Folliculitis Remedies Questions

Updated: 03/13/2012

*Ted, an independent contributor, offers information and opinions on Earth Clinic, not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician, pharmacist, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by Ted or by anyone on this site. Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs or diagnose your particular medical history.

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WHAT BORAX ARE YOU REFERRING TO FOR FOLLICULITIS TREATMENT?

SCALP FOLLICULTIS?

FOLLICULITIS WITH HAIR LOSS

MILDER REMEDIES?

FOLLICULITIES ON THE SCALP

SHAMPOO RECIPE AND HAIR LOSS SOLUTION

EXACT MEASUREMENT OF TEA TREE OIL AND LAVENDER

WHAT BORAX ARE YOU REFERRING TO FOR FOLLICULITIS TREATMENT?
03/13/2012: Peter.d from Gravesend, Kent: "Hi Ted, I have been suffering from the above now for about 5 years mainly affecting the crown and above ear area. Doctor prescribed Anti-Biotics which have'nt worked. Also tried some specialist Shampoo's. Selsun, Nizoral, Tea Tree shampoo plus others to no effect. Am a bit confused about wether or not the 'Borax' you refer to is in powder or liquid form if in powder how do you measure the composition to the liquid ACV and water ? I understand the 1:10 principal but if Powder how much in Teaspoons or Tablespoons etc ? and level or heaped ?

Also as an alternative to 'Borax' would it be the same amount of what you call 'Baking Soda' ( Here in U. K. Think its called 'Bicarbonate Soda' )

With both methods how long to apply for?"

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SCALP FOLLICULTIS?
05/05/2008: Christopher from Boston, Massachusetts: "As I type this post I have approximately 10 bumps on my scalp ranging from 1 to 3 cm in diameter. They don't itch that much, they are more painful/tender. My Story I'm nearly 30. When I was 17, I underwent a treatment of Accutance for mild acne on my face. In the months following the completion of the treatment I began getting small red bumps on my scalp. In the 2 years following the treatment, the bumps continued and the acne took root on my face once again. At age 20 I underwent a second treatment of Accutane. Again, the facial acne cleared. The small red bumps as well cleared. In the months after the treatment, however, the red bumps returned and were a bit larger. In the 2 years after the treatment I was placed on a litany of medications: Minocycline, Tetracycline, Bactrim etc. At age 23, after years of failed remedies, I was placed on a long-term low dosage treatment of Accutane (10mg every 3 days). Finally, I had my cure for the red bumps on my scalp. As well, the occasional pimple was nonexistent. Around age 28, after years of low dosage treatment of Accutane, and many pimple and folliculitus free days, I began to grow concerned about the potential adverse affects this medication would cause my liver, in addition to any other area of my body. I eventually ended the long term Accutane treatment. In the months following the cessation of the treatment I began using Proactive. For whatever reason (i.e., the previous medications, age, Proactive) the occasional pimple did not return (knock on wood, twice). The red bumps on my scalp, however, returned. Not only did they return, they returned with a vengeance. On average, I have 5-8 large bumps on my scalp. They persist on the back and sides of my scalp. Occasionally, they pop up on the crown. Rarely, they appear on my frontal hairline.

My Questions The first and obvious question: how can I rid myself of this annoying situation? I've been to several dermatologists. They tend to give prescriptions like a Vegas casino dealer dealing cards. I'm reluctant to embark on another journey through the various medications. My second question: Through my reading I've become slightly paranoid (not my nature) that I might be losing hair in the affected areas. I don't see any evidence of this. In my research, however, I've seen a trend. Thus, my question, is there any reason to believe that a mild to moderate outbreak will completely terminate a hair follicle? Thank you in advance for your time spent reading my message."

