Folliculitis?

[RAIDERZ]

I thought I had Keratosis Pilaris on the back of my arms (both) and also some tiny bumps on my chest, however I went to my doctor and he told me it was Folliculitis, dry skin. Said to apply baby oil after showering etc....

Well these bumps don't itch at all, really doesn't bother me, and doing some research I found that most people say Folliculitis is itchy? Mine doesnt itch at all, and looking at photos it looks more like KP than anything.

Is Folliculitis common on back of arms and chest? It kinda runs down my sides a bit. And is it also non-itchy?

And Folliculitis is the inflammation of one or more hair follicles, wlel where mine are located (back of arms and stomach/chest) there really is no hair there at all.....

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi

Folliculitis usually presents as red bumps on the skin. These bumps affect the hair follicles, thus you would be able to see the bumps usually at the base of a hair shaft. The bumps may have a yellowish or greenish center. They may itch or they may be painful. As for keratosis pilaris, the bumps may be whitish in color. They usually affect the back of the arms or the upper portion of the lower extremities. They do not itch unless an overlying fungal infection is present. Keratosis pilaris may resolve spontaneously while folliculitis is contagious. Based on your post, this does not seem to be folliculitis.

Have you applied topical antibiotics on the affected skin?

[Dr_Aparna]

Hi,
Keratosis pilaris is more common on the back of the arms and running down the sides. However, the lesions on your chest could be folliculitis.

Keratosis pilaris occurs as excess keratin, a natural protein in the skin, accumulates within the hair follicles forming hard plugs (process known as hyperkeratinization). Bearing only cosmetic consequence, the condition most often appears as a proliferation of tiny hard bumps that are seldom sore or itchy.

Many KP bumps contain an ingrown hair that has coiled. The hair grows inside the follicle, often encapsulated, and can be removed, much like an ingrown hair, though removal can lead to scarring.

There is currently no known cure for keratosis pilaris. The  treatments are largely symptomatic and may be used to temporarily improve the appearance and texture of affected skin.
Exfoliation, intensive moisturizing cremes, lac-hydrin, topical retinoids such as Retin A and medicated lotions containing alpha hydroxy acids or urea may be used for this purpose.

For folliclitis, which is an inflammation of the hair follicles caused by Staphylococcus, an application of anti-septic cream will do. It prsents as pimples/pustules associated with redness and itching, around a hair follicle.
ref:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keratosis_pilaris