A 24-year-old member asked:
How can you tell the difference between folliculitis and herpes?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Robert Kwokanswered
Pediatrics 35 years experience
Doctor can evaluate: Folliculitis usually affects a larger area of skin than the small spot that a herpes sore affects. Folliculitis is tiny pustules where the hair follicles are. Herpes makes tiny blisters, in a cluster, very close together. Herpes blisters (vesicles) break open with some clear or yellowish fluid, not pus like in folliculitis. A doctor can evaluate and tell the difference.
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6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. HECTOR Francoanswered
Dermatology 48 years experience
Look & symptoms : Herpes typically is recurrent in the same area, is painful and consists of a cluster of blisters (bumps filled with fluid). Folliculitis tends to be itchy rather than painful, does not tend to be localized to one area other than being associated with a hair follicle and shows up as a red bump or acne like pustule rather than a blister.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 41-year-old member asked:
Whats the difference between herpes and folliculitis?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Martin Raffanswered
Infectious Disease 58 years experience
Herpes simplex: Herpes is a virus. Folliculitis starts when hair follicles are damaged by friction from clothing, an insect bites, blockage of the follicle, shaving, or braids too tight and too close to the scalp. In most cases the damaged follicles are then infected with the bacteria staphylococcus, and may result in boils.
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4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Related questions
A 41-year-old member asked:
How do I know if I have folliculitis or herpes?
Dr. Martin Raffanswered
Infectious Disease 58 years experience
Herpes simplex: Very different illnesses and most doctors would be able to tell the difference quickly.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old male asked:
How I can differentiate genital folliculitis from genital herpes?
Dr. Vance Harrisanswered
Family Medicine 36 years experience
Clear fluid: Folliculitis is an infection of the hair follicle and there will be small pustules or redness around the hair follicles. Herpes is not just around the... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
View all answers
A 32-year-old member asked:
Is folliculitis or herpes more likely on haired area?
Dr. Antoanella Calameanswered
Pathology 21 years experience
Folliculitis : Folliculitis is an infection in the hair follicles. Each hair on your body grows out of a tiny pouch called a follicle. You can have folliculitis on a... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Doc said folliculitis but I think herpes--am I just being paranoid?
Dr. Martin Raffanswered
Infectious Disease 58 years experience
Would believe Doc: Most competent physicians can easily tell the difference between herpes and folliculitis. If, however, you are not convinced, get a second opinion. ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
What are signs of genital herpes vs folliculitis?
Last updated Dec 12, 2018
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