pus-filled lesion on the skin caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, while folliculitis is the inflammation of the hair follicles caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, viruses, parasites, medication, or physical injury.
Skin disorders vary based on symptoms and severity. They can be temporary, permanent, painless, or painful. Common skin disorders include acne, blisters, hives, furuncle, folliculitis, carbuncle, cold sore, acne keratosis, rosacea, latex allergy, etc. They can be caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, immune system reactions, or due to other reasons. Furuncle and folliculitis are two common skin disorders.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is a Furuncle
3. What is Folliculitis
4. Similarities – Furuncle and Folliculitis
5. Furuncle vs Folliculitis in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Furuncle vs Folliculitis
What is a Furuncle?
Furuncle is a pus-filled lesion on the skin that is caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus. It is also known as a boil. This condition is usually painful and firm. Furuncle happens when infection around the hair follicles spreads deeper into the skin. Furuncle is usually located in the waist area, groin, buttocks, and underarms. The symptoms of furuncle include a painful bump or lump in the skin, pus in the centre of the bump or lump, and whitish or bloody discharges leaking from the furuncle. The most common complication of furuncle is scarring and recurrence. But in rare cases, it can lead to systematic infections with fever and organ-related symptoms.
Figure 01: Furuncle
Moreover, furuncle can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, and skin biopsy. Furthermore, treatment options for furuncle are topical antibiotics, warm compresses that may be used to help drainage of the lesion, surgical incision and drainage of the pus, oral or intravenous antibiotics, acetaminophen, and taking pain relievers.
What is Folliculitis?
Folliculitis is the inflammation of the hair follicles caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, viruses, parasites, medication, or physical injury. It can happen due to an infection, injury, or irritation. Folliculitis is characterized by tender swollen areas around hair follicles on the neck, breast, buttocks, and face. The symptoms of this condition include pus in hair follicles, irritated and red follicles, damaged hair, clusters of small bumps or pimples, pus-filled blisters, itchy, burning skin, painful, tender skin, and an inflamed bump. The complications involved in folliculitis include recurrent or spreading infection, scarring, hyperpigmentation or hypopigmentation, and destruction of hair follicles or permanent hair loss.
Figure 02: Folliculitis
Moreover, folliculitis can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, scraping of the skin to observe under the microscope, swab culturing, and skin biopsy. Treatment options for folliculitis include lotions, gels or pills to control bacterial infection (antibiotics), creams, shampoos or pills to control fungal infections (antifungal medications), antiviral medications creams or pills to control inflammation, pain relievers, minor surgery, and laser hair removal.
What are the Similarities Between Furuncle and Folliculitis?
- Furuncle and folliculitis are two common skin disorders.
- Both conditions can be caused by infections such as bacterial infections.
- These conditions are characterized by painful skin bumps and irritation.
- Both conditions can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, and skin biopsy.
- They are treated through medications like antibiotics and pain relievers.
What is the Difference Between Furuncle and Folliculitis?
Furuncle is a pus-filled lesion on the skin caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, while folliculitis is the inflammation of the hair follicles caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, viruses, parasites, medication, or physical injury. Thus, this is the key difference between furuncle and folliculitis. Furthermore, furuncle can only happen due to an infection, while folliculitis can happen due to an infection, injury, or irritation.
The below infographic presents the differences between furuncle and folliculitis in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Furuncle vs Folliculitis
Furuncle and folliculitis are two different types of skin disorders. They are both caused by infections such as bacterial infections. Furuncle is a pus-filled lesion on the skin caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, while folliculitis is the inflammation of the hair follicles caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, viruses, parasites, medication, or physical injury. So, this summarizes the difference between furuncle and folliculitis.
Reference:
1. “Boils and Carbuncles.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
2. “Folliculitis: Appearance, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Furuncle-MIN-IMG 2577” By El Pantera – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Pityrosporum folliculitis 2” By Ran Yuping et al. – (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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