How to Treat Folliculitis in Dogs at Home

Based on peer reviewed veterinary research · For educational purposes only · Updated October 2026 · 8 min read

What Is Folliculitis in Dogs?

Folliculitis in dogs is inflammation of the hair follicles, most often caused by a superficial bacterial infection. Veterinarians commonly call this superficial bacterial folliculitis, and it is the most frequent form of pyoderma seen in dogs (Hillier et al., 2014).

The usual cause is Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, a bacterium that lives on normal canine skin. It only causes problems when something weakens the skin barrier, such as allergies, parasites, hormonal disease, or excess moisture. Less often, folliculitis is caused by dermatophytes (ringworm fungi) or Demodex mites, which is why the cause should be confirmed if the problem does not respond to home care (Gortel, 2013).

For a broader overview of causes, see our article on bacterial and fungal folliculitis in dogs.

What Causes Folliculitis in Dogs?

Bacterial folliculitis is almost always secondary to another problem. The bacteria are opportunists that take advantage of skin that is inflamed, damp or damaged (Bajwa, 2016).

Common underlying triggers include:
Environmental allergies (atopic dermatitis) and food allergies, which are among the most frequent drivers of recurrent infection.
Flea allergy dermatitis and other parasites, including Demodex mites.
Endocrine disease such as hypothyroidism or Cushing's syndrome.
Skin folds, moisture, and frequent swimming or bathing without proper drying.
Friction or clipper irritation after grooming.

Short-coated breeds such as Bulldogs, Boxers, Dobermans and Pit Bull type dogs often show folliculitis as small raised tufts of hair or patchy hair loss along the back, which owners sometimes mistake for hives.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Folliculitis?

The classic signs of folliculitis are small red bumps (papules) and pustules centered on hair follicles, followed by crusts, circular scaly rings called epidermal collarettes, and patchy hair loss (Hillier et al., 2014). Lesions often appear on the belly, armpits, groin and back. Itching ranges from mild to intense.

The table below helps separate folliculitis from look-alike problems.

How to Treat Folliculitis in Dogs at Home

Home treatment is appropriate for mild, superficial folliculitis in a dog that is otherwise eating, active and comfortable. The goal is to reduce bacteria on the skin, keep the area clean and dry, and stop the dog from making it worse by licking or scratching.

1. Confirm it looks superficial. Small bumps, pustules and crusts are suitable for home care. Deep sores, swelling, draining tracts, fever or lethargy need a veterinarian first.
2. Clip long hair around affected patches if needed. Use blunt scissors or clippers carefully so air and topical products can reach the skin.
3. Bathe with a chlorhexidine shampoo two to three times weekly. Lather down to the skin, focusing on the affected areas, and leave it on for about 10 minutes before rinsing thoroughly (Mueller et al., 2012).
4. Dry the coat completely. Towel dry and use a cool dryer setting if your dog tolerates it. Damp skin favors bacterial overgrowth.
5. Spot treat between baths. Apply a chlorhexidine spray to small localized patches as the label directs.
6. Prevent licking and scratching. Use a cone or soft recovery collar if your dog is traumatizing the skin.
7. Reassess after one to two weeks. With consistent use, mild superficial folliculitis typically starts to improve within one to two weeks. If lesions are spreading, not improving, or return soon after you stop, see your veterinarian.

Veterinary Treatment Options for Folliculitis

Chlorhexidine is a broad-spectrum antiseptic that disrupts bacterial cell membranes, causing cell contents to leak and the bacteria to die. It binds to the outer layer of the skin, which gives it some residual activity after rinsing, and it is active against Staphylococcus in laboratory testing (Lloyd and Lamport, 1999). International guidelines support topical antiseptic therapy for superficial bacterial folliculitis, alone for mild or localized cases and alongside oral antibiotics for more widespread infection (Hillier et al., 2014).

Vetified Chlorhexidine Spray contains chlorhexidine and is designed for localized bacterial skin problems, scabs and small patches between baths. For widespread folliculitis, Vetified Chlorhexidine Shampoo delivers the same antiseptic across the whole body. Both are FDA-registered OTC veterinary drugs listed on DailyMed. Always follow the label directions.