07/17/2011: Yara from Boston, Ma replies: "Hi,

I have been having these red spots on my arm for quite some time now. I searched the internet it gave me Folicultis. But the thing is it says that it is supposed to be ichy and it is not, I think it was at first. Is ths follicultis? and wil the vinger remedy work on arms? thank u"

07/18/2011: Maria from Gippsland, Auatralia replies: "Hi Yara, It can be a sign of vit-c deficiency. I have seen this (on the upper arms) gradually disappear after it has been there for several years, even two decades, with increased vit-c intake, 3-8g in divided doses daily. All the best, Maria"

08/26/2008: Sarah from Felixstowe, Suffolk, England, UK replies: "In reply to Christopher's mail 5/5/08... My husband is also went on Roacutane approx 12 years ago for facial acne. However in the last 8 years or so has been sufferrering from Follicitus Decalvans which you describe spot on in your comments. Follicitus is barbers rash where as Decalvans specifically affects the scalp. Ive looked up soo many links on the web you wouldnt believe. My husband has seen GP's and Dermatolists that have prescribed the same antibiotics you name. Unfortunately all they do is control the problem and do not give any cure. We have since been totally ripped off to by a London Trichologist so be warned if you are considering this route. Many Trichologists will not even entertain Follicitus Declvans and will refer you straight back to a Dermatologist. From what you descibe if you search on the internet you will soon get pictures up of the same. My husband also only really suffers on the crown on his head, its never really spread forward and although the lumps are in some sort of remission at present they always come back. He is just left with what I would call plugging, ie it looks like implants but is in fact where the folicles have scarred and forced too many hairs out of the same whole. Im sorry this does not given any real answers but Im trying to contact the British Association of Dermatoligists and also St John's Clinic based in St Thomas's Hospital in London on the quest to find somebody that knows more about this disease. I will certainly let you know if I find anything out. Cheers, Sarah"

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FOLLICULITIS WITH HAIR LOSS
10/15/2007: Jen : "Hello Ted, thank you for replying. Yes, I imagine the loads of mails you receive daily must be quite overwhelming. I'm sorry to be one of them. I really am. I understand you are a very busy person, so I wait patiently always. About the bumps. I did a biopsy on my scalp and was told it was folliculitis. I guess folliculitis of the scalp because its on my scalp. My case is chronic because every time I finish a dose of antibiotics they come back more aggressively. When I'm on the antibiotics the bumps disappear. But the red and tender scalp remains. I asked the doctor if it had a cure and I was disappointed to hear that is doesn't. Well, that's what she said. She said the only way to maintain it is through antibiotics. She said maintain, NOT cure. That's what worries me. But I'm looking for a natural way to maintain this without taking harsh drugs. I'm sure there must be a cure to this. How could there not be. You asked me for the nature of the bumps. Well, I'm guessing it progressed from my acne. This all started when I took clindamycin for my acne on my face. The clindamycin cleared my face in a weeks time, but I noticed that the acne when to my scalp. I called the Dr. and he said that since the medication was removing the acne from my face, the acne had to cleanse itself out through somewhere else. He said it would go away, but it just got worse. At first it was just the bumps. No itching, burning, sensitive, red or tender scalp. But since it has progressed new things have come up. Including my hair loss. So I might have both fungal and bacterial problems. I'm not sure. I was just told I had a chronic case of folliculitis that might have formed from my acne. I guess it just progressed to my scalp through infection. Basically I was told its acne on the scalp but its called folliculitis since its on the scalp. But if it helps, I would do any treatments you give me to treat it as both a fungal and bacterial condition. I don't mind doing double the treatment. I really just want to get better, this condition is really affecting me quite negatively. Yes, I take 50mg of zinc gluconate 4 days a week and 50 mg chelated manganese. I let them dissolve in water and drink it. The chelated manganese I take at night before bed, as you said it should be in an empty stomach. I'm also taking 200mg of magnesium citrate 4 days a week, 1/2 citric acid and 1/4 of baking soda ONCE daily, and I'm waiting to receive an order of sodium ascorbate through mail to start that. I'm also applying tea tree and lavender oil to my scalp daily. I'm washing my hair with borax, h202, and ACV and applying milk of magnesia to the bumps. The milk of magnesia does stop the itching, but the bumps don't seem to dry up. I'm vegetarian so I don't know if this affects my condition. I don't eat any meat, fish, or eggs. I do however drink probiotic yogurts that are of cow milk, tofu, vegetarian yeast, and drink soy milk. My diet is quite clean. Just consists of beans, rice, pasta, fruits, and vegetables. I have taken blood tests and everything is fine. I don't have any thyroid problems or anemia. About the baking soda, citric acid, and ACV. For how long do you suggest I take the citric acid and baking soda?? I'm afraid a long term would cause an ulcer or something?? Is that true??? But I take it only once daily. Should I drink more of it??? I also take only 1/2 of ACV daily. Should I take more??? You suggest I combine it with baking soda. So how much do you suggest I take of baking soda, citric acid, and ACV??? Should I take ACV and baking soda twice daily AND ALSO take citric acid and baking soda twice daily??? Or just take one or the other twice daily. Sorry, if I confused you. YOu can imagine how confused I am with all these remedies. Basically Ted, I just want to find a way to kill this from the inside to prevent it from recurring. Killing it from the inside, I think, is the key to this. I will go and buy the new products you suggested and will see how that goes. Another question, how long do remedies take to see some improvement. Like I told you in the previous mail, I have only been taking them for about a month. Maybe just 3 weeks. Perhaps its too short a time to tell or do you think I should've seen improvements already. What is the usual time span for improvements??? Thank you again Ted. Take care, Jen Ted replies: The bumps, if I only know if it is a bacteria or a fungus would helped me greatly. Assuming the bumps do got away with a local application, the other remedy that can help is: 1/4 teaspoon of borax in one liter of drinking water. And furthermore, if that doesn't work, 4 drops of clove oil is added to the drinking water. Borax dissolves some, not entirely so don't worry. It has limited solubility. An autoimmune reaction will be reduced if the fungus and heavy metals are reduced from the body. In which case chlorella supplement is something worth a try. Finally another Remedy, colorless iodine applied to the scalp might be of some help, in case the other remedies aren't working. My feeling is that the body is not receiving sufficient zinc or that the bioavailability of zinc is not getting into your system. Perhaps buying another brand or getting a larger dose. The standard is 50 mg zinc gluconate. If need be I might consider taking this once a day for only 5 days just to be sure, but the zinc gluconate is chewed on, not swallowed. Sometimes if the urinary sugar is higher than average, the bumps will be a problem. Sugars tend to do that. Getting your urinary pH to 7 is of prime importance, did you take enough baking soda and apple cider vinegar to achieve that? Hopefully this should help."

