Doxycycline is an oral antibiotic commonly used to treat moderate to severe cases of folliculitis, especially when caused by Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA. It works by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis and also reduces inflammation, making it effective for both infectious and inflammatory types of folliculitis. It’s often prescribed when topical treatments fail or when the infection is widespread. Doxycycline is generally well tolerated but may cause side effects such as gastrointestinal discomfort, photosensitivity, and rarely esophagitis. It is considered a strong first- or second-line oral option depending on the clinical scenario and bacterial resistance patterns.