The Little Red Bumps Are Firmly In Control

March 17, 2012 5:01 PM

Does anybody know of a cheap, effective way of treating Folliculitis?

I've had little red bumps all over my thighs for a few months now, and I think that Folliculitis brought on by bad razors is the most likely culprit. No amount of moisturizer has helped, though I've been putting Neosporin on my legs for about a week and the bumps have diminished in both in size and coverage.

Frankly, I can't afford to see a dermatologist who could confirm my self-diagnosis and prescribe a treatment. So, has anybody had a similar problem, and luck with something that didn't need to be prescribed?

posted by Toby Dammit X to Health & Fitness (10 answers total)

Are you sure it's not Keratosis Pilaris? I have that on my upper arms and find that using shower gloves and a medicated body wash smooths it away.
posted by essexjan at 5:14 PM on March 17, 2012 [1 favorite]

(ms. Veg)
Hydrocortisone may help. I also change my razor blade every time I shave my legs, as recommended by my doctor.
posted by a robot made out of meat at 5:25 PM on March 17, 2012

For years I had a folliculitis-like condition that nothing seemed to help. Then I tried a coal tar-based psoriasis ointment (Psoriasin) that cleared it right up. So you could try that.
posted by sevenyearlurk at 6:11 PM on March 17, 2012 [1 favorite]

I struggled with this for about half a year once and felt like it would never go away. What resolved it was using anti-bacterial soap in the shower, and shaving with a new razor every week. It cleared up within a couple of weeks and I haven't had a reoccurrence since and no longer user the anti-bac soap, but still religiously buy sharp good quality razors and throw them away after two uses. Also make sure you're taking showers instead of baths, and dry off before you get dressed.
posted by sarahnicolesays at 6:32 PM on March 17, 2012

I was going to say what sevenyearlurk said - try washing with Neutrogena T-Gel, or, even head and shoulders. For some reason, when I use those, I see fewer issues in areas other than my head.
posted by dpx.mfx at 6:35 PM on March 17, 2012

Try Amalactin. The lactic acid helps....
posted by answergrape at 7:29 PM on March 17, 2012 [2 favorites]

Walgreen's brand anti-bacterial soap, 99 cents, cleared up my back folliculitis.
posted by ClaudiaCenter at 8:49 PM on March 17, 2012

I haven't tried it yet, so this isn't exactly an endorsement, but Bump Stopper was recommended to me for what sounds like a similar frustration.
posted by eralclare at 8:35 AM on March 18, 2012

While showering, use salicylic acid body wash and mechanically exfoliating (gently). Afterwards, try something like Amlactin.
posted by BEE-EATING CAT-EATER at 2:39 PM on March 18, 2012

My dermatologist had me get this, which has mostly helped (if I use it regularly).
posted by getawaysticks at 6:27 AM on March 19, 2012