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "
Dear Jen:Thank you for detailed information, so I can be sure! I'm vegetarian so I don't know if this affects my condition. I don't eat any meat, fish, or eggs. A vegetarian diet may be lacking in certain amino acids and B12. Therefore an amino acid supplements and B12 supplements helps. Granulated lecithin one tablespoon helps.'It would appear that acne is caused (in my books!) by a couple of things: acidosis, sugar, low antioxidants, heavy metals (iron cookware!), zinc, and certain vitamin Bs. The blood sugar may be reduced or nomalized with more chromium supplements.

Based on your confusion it would seem the need to monitor urinary pH close to 7, though taking more baking soda, such as 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda plus 1/4 teaspoon of citric acid taken twice a day, or more if the pH is not close to 7. I would much prefer to use a cheap pocket pH meter, as they are more accurate than a litmus pH paper as they give false readings.

It would seem based on your feedback that the body was not properly alkalized or that the urinary pH is still off.

In case a bacteria problem, I would much prefer to take more herbs, such as cinnamon, cloves, thyme to the food. Or to take some supplements of olive leaf extract once a day. A drop of clove oil well dissolved in a full glass of water, well stirred is also a good antibiotics.

If in case heavy metals is causing the problem (heavy metals are a frequent problems with vegetarians because the fertilizers are high in heavy metals),then a chlorella supplement, 5 days out of a week and coriander may help.

Finally mouthwash of iodine 2-3 drops in a half glass of water may help raise the body's immunity and lack of iodine, and may further help reduce the conditon.

The best remedy, in case milk of magnesia is not working is to use epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) highly concentrated, such as 1-2 tablespoon as a shampoo left overnight and I would double or triple the magnesium citrate supplements (which means taken twice a day, or three times a day, but not all at once).

