We know several factors can cause acne, including hormones, diet, and bacteria. But there’s one type of acne that can be particularly troublesome: fungal acne.
Luckily, fungal acne isn’t as bad as it sounds. There are clear conditions that cause it, making treatment and prevention easier compared to other types of breakouts. Read on to learn more about this variety of acne and how you can deal with it.
What Is Fungal Acne?
Fungal acne, also known as Pityrosporum folliculitis or Malassezia folliculitis, is an infection of hair follicles caused by an overgrowth of yeast. It typically manifests as small, uniform pimples accompanied by itching.
Fungal acne is often mistaken for acne vulgaris, a bacterial-induced form of acne. Fungal acne breakouts can be particularly frustrating because conventional acne treatments are ineffective against them. In fact, using traditional acne treatments on fungal acne can exacerbate the condition.
The yeast responsible for fungal acne is always present on your skin. Usually, your body maintains a balance between the yeast, other fungi, and bacteria that reside on your skin. However, if this natural equilibrium is disrupted, an overgrowth of yeast can occur. This overgrowth leads to an infection in the hair follicles, resulting in acne-like symptoms.
Fungal acne can be caused by medications (such as antibiotics), a change in diet, or a compromised immune system. Warm, humid environments can also be a major cause. Fungal acne is not contagious, infectious, or an indicator of poor hygiene.
Symptoms of Fungal Acne
Fungal acne can be stubborn and persist for extended periods. Since it resembles bacterial acne, individuals with fungal acne, unaware of the distinction, may resort to conventional acne skincare options. However, these treatments are ineffective and can exacerbate the infection. Here’s how to know the difference between fungal acne and bacterial acne:
Size: Fungal acne bumps are usually of similar size, while bacterial acne can cause pimples of different sizes.
Location: Fungal acne frequently appears on the arms, chest, and back. It can also occur on the face, where bacterial acne is more prevalent.
Itching: Fungal acne frequently causes itching, while bacterial acne rarely does.
Clusters: Fungal acne typically manifests as small whiteheads that form in clusters. In contrast, bacterial acne is less clustered and appears more sparsely distributed.
Since fungal acne is caused by yeast growth, you might also experience other yeast-related conditions like psoriasis and dandruff. This can help you figure out whether your breakouts are due to yeast or another cause.
How to Treat and Prevent Fungal Acne
Preventing fungal acne involves maintaining dry, clean skin. This can be achieved by showering immediately after sweating, wearing loose, breathable clothing, and using fungal acne-safe, non-comedogenic skincare products.
Keep Skin Clean: Be sure to wash your skin promptly after sweating or exercising to remove sweat and oils.
Check Ingredients: Be mindful of skincare ingredients. Avoid oils (like coconut and olive), fermented ingredients, and fatty acids, as they can promote fungal acne.
Manage Humidity: Use dehumidifiers in living areas and avoid environments that cause excessive sweating.
Wear Breathable Fabrics: Opt for loose-fitting clothing made from natural fibers like cotton to enable skin to breathe and minimize moisture accumulation.
Limit Sugar and Carbs: A high-sugar diet can feed yeast, so maintaining a balanced diet may help reduce flare-ups.
As for treatment, topical remedies containing ketoconazole, a synthetic antifungal medication, can effectively treat most mild cases of fungal acne. Pyrithione zinc and selenium sulfide can also help manage fungal acne infections. These ingredients are commonly found in over-the-counter body washes, creams, and shampoos. However, if you require a stronger formulation (any product containing over 1% of these ingredients), you may need a prescription.
Washing your face with dandruff shampoo is a common dermatologist-recommended hack specifically for treating fungal acne. However, it’s important to ensure you’re applying this method correctly. Please be aware that this method is not suitable for individuals with dry or sensitive skin and should not replace your regular facial cleanser entirely.
Perform a Patch Test: Apply dandruff shampoo to a small, discreet area of your skin (like your arm) to check for a reaction.
Limit Skin Contact: Gently lather a small amount of shampoo and leave it on your face for 1 to 5 minutes. Use it only 2 to 3 times per week, not every day.
Moisturize: Immediately follow up with a gentle moisturizer, as dandruff shampoos contain harsh detergents that can strip the skin of its natural moisture.
If washing your face with dandruff shampoo doesn’t sound like your thing, look for specialized facial cleansers that contain zinc pyrithione, such as the Noble Formula Zinc Bar or Vanicream Z-Bar.
Another widely available topical treatment for fungal acne is L-Mandelic acid. This ingredient exfoliates, brightens, and has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Serums containing L-Mandelic acid are especially effective in treating fungal acne (look for the Ordinary’s Mandelic Acid 10% + HA), while facial cleansers with this ingredient can also speed up the healing process.