General instructions

Folliculitis means your hair follicles, or pores, have a bacteria called "staph aureus" in them. This bacteria can cause a red, often itchy bump or pus bump. Without careful attention to getting rid of these bumps, the infection can linger for months.

The staph bacteria is often carried in your nose, belly button, and/or around your anus. To keep the infection under control, or to get rid of it entirely, these areas need to be treated as well as the affected area.

First, if you have the infection in an area that is being shaved, use only a disposable razor, and throw it away after one use.

Second, use a washcloth only once, then put it in the laundry hamper. Same for towels. Don't share towels with anyone else. Don't use a back brush, sponge or Buf Puf. If you like the nylon net scrubbers, wash them after each use.

Your instructions

Take the following medicine orally:
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Shower daily. Use 1 teaspoon of Phisohex or Hibiclens (both can irritate eyes, so be careful) on a clean, wet washcloth and wash your body head to toe including the outside openings of your nose, anus last. If you have a problem in your scalp, wash your scalp with the cleanser on the washcloth AFTER you have used shampoo and creme rinse.

Once dry, use a topical antibiotic (bacitracin, over the counter, about $2 a tube or prescription Bactroban) inside your nose as far as your pinky nail will go in, inside your bellybutton to the same depth (don't put cotton swabs in there) and around your anus. Then put a very thin coating on your fingertips and under your fingernails.

Do this every day for 3 months.