The reason why magnesium is so important is the major organism of a confirmed Follicultis is the staphylococcus. Their major weakness is alkalization and magnesium. Hence magnesium and alkalization should actually be major focus, since you seem to be sure of the problem."

10/09/2011: Sarah from San Francisco, Ca. replies: "Hi, I had chronic backne and rashes on my chest plus what looked like rosacea on my face and itchy scalp. I tried everything, I found the meds never worked, the soaps creams, ointments calamine never worked. The 2 things that have really changed my life and skin have been Diatomaceous earth and apple cider vinegar. I am certain now that the problem is mold. Not staph or anything like that. The mold is like yeast/fungus condition, the spores ar everywhere.

I live in San Francisco and I have noticed over the years that whenever I leave the city my skin clears up, when I go to hot humid musty places like South Asia it gets bad again. I'm pretty sure there's a large concentration of mold spores in our water supply here in Cali. Along with irritating levels of chlorine. It sounds crazy, but I have no other explanation, and I have battled this for decades now. I had a gross rash of pustules growing on my shoulders that would not respond to alcohol or any kind of cleanser. The minute I covered it in vinegar and dusted my skin with DE, it dried and went away. You need to kill the fungus with vinegar and powder your skin so the moisture doesn't allow it to grow. Good luck. I also have started drinking vinegar and taking tumeric because I am sure that I have mold and probably yeast in my system. This culture we live in creates a yeast overflow. Too many carbs and sugar and not enough clean food. Good luck all of you."

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MILDER REMEDIES?
09/30/2006: Kathy from Rochester, NY: "My husband was diagnosed with folliculitis on the scalp. The doctor said it started out with a primary infection and then a secondary infection developed after my husband repeatedly scratched his scalp with his finger nails. It cause sores to form on his scalp, his scalp gets really hot and looks very red. After the Accutane treatment for 6 months, the condition started to come back after 2 months. He using Clobex a steriod shampoo just to keep things under control but now that is not working. I read the treatment for scalp infections and will try it but since his condition is severe is there anything else you can suggest besides the tea tree oil and lavender."

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Dear Kathy: Yes, a milder form of treatment is a saturated solution of borax, with some hydrogen peroxide and vinegar. Assuming that in one cup of saturated borax solution, I would add maybe 1 teaspoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide, and 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Once added, you just stir the solution. It is a powerful antibiotic. This is my best guess. In a saturated borax solution I keep adding borax until it will no longer dissolved itself and settle on the bottom.

If this is too harsh for you then just use the borax alone. The funny thing is my own mother used a pure 100% alcohol solution (ethanol) and it does help a lot of infections. I never was lucky enough to have a chance to use antibiotics since the alternatives have worked so well. Unfortunately, pure 100% ethanol alcohol is a controlled substance as authorities are afraid of people drinking them as an alcoholic beverage. The main component of an alcoholic beverage that makes people drunk is in fact the ethanol. This is never ever to be confused with the poisonous methanol alcohol.

In case of accidental poisoning, or skin irritation my personal remedy or my antidote is unsurprisingly, vinegar. Perhaps we should rename this website, vinegar dot com, due to its ubiquitious use as a medicine! Even the father of medicine, Hippocrates used vinegar in a wide variety of cures."

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FOLLICULITIES ON THE SCALP
09/30/2006: Kathy from Rochester, NY: "My husband was diagnosed with folliculitis on the scalp. The doctor said it started out with a primary infection and then a secondary infection developed after my husband repeatedly scratched his scalp with his finger nails. It cause sores to form on his scalp, his scalp gets really hot and looks very red. After the Accutane treatment for 6 months, the condition started to come back after 2 months. He using Clobex a steriod shampoo just to keep things under control but now that is not working. I read the treatment for scalp infections and will try it but since his condition is severe is there anything else you can suggest besides the tea tree oil and lavender."

