Bacterial Folliculitis Dog, Our veterinary dermatologist in Orange Park explains the cause of this skin condition and potential treatment options. What Are The Symptoms of Folliculitis in Dogs? Bacterial folliculitis is a skin infection involving pus, inflammation, and abscesses. As the hair follicles become infected with bacteria, itchy red bumps or pustules (puss-filled pimples) on the dog’s skin may appear. Jun 18, 2025 · Folliculitis is an infection of the hair follicle. This condition commonly affects dogs but is rare in cats. When a dog scratches and bites an affected area, it can create cracks in the skin. Callus Dermatitis. What Causes Folliculitis in Dogs? Anything that irritates, damages, or infects the hair follicle can result in folliculitis in dogs. Fleas are the most common external parasite found on dogs and can cause severe skin irritation when heavily infested. Until recently, a successful outcome in cases of canine SBF was possible by administering a potentiated amoxicillin, a first generation cephalosporin or a potentiated sulfonamide. It can be a bothersome condition due to the intense itching, but with proper diagnosis and treatment, most dogs make a full recovery. Learn how to identify and treat this common skin condition in your furry friend. External Parasites. This bacterial infection may be caused by skin allergies, flea allergies, or hormonal diseases including Cushing’s disease and hypothyroidism. The normal skin barrier protects against bacterial invasion, but in most cases of folliculitis, the barrier is compromised, and infection occurs. It's usually mild and clears up within days to weeks of treatment, but it can become incurable or chronic when associated with an underlying disease process. Unfortunately, this predictable susceptibility has changed, because methicillin resistant Staphylococcus Aug 1, 2022 · Guidelines for diagnosing and treating superficial bacterial folliculitis in dogs to ensure effective management of this common skin condition. Other external parasites that cause skin irritation are ear mites, sarcoptic mange mites (scabies), ticks, and fleas. Superficial bacterial folliculitis occurs in dogs more than any other mammal and it’s usually caused by Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, a normal inhabitant of dog skin. Nov 16, 2023 · Folliculitis is the inflammation of a hair follicle typically related to a bacterial infection or bacterial overgrowth. But what does folliculitis look like in dogs? Greenstein reveals that the primary symptoms include the following: Redness Bumps Pustules Background: Superficial bacterial folliculitis (SBF) is usually caused by Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and routinely treated with systemic antimicrobial agents. It may also be referred to as superficial bacterial folliculitis or pyoderma folliculitis in dogs, especially when associated with a more widespread skin infection. Interdigital Cysts. Folliculitis is a common skin condition in dogs that is often the result of a bacterial infection. Treatment depends on the cause and may involve topical therapies, oral medications, and managing underlying health issues. 4,634 likes, 125 comments - gotitchypet on February 22, 2024: "This is a dog with bacterial folliculitis over its dorsal trunk. In the case of foliliculitis in dogs, the original insult may have been caused by ectoparasites, a fungus, an underlying endocrine Feb 1, 2014 · Superficial bacterial folliculitis (SBF) is more common in the dog than other mammalian species. It can be caused by bacteria or yeast getting into the follicle but it may also signal an underlying problem with the dog's immune system or a skin disorder. Sep 26, 2026 · Discover the signs, causes, and care for folliculitis in dogs. Skin allergies happen due to a state of over-reactivity of the dog's immune system to an allergen. What is Superficial Bacterial Folliculitis? Superficial bacterial folliculitis, also called superficial pyoderma, is a bacterial infection of hair follicles, typically caused by Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. Inflammation is the body’s response to an injury or infection of some sort; when hair follicles become infected with bacteria, the body sends inflammatory cells to attack the bacteria and heal damaged tissue. These lesions are often called hot spots, but they are not hot spots. Oct 13, 2026 · Read on to learn everything you need to know about folliculitis in dogs. 1 Treat Folliculitis and the Underlying Apr 11, 2014 · In dogs, superficial bacterial folliculitis (SBF) is the commonest form of canine pyoderma, which is in turn, the principal reason for antimicrobial use in small animal practice. 1 - 3 As we face the problem of increasing antimicrobial resistance in both human and veterinary medicine, there is a pressing need for prudent and more focused use of Jan 9, 2023 · Folliculitis is inflammation of the hair follicles. These cracks also provide the warm, dark, and moist regions that encourage bacterial growth. Oct 29, 2025 · Causes of folliculitis in dogs can include allergies, bacterial or fungal infections, viral infections, parasites, systemic diseases, other skin diseases, etc. Infection is a consequence of reduced immunity associated with alterations of the skin barrier and underlying diseases that may be difficult to diagnose and resolve; thus, SBF is frequently recurrent and repeated treatment is Mar 29, 2024 · Folliculitis can cause dogs to develop swelling, blemishes or hyperpigmentation of the skin. Allergens can be anything from food to grass to fleas. [1] If your dog has folliculitis is it important to get it diagnosed and treated. Apr 19, 2026 · Folliculitis in dogs is an inflammatory skin condition often caused by bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infections. Allergies. These lesions are also confused with a ringworm infection because of the circular pattern, but . Aug 11, 2023 · Folliculitis In Dogs: Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention This article will explore the causes of folliculitis in dogs, symptoms to watch for, how folliculitis is diagnosed and treated by veterinarians, and at-home remedies you can try. Diagnosis requires veterinary evaluation, including physical exams and tests like skin cytology, scrapes, or biopsies. Jun 15, 2021 · Folliculitis is a bacterial infection of the hair follicles, often developing secondary to allergies or parasites, causing red bumps or pustules on a dog's or cat's skin. An interdigital cyst is a painful lesion located in the interdigital webs of dogs, as described and defined by the Merck Veterinary Manual. Aug 29, 2025 · Superficial bacterial folliculitis in dogs is usually caused by staphylococcus (gram-positive bacteria) and is more common on the lower part of the body, specifically in the armpits, abdomen and groin. Hot spots are singular moist erythematous acute lesions usually on the rear dorsum or side of the face. 5ei9cs, 3zvbiw46, nam, tb8h, lwkkzu, rpgsn5a, odff, krh, ml1, 94avghu,