Dermatology online journalSep 26, 2019

Healing of folliculitis decalvans using medical honey

Updated Mar 9, 2026

Abstract

A patient with folliculitis decalvans achieved clearance of scalp lesions following the addition of Manuka honey to his treatment.

Folliculitis decalvans is characterized by painful, tender pustules and papules on the scalp.
Current treatments, such as systemic antibiotics, provide limited relief and the condition often recurs.
The use of medical grade honey is suggested as a safe and potentially effective additional treatment.
This case report indicates a possible relationship between Staphylococcus bacteria and the development of folliculitis decalvans.

Simplified

Folliculitis decalvans is a rare scarring alopecia that presents with indurated, tender pustules and papules on the vertex and occipital scalp. Although systemic antibiotics with activity against Staphylococcus species provide some symptomatic improvement, folliculitis decalvans remains a significant management challenge and often exhibits a relapsing-and-remitting course. In this report, we posit the potential utility of medical grade honey as a safe and cost-effective adjuvant therapy in the treatment of folliculitis decalvans. We describe a patient with painful, boggy scalp pustules who achieved clearance of his scalp lesions with the addition of Manuka honey. To our knowledge, this report is the first to demonstrate the clinical use of honey in the management of folliculitis decalvans and may lend support to the role of Staphylococcus in the pathogenesis of this disease.

Healing of folliculitis decalvans using medical honey

Abstract

You found one interesting study. We’ll send the next 7.

what lands in your inbox each week:

Recent issues from the glp-1 therapies brief

Abstract

Related papers

You found one interesting study. We’ll send the next 7.

what lands in your inbox each week:

Recent issues from the glp-1 therapies brief