Folliculitis in Dogs

The majority of this article is written by a certified veterinarian.

Defined simply as an inflammation of hair follicles, folliculitis is not just a condition affecting dogs. It can occur in other animals as well as humans — anything with hair.

Have you ever found your dog scratching an infected, red area? Or maybe you’ve found a hairless patch on your dog’s skin? These are all signs and symptoms of folliculitis in dogs, a skin condition that can leave your dog irritated and uncomfortable.

However, there’s no need to worry. Folliculitis is treatable and can furthermore be prevented by staying consistent with your dog’s hygiene.

What Is Folliculitis In Dogs?

Folliculitis in dogs is described in more common veterinary terms as bacterial folliculitis. In this condition, the hair follicles become inflamed and infected by bacteria. This is one of the most common skin infections in canines.

The bacteria that infect the hair follicle usually lie on the outer surface of the dog. So, bacterial folliculitis in dogs occurs due to a healthy hair follicle being compromised.

This could be caused by a number of factors like local trauma, systemic disease, or certain skin disorders that eventually lead to bacteria growing under the skin, thus creating a case of folliculitis.

What Does Folliculitis Look Like On Dogs?

No matter the cause, folliculitis in dogs symptoms can be easily distinguished. The main folliculitis symptoms are:

Swelling
Redness
Itching
Pustules (pimples)
Hair loss

Occasionally, other symptoms include:

Papules – reddish swelling on the skin of the dog
Hyperpigmentation – some darkened areas on the skin
Epidermal collarettes – round areas of hair loss with crusting or scaling around the borders
Superficial erosions
Draining tracts
Pain around the affected areas

You will most often need to get some tests done to confirm the disease, as redness, swelling, and pimples are fairly common symptoms that don’t always mean the dog has folliculitis.

Testing

You might need to get one or more of the following tests done for a diagnosis:

Skin scrapings for mites
Skin cytology
Fungal culture
Wood’s lamp examination for fungus (ringworm)
Bacterial culture and sensitivity
Skin biopsy and histopathology

Of course, not all tests are needed for one case. Keep in mind that one or more tests would always be necessary to confirm your dog’s diagnosis and get you the proper treatment.

What Causes Folliculitis In Dogs?

The most common cause of folliculitis in dogs is a skin disease. Skin diseases can be caused by an overactive immune system that leads to allergies and infections around the body.

When a dog scratches their skin due to these allergies and infections, the scratched area turns into tiny wounds, which can get infected by bacteria, resulting in folliculitis.

More of the most prevalent folliculitis in dogs causes are are follows:

1. Callus Dermatitis - Consistently Scratching and Biting Areas

If a dog constantly scratches or bites an area, the skin on that area can become cracked and open. This cracked skin is often moist, warm, and dark, which serves as the perfect growing place for harmful bacteria.

Calluses form in places of constant irritation. They are often not harmful on their own and sometimes even provide protection to the skin.

However, in areas around the callus, small cysts may emerge near the hair follicles. These cysts can irritate the nearby hair follicles, causing bumps, blackheads, tiny holes, and even discharge on the callus.

That’s how this dog hair follicle infection can lead to the folliculitis condition. Such calluses are usually found on feet, but may be present on the neck and chest as well.

2. External Parasites

Parasites on a dog’s skin, like fleas, can irritate the skin. This irritation further leads to infection and folliculitis.

Some other types of parasites that may be found on your dog’s skin and lead to folliculitis include ear mites, sarcoptic mange mites or scabies, and ticks.

3. Interdigital Cysts

Interdigital cysts are painful lesions present in the inner webs (paws) of a dog. They can be identified as a sore or hairless bump between a dog’s toes.

Obesity, allergies, poor feet conformations, mites, yeast infection, foreign bodies, and ingrown hair on dogs can all cause interdigital cysts.

4. Allergies

Similar to people, a dog can be allergic to anything from food to insects or even the local grass around town.

Allergic reactions of the skin usually happen when a dog’s immune system is over-reactive to a certain allergen in the environment.

Coughing, sneezing, runny eyes, itching, vomiting, and diarrhea (in some severe cases) are all allergy symptoms that can lead to folliculitis due to allergic reactions. Any dog of any breed can have allergies regardless of age and other characteristics.

Similar to people, a dog can be allergic to anything from food to insects or even the local grass around town.

