Does folliculitis look like herpes?

Folliculitis lesions look and feel almost exactly like herpes lesions, complete with a crust-like surface during the healing process, making them difficult to tell apart at first glance.

What is the difference between herpes and folliculitis?

Folliculitis is in the hairy part of the skin while herpes is in areas with thin skin in places transitioning between mucosa and skin. There’s a distinct difference between the thick yellow pus of folliculitis and the thin clear fluid of herpes. This difference is more obvious when the lesion is squeezed.

What does herpes look like in groin area?

Herpes sores appear as small, red bumps or white blisters. They can pop up in any area of your genitals. If one of these blisters ruptures, you might notice a painful ulcer forming in its place. It may ooze fluid or cause you pain when urinating.

Can herpes give you folliculitis?

Viral folliculitis is a rare disease usually caused by herpes simplex, herpes zoster and molluscum contagiosum in immune-compromised patients.

Can herpes look like a boil?

It may be difficult to see sores that develop inside the vagina. Genital sores vary in size and number, but as with oral herpes, they look like pimples or blisters filled with fluid. They will burst and develop a yellowy crust as they heal.

Can you get folliculitis on your pubic area?

Vaginal folliculitis, or genital folliculitis, is very common and can occur on and off throughout your lifetime. Folliculitis looks like acne in the genital region. The main difference is that acne is a clogged or infected pore, while a folliculitis bump is actually an infected hair follicle.

How is herpes folliculitis treated?

Antibacterial over-the-counter medications containing benzoyl peroxide are often used to treat folliculitis, but resistant cases may need antibiotic pills to clear the skin. Good skin hygiene and proper shaving techniques have been shown to prevent folliculitis.