Hair follicles become red and irritated, and pus-filled lesions form.
Folliculitis can clear up by itself in a matter of a couple of weeks or become more persistent and thus require treatment. The most common cause of folliculitis is infection by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus . Other species of bacteria may also be responsible. For example, contaminated water in whirlpools and hot tubs can transmit Pseudomonas aeruginosa , which can cause folliculitis. This bacterium may also be passed in wet suits.