Down Syndrome and Folliculitis

Down Syndrome and Folliculitis

What is Folliculitis?

Folliculitis is a skin issue that happens when a hair follicle gets inflamed. Folliculitis is one of the most common skin conditions in people with Down syndrome.

What Does Folliculitis Look Like?

 You may see raised, pinkish or reddish bumps around the hair follicle. These can be itchy or painful. Sometimes there is pus or peeling skin around the bumps. These bumps can appear anywhere on the body, but the buttocks and thighs are the most common.

When the bumps go away, they may leave behind dark spots or pink spots. These usually fade over time.

 Sometimes a single bump can become infected. When this happens, it gets swollen, red, and painful. This is called a “boil” or “abscess”.

It can be hard to tell the difference between folliculitis and another skin condition called hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). HS is larger, painful bumps in the armpits, buttocks, and legs. HS is also common in people with Down syndrome. Talk with your child’s doctor about monitoring for HS.