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Dear Kathy: Yes, a milder form of treatment is a saturated solution of borax, with some hydrogen peroxide and vinegar. Assuming that in one cup of saturated borax solution, I would add maybe 1 teaspoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide, and 1 tablespoon of vinegar. Once added, you just stir the solution. It is a powerful antibiotic. This is my best guess. In a saturated borax solution I keep adding borax until it will no longer dissolved itself and settle on the bottom.
If this is too harsh for you then just use the borax alone. The funny thing is my own mother used a pure 100% alcohol solution (ethanol) and it does help a lot of infections. I never was lucky enough to have a chance to use antibiotics since the alternatives have worked so well. Unfortunately, pure 100% ethanol alcohol is a controlled substance as authorities are afraid of people drinking them as an alcoholic beverage. The main component of an alcoholic beverage that makes people drunk is in fact the ethanol. This is never ever to be confused with the poisonous methanol alcohol.

In case of accidental poisoning, or skin irritation my personal remedy or my antidote is unsurprisingly, vinegar. Perhaps we should rename this website, vinegar dot com, due to its ubiquitious use as a medicine! Even the father of medicine, Hippocrates used vinegar in a wide variety of cures."

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SHAMPOO RECIPE AND HAIR LOSS SOLUTION
09/29/2006: Bea : "he recommends a shampoo made of tea tree oil and lavender, what are the measurements and how is it applied? He also talks about hydrogen peroxide and acv and adding chamomile, lavender and tea tree oil and making a shampoo out of that or applying it to the scalp. I was wondering how much of everything to mix in and how to apply it. My problem is with hair loss. The dermatologist first said it was from lichen planus and had me try different things. Another dermatologist said it was normal but it's not. My scalp is very sensitive sometimes with burning tingling sensations. It has at times developed red pimple like things on my scalp. My hair has really thinned out compared to the thick hair I used to have."

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Lavender + tree oil common concentrations in shampoo is about 3-5%. You apply it just like any other shampoo.

I was wondering how much of everything to mix in and how to apply it.

Depends on your condition. You apply the lavender + tea tree liberally on your scalp overnight in the area of problem and beyond that area. It is done to kill the microbials.

My problem is with hair loss. The dermatologist first said it was from lichen planus and had me try different things

Hair loss is a straightforward matter. I have done studies after studies and people with hair loss have zinc, manganese, biotin, selenium, pantothenic acid, and inositol. A small change in diet can make a big difference. Eating only liquid egg yolk without white eggs is important. The white yolk will prevent the body from absorbing the nutrition from the yolk. Eggs are rich in biotin and lecithin, important for the hair growth on sulfur. Manganese is supplement in powder form in the form of manganese sulftate taken on an empty stomach. It is important to take at least 1,000 -2,000 mg per day of vitamin C (sodium ascorbate/ascorbic acid mix) to aid manganese absorption. Handling zinc is a bit tricky, it must be in the form of zinc acetate or zinc gluconate. You can only consume this in powder form. Zinc acetate in tablet from can be grinded and apply to head too, but it will cause dryness but you can use this to kill the microbial infection.

You will get the vitamin B5 and other Bs sources not available in most vitamin B complex sold in drug stores, such as Pangamic acid, inositol, that is found in abundance in brewer's yeast. So taking about 5-10 grams per day of brewer's yeast should handle the rare vitamin B complex not sold, plus the regular vitamin B complex you get at drug stores that have 100 mg. each of the major B1, B2, B3 (niacinamide), B6 for example, except for B12 which is best if it is 100 mcg. Taken at once per day.

Dermatologist are like sales representative for drug companies and they will always recommend the usual hydrocortisol, or some antibiotic drugs. I have had a chance to use them all and they simply don't work for me.. So you are going to go out of your way to try to use lavender and tea tree oil applied liberally on the scalp overnight for several days. It works quite well.

If you just follow my suggestion of manganese sulfate (about 50 mg/day) taken for only a couple of days (about 5-10 days) your hair will stop falling off.

If you can buy a product called Skinolen (an azelaic acid compound), it will reduce the formation of DHT (dehydrotestosterone) which causes the hair to fall off and the scalp often becomes oily. Stopping hair loss is straightforward: take the required nutrition and kill off the microbes. As for the pimple like rashes, lavender oil and tea tree oil applied liberally to the scalp should stop it. If not then apply vinegar. If STILL not working, then you may go to more drastic by applying a strong alkaline such as potassium carbonate mixed in water, a close substitute, is borax.

