Breast Hair Follicle Infection: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Key takeaways:

• Breast hair follicle infections are a common form of superficial bacterial folliculitis.
• Breast hair follicle infections can happen to anyone regardless of age and sex.
• Breast hair follicle infections are often mild and can easily be treated, except in certain cases. 
• The major cause of breast hair follicle infection is bacterial infection, which can get into the breast hair follicle through minor cuts on the surface of the breast. Still, other causative factors may include ingrown hairs and foreign materials underneath the skin.
• Symptoms of breast hair follicle infections include boils, pain, inflammation (swelling), and pus accumulation in the affected site. 

Breast hair follicle infections can be easily overlooked, partly because hair follicle infections can occur in various parts of the body. Since hair infections can occur on various body parts that grow hair, what makes breast hair follicle infections so concerning?

Factors like the breast's sensitivity, the possibility of cosmetic issues, and the quick need for medical attention for any changes to the breast, even if the infection is only mild, make this infection concerning.

Breast hair follicle infections are a type of skin infection that occurs due to an inflammation of the hair follicle in the breast area. Breast hair follicle infections can affect anyone regardless of their age or gender.

This article highlights key details and information regarding breast hair follicle infections, such as their symptoms, causes, possible treatment options, and preventive measures. 

What is hair follicle infection?

Hair follicle infection, medically known as folliculitis, is a common skin condition that involves an infection of the hair follicle. For starters, a hair follicle is a shaft or opening on the surface of the skin through which hair grows. Hair follicle infections are usually mild, with inflammation and pustule (pus containing red bumps) formed on the affected hair follicle.

Hair follicle infections occur on various parts of the body, especially the buttocks, scalp, legs, back, chest, face, and, of course, the breasts.

Types of hair follicle infections

Bacteria, fungi, and viruses can cause hair follicle infections. It also has non-infectious causes. The various types of hair follicle infections and their causative agents include:

• Superficial bacterial folliculitis is the most common type of hair infection. It is caused by certain superficial bacteria found on the skin's surface. 
• Gram-negative bacterial folliculitis: This type of hair follicle infection is caused by bacteria that infect the skin when it comes into contact with untreated or poorly treated public tubs or baths. 
• Pityrosporum folliculitis: This type of hair follicle infection is caused by fungal infection, specifically by Malassezia species of fungi. 
• Viral folliculitis: This type of hair follicle infection is caused by a viral infection, specifically the herpes virus. In rare cases, the viral species Molluscum contagiosum can also cause viral folliculitis.
• Demodex folliculitis: This type of folliculitis is caused by a species of mite called the Demodex folliculorum, which bites and infects the hair follicle. 
• Eosinophilic folliculitis: This type of folliculitis mainly affects patients with low immunity. It is also known to affect patients undergoing  cancer treatment with drugs(chemotherapy) 

Although most hair follicle infections are not life-threatening, easily treated, and often self-limited, they may pose significant health problems for patients with reduced immunity. They may even progress to other health complications.

Symptoms of breast hair follicle infection

Some of the most common symptoms of breast hair follicle infections include:

• Boils 
• Fever 
• Pustule (pus-filled  bumps)
• Damaged hair follicle 
• Inflammation (swelling, redness, pain and tenderness of affected area) 
• Itching 
• Breast pain
• Whitish or bloody pus discharge from infected breast hair follicle. 

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms exceeding those mentioned above, consult your doctor for a proper diagnosis. 

Causes of breast hair follicle infection

Breast hair follicle infections are a type of superficial bacterial folliculitis, which is the most common type of hair follicle infections.

This type of hair follicle infection is mainly due to a bacterial infection on the follicle. This is mainly caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (a gram-positive bacteria). Under normal circumstances, this bacteria doesn't cause harm to healthy skin, as it is considered normal skin bacteria. 

However, upon introduction into a small crack or micro cut in the skin of the breast or nipple, the bacteria can infect the hair follicle.  This results in an inflammatory response in the infected breast hair follicle. 

