Folliculitis guide

Folliculitis treatment online in Virginia and West Virginia

This guide is for simple, superficial folliculitis (small red or pus-tipped bumps at hair follicles), not for a boil that needs draining, spreading infection, fever, or a skin infection in someone with diabetes or a weakened immune system.

Start online

Start a $59 online review for Folliculitis.

Folliculitis is inflammation of hair follicles that shows up as small red bumps or pus-tipped spots, often on the trunk, thighs, buttocks, or beard area, and frequently after shaving, sweating, friction, or hot-tub use. Superficial folliculitis is often a good online-photo condition. A boil (abscess) that may need draining, spreading warm redness (cellulitis), fever, or infection in a diabetic or immunocompromised person needs in-person care.

If treatment is appropriate, your physician can send a non-controlled prescription to your pharmacy and provide portal instructions for the next step.

Start this visit See response times

Quick facts

You must be physically located in Virginia or West Virginia at the time of request.
Starts at $59
No insurance needed
No app download
Physician review around the clock
Non-controlled prescriptions can be sent to your pharmacy when appropriate
A work or school note can be included when medically appropriate
Response times apply 24/7, every day

Common symptoms

Small red bumps or pus-tipped spots at hair follicles
Itch or mild tenderness
Often after shaving, sweating, friction, or a hot tub
On the trunk, thighs, buttocks, or beard area

May fit online care

Adults & children 4+ (with a parent or legal guardian)
Small surface bumps with a typical folliculitis look
No large tender boil, spreading redness, or fever
Able to send a clear photo

Look for another care setting

A firm, very tender lump or boil that may need draining
Spreading warm redness, red streaks, or fever
Recurrent boils or known MRSA
Diabetes or a weakened immune system with a skin infection

What to have ready

A clear, well-lit photo of the affected area
How long it has been there and any triggers
Any treatment already tried, medication allergies, and current medications

What happens next

Standard

$59

Within 6 hours

Priority

$99

Within 3 hours

Rush

$149

Within 1 hour

Start the request on the website, answer a few questions to check that this visit fits you, and choose how fast you want an answer (the response window). If your concern still fits this service, a physician reviews it and sends you a secure update after you sign in. When appropriate, non-controlled prescriptions can be sent to your pharmacy, and a basic work or school note can be included at physician discretion.

Your physician

Every visit is personally reviewed by Ankur Fadia, MD. He is board-certified, has extra training in heart care (a cardiology fellowship), and is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, a medical honor society. He is licensed in Virginia and West Virginia, and your care is never handed off to someone else.

Verify Virginia medical license Verify West Virginia medical license Verify board certification

Is folliculitis contagious?

Most everyday folliculitis does not spread from person to person. It comes from irritated hair follicles (the tiny openings in the skin that hairs grow from), from shaving, rubbing, or sweat. Some types can be linked to bacteria or a hot tub.

When does folliculitis need in-person care?

Get seen in person if there is a firm, very tender boil that may need draining, warm redness that is spreading, red streaks, fever, or boils that keep coming back, or if you have diabetes or a weak immune system.

How is it treated?

Simple folliculitis often gets better with an antibacterial wash, a topical antibiotic (an antibiotic put on the skin), and changes in skin care. Hot tub folliculitis usually clears on its own.

Other conditions we treat

Not quite what you have? Here are other conditions we treat.

Acne keloidalis nuchae Acne or breakouts Cold sores Dandruff or itchy scalp Eczema flare Eyelash growth