EPIFOLLICULITIS Meaning and
Definition
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Epifolliculitis is a medical term that refers to the inflammation or infection of a hair follicle and its associated structures. The word is derived from the combination of three components: "epi-" meaning "upon" or "above," "follicule" which means "a small hollow" or "sac," and "-itis" indicating inflammation.
Hair follicles are tiny sacs in the skin from which hair grows. They are present all over the body except for the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Epifolliculitis occurs when a hair follicle becomes inflamed or infected, typically due to bacterial, fungal, or viral agents. It is commonly characterized by symptoms such as redness, swelling, tenderness, and the formation of small pustules or boils around the affected hair follicle.
Epifolliculitis can occur anywhere on the body where hair is present, including the scalp, face, armpits, groin, and legs. It may be caused by factors such as poor hygiene, excessive sweating, skin injuries, blockage of hair follicles, or weakened immune system. Treatment options for epifolliculitis depend on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. They may include topical or oral antibiotics, antifungal medications, or antiviral drugs.
If left untreated, epifolliculitis can lead to complications such as abscess formation, scarring, and the spread of infection to surrounding areas. Therefore, it is important to seek medical attention if symptoms of epifolliculitis appear, to allow for proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for EPIFOLLICULITIS
- wpifolliculitis
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- epigolliculitis
Etymology of EPIFOLLICULITIS
The word "epifolliculitis" has a Latin and Greek etymology. The prefix "epi-" comes from Greek, meaning "on" or "upon". The word "folliculitis" comes from the Latin word "folliculus", which means "little bag" or "sack". The suffix "-itis" derives from Greek and Latin, indicating inflammation. Therefore, "epifolliculitis" refers to inflammation that affects the hair follicles on or around the surface of the skin.
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