SYCOSIS BARBAE Treatment

This form of chronic folliculitis of the beard region has become much less common since the days of antibiotics. The causative organism, usually staphylo-coccus aureus, lurks in the depths of the follicles and is not readily accessible to local applications. Local preparations should therefore be massaged well into the skin, night and morning. Experience has shown that it is best to prescribe a succession of different antibacterial applications rather than to continue with the same one : thus, chlortetracycline ointment could be followed by quinolor compound ointment, neomycin ointment, iodochlorhydroxyquinoline ointment, etc. A small amount should also be applied inside the nostrils. If such treatment gives rise to discomfort it can be combined with local corticosteroid therapy. The shaving tackle should be cleaned carefully and if possible sterilized after every use ; and when shaving the strokes should be made only with the grain of the hair.