7. Use anti-itching lotion
Over-the-counter anti-itching lotions and creams can help soothe folliculitis symptoms. They contain hydrocortisone, a kind of steroid medication that helps bring down itching, swelling, and redness.
Apply the steroid cream or lotion thinly over the skin area. Wash your hands after using it. Hydrocortisone cream is a medication, so use it only as directed.
8. Try wet wraps
Wet wrap therapy is a way to help ease skin itching and irritation. Dermatologists recommend this at-home therapy for people who have eczema and other skin rashes. It can also be used to help reduce folliculitis symptoms like itchiness.
Not scratching itchy skin can help speed up healing. It may also help prevent folliculitis from getting worse or spreading to other body areas. You can use antibiotic ointment or anti-itching lotion first.
- Wash the area and your hands with warm soapy water.
- Cut a clean cotton cloth into strips or use gauze bandages — the type used to dress cuts.
- Pour sterile water (or boiled water that has been cooled) into a bowl.
- Soak a cotton or gauze strip in the water.
- Squeeze out the water and lay over your area.
- Repeat until the entire area of folliculitis is covered.
- Cover the wet bandages with dry ones.
- Leave on for up to 8 hours.
- Remove the bandages and use a fresh cloth or gauze if you want to reapply the wet wrap.