Your hair thickness should return with taken vitamin B complex, brewer's yeast, and the application of azelaic acid applied in thin amounts necessary to suppress the formation of DHT which causes hair thining. Of course my opinion is not DHT, but fungus or lichens, and most hair loss formulation, if you are observant enough are actually not anti DHT, but anti fungal formulations. So my guess is to do both DHT and anti fungal if you want results."

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EXACT MEASUREMENT OF TEA TREE OIL AND LAVENDER
09/29/2006: Bea : "he recommends a shampoo made of tea tree oil and lavender, what are the measurements and how is it applied? He also talks about hydrogen peroxide and acv and adding chamomile, lavender and tea tree oil and making a shampoo out of that or applying it to the scalp. I was wondering how much of everything to mix in and how to apply it. My problem is with hair loss. The dermatologist first said it was from lichen planus and had me try different things. Another dermatologist said it was normal but it's not. My scalp is very sensitive sometimes with burning tingling sensations. It has at times developed red pimple like things on my scalp. My hair has really thinned out compared to the thick hair I used to have."

Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Lavender + tree oil common concentrations in shampoo is about 3-5%. You apply it just like any other shampoo.
I was wondering how much of everything to mix in and how to apply it.

Depends on your condition. You apply the lavender + tea tree liberally on your scalp overnight in the area of problem and beyond that area. It is done to kill the microbials.

My problem is with hair loss. The dermatologist first said it was from lichen planus and had me try different things

Hair loss is a straightforward matter. I have done studies after studies and people with hair loss have zinc, manganese, biotin, selenium, pantothenic acid, and inositol. A small change in diet can make a big difference. Eating only liquid egg yolk without white eggs is important. The white yolk will prevent the body from absorbing the nutrition from the yolk. Eggs are rich in biotin and lecithin, important for the hair growth on sulfur. Manganese is supplement in powder form in the form of manganese sulftate taken on an empty stomach. It is important to take at least 1,000 -2,000 mg per day of vitamin C (sodium ascorbate/ascorbic acid mix) to aid manganese absorption. Handling zinc is a bit tricky, it must be in the form of zinc acetate or zinc gluconate. You can only consume this in powder form. Zinc acetate in tablet from can be grinded and apply to head too, but it will cause dryness but you can use this to kill the microbial infection.

You will get the vitamin B5 and other Bs sources not available in most vitamin B complex sold in drug stores, such as Pangamic acid, inositol, that is found in abundance in brewer's yeast. So taking about 5-10 grams per day of brewer's yeast should handle the rare vitamin B complex not sold, plus the regular vitamin B complex you get at drug stores that have 100 mg. each of the major B1, B2, B3 (niacinamide), B6 for example, except for B12 which is best if it is 100 mcg. Taken at once per day.

Dermatologist are like sales representative for drug companies and they will always recommend the usual hydrocortisol, or some antibiotic drugs. I have had a chance to use them all and they simply don't work for me.. So you are going to go out of your way to try to use lavender and tea tree oil applied liberally on the scalp overnight for several days. It works quite well.

If you just follow my suggestion of manganese sulfate (about 50 mg/day) taken for only a couple of days (about 5-10 days) your hair will stop falling off.

If you can buy a product called Skinolen (an azelaic acid compound), it will reduce the formation of DHT (dehydrotestosterone) which causes the hair to fall off and the scalp often becomes oily. Stopping hair loss is straightforward: take the required nutrition and kill off the microbes. As for the pimple like rashes, lavender oil and tea tree oil applied liberally to the scalp should stop it. If not then apply vinegar. If STILL not working, then you may go to more drastic by applying a strong alkaline such as potassium carbonate mixed in water, a close substitute, is borax.

Your hair thickness should return with taken vitamin B complex, brewer's yeast, and the application of azelaic acid applied in thin amounts necessary to suppress the formation of DHT which causes hair thining. Of course my opinion is not DHT, but fungus or lichens, and most hair loss formulation, if you are observant enough are actually not anti DHT, but anti fungal formulations. So my guess is to do both DHT and anti fungal if you want results."

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Folliculitis Remedies Questions