Pseudofolliculitis barbae (Q98949)

Pseudofolliculitis barbae results from shaving tightly curled beard hair, leaving sharp ends which can retract under the skin and embed, or curl over and penetrate the skin. Both events will predispose to a foreign body inflammatory reaction with papule and pustule formation. Mild cases may be transient, but severe cases are destructive with scarring. Initial inflammation is sterile, but secondary infection is not uncommon. The condition is most commonly in men of Sub-Saharan African ancestry but may occur in all ethnic groups and may be seen in women from removing unwanted hair on the chin and neck.