Q I thought it was acne, but the same spot keeps developing tiny grain-like pustules. How is folliculitis different from acne?
A Acne forms when pores are clogged with sebum and dead skin cells, while folliculitis is caused by bacterial or fungal infection of the follicle. If itchy or stinging, pus-filled pustules keep recurring centered around hairs, it may be folliculitis, which calls for a different approach.
Detailed Answer
Acne and folliculitis can look alike because both appear as pustules, but their causes differ. Acne begins with pores clogged by excess sebum and follicular keratinization, while folliculitis is an infectious inflammation in which bacteria or fungi invade the follicle. Folliculitis often presents as pustules centered around hairs, with itching or stinging, so distinguishing whether it is bacterial or fungal is key to treatment.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
At Dongjedang, we pay attention to the fact that pustules recur in the same spot. Rather than a one-off infection, repeated recurrence suggests that damp-heat and heat-toxin have accumulated in the body, leaving the follicles prone to inflammation. We therefore address not only the surface microbes but also the underlying internal environment behind them.
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