Folliculitis in dogs: causes, symptoms, and treatment

Folliculitis is inflammation in a dog’s hair follicles due to infection. It can be a side effect of some systemic disorders and can be caused by yeast, bacteria, and parasites. It can be painful for your pup, so it’s in their best interest to act on it right away.

If your dog has folliculitis, their skin may show several symptoms, including swelling and redness, itching, and pustules/pimples. You might also notice hair loss, dark spots, and pain or heat when the area is touched. Folliculitis caused by yeast or bacteria may cause your dog to have a foul smell as well.

Before treating your dog’s folliculitis at home, consult your vet for diagnosis. Usually, a vet can tell if your dog has folliculitis just by looking at the affected area. However, they’ll likely also use one or more of the following tests to figure out what exactly is causing your dog’s folliculitis:

• Skin scrape. Your vet will use a scalpel to scrape the skin. Unfortunately, this requires scraping until blood seeps from the wound. The skin mites they’re looking for live deep in the hair follicle, and they have to get one in the sample to identify it.
• Fungal culture. To culture the skin, your vet may pluck a few hairs from the affected area (used to check for ringworm) or swab the skin with a culturette (a specialized swab that stabilizes the sample for transport to the lab). The samples are placed into a growth medium and watched for 7–14 days. If your vet suspects a fungal infection, they’ll likely start medication before getting the results since they take a while.
• Skin cytology. Your vet will press a piece of clear tape onto the infected area of the dog’s skin to collect a sample. This tape is then placed under a microscope, allowing the vet to look for bacteria, yeast, or other microorganisms that might be causing the infection.
• Bacterial culture. This is a more advanced and expensive test, but your vet might resort to it if they suspect resistant bacterial folliculitis. Similar to the fungal culture, your vet will get a sample from the area. A lab tests the bacteria to determine which antibiotics are effective against it in a process called an antibiotic susceptibility test or antibiotic sensitivity test. This test helps identify the most effective antibiotic to treat a specific bacterial infection.

Many types of folliculitis affect dogs, so it’s essential to get your dog to the vet for proper diagnosis and treatment. Folliculitis is often itchy and painful—your dog will appreciate a quick intervention! Let’s learn more about some common causes of folliculitis in dogs:

Demodicosis (demodectic mange)

Demodectic mange (or demodicosis) is caused by tiny mites called Demodex that live in a dog’s hair follicles. These mites are usually present in small numbers on all dogs but they can cause problems when the dog’s immune system cannot keep their numbers in check. This overgrowth of mites leads to inflammation and hair loss, primarily impacting young or immunocompromised dogs. Thankfully, the range of treatments for demodicosis has evolved over the years and many common prescription flea and tick medications will eliminate them.

Fungal Infections

Fungal infections, including conditions like yeast infection and ringworm, are commonly found in dogs living in damp or humid environments. They can invade a dog’s skin, causing irritation, redness, and inflammation. Fungal infections frequently lead to folliculitis by damaging the hair follicles and surrounding skin, resulting in discomfort and potential hair loss. Proper diagnosis and treatment from a vet are crucial to managing these infections effectively. Vets often prescribe topical and/or oral antifungal medication to treat these conditions in dogs.

Canine Acne

Canine acne is caused by clogged pores and hair follicles. Mild cases can resolve on their own, but more severe acne may require treatment. Your vet might prescribe oral or topical antibiotics to manage the condition and prevent complications. Canine acne can worsen when using plastic and ceramic bowls because they tend to hold bacteria. Most vets recommend stainless steel food/water bowls.

External Parasites

Fleas, ticks, mange mites, ear mites, and flies can cause significant irritation to your dog’s skin, potentially leading to folliculitis. In some cases, dogs may have allergic reactions to these parasites, which can worsen the irritation and speed up the development of folliculitis. Managing and treating these parasites promptly is essential to prevent worsening of the condition.

Allergies

Allergies can cause your dog’s skin to flare up, leading to infected hair follicles. If your dog is scratching or licking excessively, their folliculitis might be due to allergies. Dogs can be allergic to all sorts of things, including food, grass, dust, cats, and even other dogs! Your vet may recommend visiting a veterinary dermatologist Trusted Source This is an approved Trusted Source for betterpet. Learn more about Trusted Sources if they cannot control your dog’s allergies with commonly used medication. Allergies can also cause ear infections in dogs.

Hypothyroidism

Hormonal imbalances can weaken the immune system, leading to itchiness and skin irritation. Canine hypothyroidism Trusted Source This is an approved Trusted Source for betterpet. Learn more about Trusted Sources is a condition that produces too little thyroid hormone. It can also lead to weight gain. In dogs prone to skin infections, the extra weight may prevent them from properly cleaning themselves and lead to increased chances of infection.

Hot Spots

Usually caused by excessive scratching or licking when a dog is itchy or in pain, hot spots can lead to hair and skin breakdown, trapping bacteria and causing folliculitis. Many dogs that live in hot, humid areas suffer from hot spots. They can also be worsened by allergies.

Cushing’s Disease

Cushing’s disease is a hormonal disorder that weakens the immune system. The skin can have a hard time fighting off infection, making your pup more susceptible to folliculitis.

Are some dogs more prone to folliculitis?

Dogs of all ages can get folliculitis. However, some have a higher risk. Dogs with food or environmental allergies are more prone to recurring infections in their hair follicles. Breeds with more wrinkles and folds on their skin, like American Bulldogs and Shar-Peis, are also more likely to develop skin infections and folliculitis.

Some dogs may be more prone to folliculitis, but you can do a couple of things at home to help prevent it.

• Stay up-to-date on flea/tick prevention. Treat your dog for fleas, ticks, mites, and anything that could potentially infect their skin.
• Add an omega-3 fatty supplement to your dog’s diet. Our vet recommends the omega-3 supplement from Nordic Naturals because it’s made with high-quality fish oil. We also love Natural Dog Company’s Salmon Oil because it’s so easy to mix into your pup’s food!
• Practice good doggie hygiene. Groom your dog regularly to keep their skin clean. Here are our favorite dog shampoos that won’t irritate your dog’s skin.
• Management of underlying health issues. If your dog has other conditions that affect their skin, keeping up with vet visits and recommended treatments should be a top priority!
• When in doubt, go to the vet. As with most problems your dog could encounter, going to the vet is your best option. They can help you determine what is causing the concern and how to fix it.