What term is used to describe the inflammation of a hair follicle?

The term for the inflammation of a hair follicle is indeed folliculitis. This condition typically occurs when hair follicles become infected or irritated, leading to redness, swelling, and sometimes the formation of pus-filled bumps. Folliculitis can result from various factors, including bacterial infections, friction from clothing, shaving, excessive sweating, or using oily products on the skin.

While acne is related to hair follicles and involves clogged pores, it specifically refers to a condition characterized by pimples, blackheads, and cysts due to excess oil and dead skin cells rather than just the inflammation of the follicles. Psoriasis, on the other hand, is a chronic skin condition that leads to red, scaly patches and is not specific to hair follicles. An open comedone is more commonly known as a blackhead, which occurs when a hair follicle becomes clogged with oil and dead skin cells but does not indicate inflammation. Thus, folliculitis is the precise term for the inflammation of hair follicles.