Other common causes of breast hair follicle infection may include  

• Viral infections: Viral infections are where certain species of viruses, like the herpes virus, can cause breast hair follicle infections. 
• Fungal infections: As stated earlier, fungal infections can cause hair follicle infections in the breast. 
• Certain physical actions: Physical actions that can damage hair follicles on the breast and potentially cause infections include shaving, waxing, and friction from tight clothing. 
• Other causes: Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) and obstruction of hair follicles with thick lotions can also cause breast hair follicle infections.

Complications of breast hair follicle infection

In certain cases, breast hair follicle infections have been known to result in certain complications such as:

• Cellulitis or abscess: This occurs when the folliculitis infection spreads to other hair follicles, resulting in inflammatory red coloration of the surrounding skin.
• Scarring of affected area: If not treated properly, certain breast hair follicle infections may result in rupture and scarring of the affected area. 
• Hyperpigmentation (darkening) of the affected area: Hyperpigmentation is common after the healing process for most skin injuries.  
• Recurring infection: In some cases, the affected area might become prone to more recurring hair follicle infections and may even begin to spread to other regions.

Studies indicate that although hair follicle infections are somewhat easy to treat, certain patients with low immunity run a high risk of developing complications. 

Medical treatment for breast hair follicle infection

Breast hair follicle infection can be treated medically by using either of the two options:

• Through medicated topical antibiotic creams such as topical mupirocin and clindamycin. 
• Through oral antibiotics such as cephalexin and dicloxacillin.

Your doctor may prescribe oral antibiotics only after the topical antibiotics have proven ineffective, indicating that the folliculitis has burrowed deeper into the skin. 

Home remedies for breast hair follicle infection

Certain home remedies have proven effective in treating breast hair follicle infections. Some of these home remedies include:

• Avoid wearing tight/constricting clothing and underwear on or around the infected area. 
• Use warm cloth compresses to reduce the inflammation and decrease the chances of the hair follicle infection spreading. 
• Stop using hair removal creams or shaving sticks on the infected area. 
• Avoid scratching the infected hair follicle, as it could result in skin irritation. 
• Avoid continuous contact with the infected area, as it may cause the boil to pop and infect other areas. 
• You may wrap the infected area with a clean bandage if need be. 
• Maintain good hygiene and wash your body towels and washcloths regularly. 
• Be sure to wash your hands before and after touching the infected area, and leave the infected area exposed to fresh air whenever possible. 

Although these home remedies are effective, some patients with recurring or hair follicle infection complications can also use them in combination with their doctor's prescribed antibiotics for more effective results. 

How to prevent breast hair follicle infection

Several strategies can significantly reduce your chances of getting a breast hair follicle infection. Some of these preventive measures include:

• Keeping your skin well moisturized. 
• Shaving properly in the right direction will enable proper regrowth of hair.
• Use a shaving cream, soap, or gel when shaving your breast region. 
• Opting to use other safe hair removal methods besides shaving. 
• Avoid sharing personal items like your towels, razors, and handkerchiefs. 
• Use properly maintained spas and pools. 
• Wash your hands properly with antibacterial soaps, or always carry a hand sanitizer.
• Be sure to trim your nails, as they can contain germs. 
• Avoid using chemicals or body creams that are harsh on your skin. 

Strict adherence to these preventive measures should help you reduce the chances of a recurring breast hair follicle infection. 

When to see a healthcare provider

If you notice any of the listed symptoms of breast hair follicle infection, do not attempt to begin treatment on yourself immediately. 

This is because you may make the infection worse or, in some cases, misidentify a hair follicle infection with other skin ailments with similar symptoms. A good example would be Acne vulgaris, which, although different from folliculitis, shares certain symptoms with it.

Be sure to consult your family doctor or an expert dermatologist(skin doctor) as soon as you experience any of the symptoms or complications listed earlier in the article.

This would enable you to be properly diagnosed and guided on the proper treatment route to ensure a quick recovery.