Both, Bacterial & Fungal Folliculius?

[jiu_jitsu_guy]

Diagnoses & treatment: PCP diagnosed Folliculitus (In beard and forearm) prescribed the antibiotic Doxyciline Hyclate 100mg 2xDaily (oral) & as topical agent apple cider vinegar (home remedy).

Descritpion of infection: Red, semi itchy red bumps and some white, some with a scaley white dead skin over and a "black head" in the follicle.  In the lower middler jaw, besides large red razor bump spots there were 2 masses under skin they would move if pushed around. They did not hurt that bad but get inflammed at times and have had them for a long time off and on, hair stopped growing over them.

After taking Doxy for three days some of the folliculitus spread to my forhead and upper hairline (black head with white around it, hair still in follicle, and some scales of white dead skin over) also I am noticing Molluscum on arms and on chest forming, my body usually rids of this fast. I had ringworm and got rid of it with apple cider vinegar right before taking the Doxy, it has not returned. The folliculitus has not spread any further since that one time it spread to my fore head and I am on the 8th day of the Doxy, although, the masses in my jaw have seemed to go down considerably the rest of my face is getting small "white heads" hard and crusted and the razor rash is still present. Basically all of the "surface folliculitus is still there and has worsened. I wipe down a little with apple cider vinegar every other night and wash with an antibiotic soap every other day than that, when anti bacterial soap is used dead white skin appears on armsafter water has dried. In the morning of the first couple of days on the doxy my scalp was itchy, also I had this white stuff coming out of pores on face over nose, ears and a little form the cheeks under eyes. I have discontinued shaving until my face clears.  

Questions:
Could I possibly have both fungal and bacterial folliculitus, which may explain why it worsened when starting the anti biotics? Or is surface folliculitus (bacterial) able to live through oral anti biotics and I should use topical anti biotics to help?  

Am I able to return to fighting now?  I train MMA (mixed martial arts) and have stopped because of this, is this contagious to others?

**My PCP has not called me back, I'm not a hypocondriac so I am sure my doc has people that have more pressing health issues and is super busy.

Thank you for any and all support, it is truly appreciated.

~Mario

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
There are a few factors which can cause chronic and recurrent folliculitis. Some of the causes are frequent shaving, immunosuppression, preexisting dermatoses, long-term antibiotic use, occlusive clothing, exposure to hot humid temperatures, diabetes mellitus and obesity. Please check out these causes and try lifestyle modifications which can prevent chronic folliculitis.
I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.

[jiu_jitsu_guy]

Doctor Kaur,

My apologies for getting your surname confused. Doctor thank you very much for your responses, it is greatly appreciated. I will apply the anti biotic cream and see if that helps, but I am still confused on this aspect, why is the folliculitus spreading while I am on anti biotics? This is my 11th day of 14 on Doxyciline Hycate 100mg 2 per daily (oral). Thanks again Doctor! Have a great day.

Jiu jitsu guy    

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It does not sound like a fungal infection because it is not itchy. The black dot in the middle can be a hair follicle or a blackhead that is caused by excess oils that have accumulated in the sebaceous gland's duct. Use the above stated treatment and if the symptoms persist then please consult a dermatologist.
Hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing or in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.

[jiu_jitsu_guy]

Hello and thank you for your response Doctor,

    I am currently on anti biotics and after the first few days the folliculitus spread. I placed a black light near my face recently and the folliculitus on my hairline and the stray ones on my forehead had a white glow to them. The initial folliculitus razor burn on the jaw did not glow at all. But you are right it doesn't itch, although it does have a slight tingling sensation that makes me want to scratch a little bit.

To add, this folliculitus was not presents before and is not the reason I went to the doctor, it was only for the red dots and the mass under the skin in my jaw. These new ones look much different, white, with a small black inside or head, when there is hair then there is a layer of what looks like dead skin (white, shiny). If it's still not likely that it's fungal, then let me know, thanks again and have a great day Dr. Bhupinder.

Should I keep from close contact sports until this is gone?

~Jiu Jitsu Guy

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Folliculitis is the inflammation of one or more hair follicles. The condition may occur anywhere on the skin. It starts when hair follicles are damaged by friction from clothing or blockage of the follicle. In most cases of folliculitis, the damaged follicles are then infected with the bacteria Staphylococcus (staph). It does not look like fungal infection because it is non itchy.
Please keep the area clean and apply some topical antiseptics. Also wear loose-fitting cotton clothing and use an antibacterial soap or mild soap like dove. Avoid any kind of cosmetics. Topical antibiotics such as mupirocin or neomycin containing ointment are also useful. In case the symptoms persist then oral antibiotics may be needed. These specific antibiotics are prescribed only after culture of pus from these follicles. Please consult a dermatologist in that case.
I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.