Your veterinarian may also perform skin cytology to confirm bacteria, a skin scraping to rule out Demodex, or a bacterial culture if the infection is recurrent or has failed antibiotics. When oral antibiotics are needed, guidelines recommend continuing them until about one week after lesions resolve (Hillier et al., 2014). Rising meticillin resistance is one reason topical therapy now plays a larger role (Morris et al., 2017). Read more in our guide on how to treat a bacterial skin infection on a dog at home, our overview of dog shampoo for folliculitis, and our page on bacterial skin infections in dogs.

How Can You Prevent Folliculitis From Coming Back?

Recurrent folliculitis is a signal that something is still weakening the skin. The most effective prevention is finding and controlling the underlying trigger, most often allergies (Bajwa, 2016).

Practical steps that help:
Keep year-round flea control up to date.
Work with your veterinarian on allergy management if your dog itches seasonally or year-round.
Dry your dog thoroughly after swimming, bathing or wet walks, paying attention to the belly and armpits.
Consider a maintenance antiseptic bath once weekly, or as your veterinarian advises, for dogs with a history of recurrent infection.
Check the belly and groin weekly so you can spot treat early bumps before they spread.

If your dog needs treatment for folliculitis more than two or three times a year, ask your veterinarian about allergy testing or screening for hormonal disease.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can folliculitis in dogs go away on its own?

Very mild folliculitis can settle if the trigger is removed, but most cases need antiseptic bathing or spot treatment to clear. Without addressing the underlying cause, it often returns.

How long does folliculitis take to heal in dogs?

With consistent use of an antiseptic shampoo and spray, mild superficial folliculitis typically starts to improve within one to two weeks. Deeper or recurrent infections can take several weeks and usually need veterinary care.

Is folliculitis in dogs contagious to people or other pets?

Bacterial folliculitis is generally not considered contagious, because the bacteria involved already live on normal dog skin. Folliculitis caused by ringworm fungi can spread, so have unusual hair loss checked by a veterinarian.

Can I use a chlorhexidine spray on my dog's folliculitis?

Yes, a chlorhexidine spray is commonly used on small, localized patches of superficial folliculitis between baths. Follow the label directions and see your veterinarian if the lesions spread or do not improve.

Sources

1. Hillier A, Lloyd DH, Weese JS, et al. Guidelines for the diagnosis and antimicrobial therapy of canine superficial bacterial folliculitis (Antimicrobial Guidelines Working Group of the International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases). Veterinary Dermatology. 2014;25(3):163-e43. DOI
2. Mueller RS, Bergvall K, Bensignor E, Bond R. A review of topical therapy for skin infections with bacteria and yeast. Veterinary Dermatology. 2012;23(4):330-e62. DOI
3. Gortel K. Recognizing pyoderma: more difficult than it may seem. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice. 2013;43(1):1-18. DOI
4. Bajwa J. Canine superficial pyoderma and therapeutic considerations. Canadian Veterinary Journal. 2016;57(2):204-206. PubMed
5. Lloyd DH, Lamport AI. Activity of chlorhexidine shampoos in vitro against Staphylococcus intermedius, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Malassezia pachydermatis. Veterinary Record. 1999;144(19):536-537. DOI
6. Morris DO, Loeffler A, Davis MF, et al. Recommendations for approaches to meticillin resistant staphylococcal infections of small animals: diagnosis, therapeutic considerations and preventative measures. Veterinary Dermatology. 2017;28(3):304 to e69. DOI

Related Reading

• Folliculitis in Dogs: Bacterial & Fungal Causes
• Dog Shampoo for Folliculitis and Bacterial Skin Infections
• Best OTC Treatment for Dog Pyoderma (2026)
• Chlorhexidine Shampoo for Dogs: Complete Veterinary Guide

E. Maddens

Founder of Vetified. Develops topical antifungal and antimicrobial formulations for companion animals. Vetified products are listed on DailyMed and manufactured through FDA-registered facilities in the United States.

Research basis: All Vetified content references peer reviewed research published in journals including Veterinary Dermatology, JAVMA, and Journal of Small Animal Practice.