Is It Folliculitis or Herpes? How to Tell the Difference — And What to Do Next

If You’re Worried About a Painful, Unfamiliar Bump — You’re Not Alone

You found this page because something doesn’t feel right.

You noticed a red, irritated, or painful bump — and now you’re asking the question nobody ever wants to ask:

Is this herpes? Or could it be something else, like folliculitis?

This guide will help you understand what could be going on, what matters when telling these conditions apart — and most importantly, what you can do next to feel better fast.

Why Are We Sharing This Information?

At Well Revolution, we’ve helped thousands of people who come to us with exactly this concern:

“I have a bump that I think might be herpes… but I’m not sure. And I need to know ASAP.”

We’re not here to scare you — we’re here to inform you and guide you. Because:

• The faster you know what it is, the sooner you can start feeling better
• Delaying care can mean worse symptoms, unnecessary stress, or even accidental transmission
• Many people suffer for weeks with something we can help resolve in minutes

So we’re here to guide you through this — and if you want to speak to a licensed provider, we’ve made it as simple and fast as possible.

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Folliculitis vs. Herpes: How to Tell What You’re Dealing With

1. What Is Folliculitis?

Folliculitis is an inflammation of hair follicles, often caused by:

• Shaving or waxing
• Tight clothing/friction
• Bacterial or fungal infection

It often looks like:

• Small red bumps with whiteheads or pus
• Appears in areas with hair growth (groin, buttocks, thighs)
• Can be itchy, mildly painful, or just irritated
• May spread slightly but usually stays localized

👉 Good news: It’s not contagious in most cases and usually clears with proper care.

2. What Is Herpes (HSV-1 or HSV-2)?

Herpes Simplex Virus is a sexually transmitted infection that shows up as:

• Painful blisters or open sores
• Usually clustered and recurring in the same area
• Often preceded by tingling or burning
• May cause flu-like symptoms during the first outbreak
• Can be spread even without visible sores

3. Key Differences to Pay Attention To

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Why Guessing Isn’t a Great Strategy

Here’s the problem: Both conditions can look similar, especially early on.

And when it’s on a sensitive or intimate area, the stakes feel even higher:

• What if it spreads?
• What if I unknowingly give it to someone else?
• What if I’m too late to treat it?

👉 The truth is: Only a trained provider can reliably distinguish between the two.

👉 But you don’t need to sit in a waiting room or wait days for answers…

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You Don’t Have to Guess — Here’s What Treatment Usually Looks Like

Once we help you figure out what you’re dealing with, treatment is straightforward — and often fast-acting.

If It’s Folliculitis

The goal is to reduce inflammation, prevent further infection, and stop it from coming back.

Most cases respond well to:

• Topical Benzoyl Peroxide Cleanser 10% (prescription grade) – kills bacteria and clears clogged follicles
• Topical Clindamycin (prescription) – targets deeper infection, reduces inflammation
• Simple lifestyle changes, such as:
• Avoiding shaving or waxing during flare-ups
• Switching to loose-fitting clothing
• Keeping the area clean and dry

👉 We combine these into a treatment plan that clears symptoms quickly and helps prevent future breakouts.

If It’s Herpes (HSV-1 or HSV-2)

Treatment depends on whether it’s your first outbreak, a recurrence, or you’re looking for long-term suppression.

We typically stick to one trusted antiviral for consistency — either Acyclovir or Valacyclovir (Valtrex) both prescriptions 

• First outbreak: Best taken within 24 hours. A 7–10 day course can reduce pain, speed up healing, and limit severity
• Recurring outbreak: A quick 1–5 day course can stop flare-ups early
• Ongoing suppression: Daily low-dose treatment can reduce how often outbreaks occur and lower transmission risk

👉 We’ll guide you to the right option based on your symptoms — and we can get you started within minutes.

What Happens If You Don’t Treat It?

• Folliculitis can worsen or cause scarring, especially with repeat flare-ups
• Herpes can last longer, spread more easily, and become more painful without antivirals
• You risk accidental transmission to partners
• And you’ll still carry that lingering stress and anxiety about what it is

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How to Get Relief — In 15 Minutes or Less

We’ve made it as simple as possible to go from anxiety to answers.

1. Free Specialist Consultation

Chat with a Well Revolution specialist to describe your symptoms and get expert support—no appointment needed.

2. Get a Fast Diagnosis

Your case is reviewed by a licensed provider, typically within 15 minutes during business hours.

3. Get Your Treatment

If appropriate, you’ll receive a diagnosis and prescription for a targeted treatment plan. Your medication is sent to a Well Revolution pharmacy partner for discreet home delivery or pickup.

• $50 for one-time prescription care
• $29/month for unlimited care and outbreak management

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From “What Is This?” to “It’s Handled” — Fast

The moment you know what it is — you regain control.

• No more second-guessing
• No more Googling symptoms
• No more panic about transmission or outbreaks

You go from stressed and uncertain to informed, treated, and moving on with your life.