Allergic reactions of the skin usually happen when a dog’s immune system is over-reactive to a certain allergen in the environment.

5. Fungal Infections

Many types of fungal infections are found in dogs. Fungus is typically found around wood and soil as it thrives in moist and wet environments.

Blastomycosis is the most common canine fungal infection; It is a yeast-like fungal infection found in male dogs.

6. Skin Fold Pyoderma

Pyoderma folliculitis in dogs occurs due to staphylococcus intermedius bacteria. It is found on the deep layers of the skin and can cause irritation and infection.

What To Do If Your Dog Has Folliculitis

Your vet will help you identify the cause of the condition and prescribe a treatment plan. Dog folliculitis treatment is usually a combination of medications and topical applications like shampoos and creams.

The treatment given to a dog for folliculitis will always depend on the exact cause of the disease.

Here’s how to treat folliculitis in dogs:

• Antimicrobial Shampoo

In cases of folliculitis, applying medication on the skin can eliminate unwanted organisms and debris from the skin, as well as soothe the irritated skin.

A dog folliculitis shampoo will be an antimicrobial shampoo applied on the skin for 10-15 minutes and then washed off.

Your vet will recommend which shampoo to use and how often, but keep in mind that treating your dog’s condition with a shampoo will almost always take several weeks.

• Topical Antibacterial Medication

Topical antibacterial medication may be prescribed if your dog’s folliculitis is limited to a small part of the skin.

In more advanced cases where the infection has spread, a topical medication may also be used in combination with a shampoo.

A topical medication may be in the form of a cream, gel, spray, or ointment. Your vet will prescribe the duration and amount of medication to be used.

You will also need to use a cone with a topical treatment to ensure that your dog doesn’t lick the medication off.

• Oral Medication

In more advanced cases of folliculitis, oral medications may become necessary for use with topical medications and shampoos.

Antibiotics are usually given for a period of three to six weeks. Most vets, however, try to avoid giving antibiotics but will suggest the best combination of treatments based on your dog’s condition.

• Natural Remedies

Never use any natural home remedies on your dog without consulting your vet first. Take your vet’s opinion on home remedies very seriously, especially if your dog has any underlying conditions.

That being said, there are many things you can find around your home that can help you ease your ailing dog’s symptoms. Always keep in mind that your dog could just be allergic to these ingredients.

One such soothing ingredient is tea. A cool tea bag can be applied to the irritated skin to ease itching. Additionally, coconut oil can be very soothing on the skin.

Witch Hazel is another anti-inflammatory product, but needs to be applied very lightly, as liberal use can cause more irritation.

How Long Does It Take For Folliculitis To Go Away?

It varies. Treatment time varies because there are several types of folliculitis. Dogs can experience this condition in different ways and have various forms of skin disease.

Some may suffer from constrained folliculitis (where it affects only one place), and some may get it all over the body at once.

The time the disease takes to go away depends on various factors: The kind of treatment your vet recommends plays a considerable role in how long it takes for the folliculitis to fade away.

• Topicals & Shampoos
When a topical medication is used in combination with a shampoo, it usually takes six to twelve weeks for the skin to become normal again.

• Oral Medications
If oral medications are also prescribed, the skin might clear up in just six weeks.

Folliculitis FAQs

Is Folliculitis In Dogs Contagious?

Not usually. The condition is not contagious in most cases and can’t be transferred from a dog to a human.

Certain underlying conditions responsible for causing folliculitis can spread to other dogs and humans, so you need to be careful. One such example is an external parasite which can jump between living beings.

Can Food Allergies Cause Folliculitis In Dogs?

Yes, food allergies can cause folliculitis in dogs.

Remember, a dog may be allergic to several things like food, dust, or grass. These allergies can cause the skin to become irritated, which can in turn lead to dog folliculitis.

Can Dogs Get Ingrown Hairs?

Yes, your dog can get ingrown hairs. This happens when the hair grows into the skin and makes small, red bumps.

Ingrown hairs are most commonly found between the toes on a dog’s paws and can be found while clipping or grooming your dog.

They are often itchy and can cause the dog to scratch, bite, and lick at their paws.

Wrapping Up

Folliculitis can be a startling condition when found on your dog, but rest assured that a vet can help soothe your dog’s skin and return them to normal health.

Follow your vet’s treatment plan, and always keep your dog clean by bathing them regularly to avoid another case of folliculitis.

Remember, your dog’s health is in your hands.