What is a common treatment for bacterial folliculitis?

Bacterial folliculitis is an inflammation of the hair follicles caused by bacterial infection, commonly from Staphylococcus aureus. The primary treatment for this condition involves the use of antibiotics, which target the bacterial pathogens responsible for the infection. These antibiotics can be administered topically or orally, depending on the severity and extent of the folliculitis.

Using antibiotics helps to reduce the bacterial load in the affected area, thus alleviating inflammation, redness, and discomfort associated with the infection. It's important for patients to complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed to ensure complete eradication of the bacteria and to prevent recurrence.

Other treatment options, while they may have their uses in different contexts, do not directly address the bacterial aspect of folliculitis. Topical steroids, corticosteroids, and retinoids focus more on inflammation control or skin cell turnover, but they do not directly target the infection, which is why they are not considered first-line treatments for bacterial folliculitis.