Fungal Acne Treatment: A Simple Guide

Acne and pimples, no matter where they appear or why they appear, we always want to get rid of them fast. But sometimes, you may notice the acne treatment that worked just right the last time isn’t working anymore. 

This could be because, this time, you are experiencing fungal acne, a different type of acne. Fungal acne treatment is quite different from the one that we use for regular acne. Read this blog to discover why the treatment differs and how to treat the skin condition.

What is Fungal Acne?

Fungal acne, which also goes by the names of Malassezia folliculitis and Pityrosporum folliculitis, causes red, itchy, small bumps to appear on skin that looks quite similar to regular acne.

These bumps usually appear in the form of clusters that look like a rash, but when they start to grow, they may look like whiteheads or small pus-filled bumps. However, the important thing about this acne is that it’s not just acne it’s actually an infection.

An infection in the hair follicles caused by a fungus living on the skin, Malassezia yeast that clogs the pores and leads to redness, itching, and inflammation. 

Causes of Fungal Acne

Malassezia yeast is a type of fungus, or you can say a group of microorganisms that live on our skin along with other bacteria that are essential for keeping our skin healthy. Normally, the bacteria and yeast balance out each other to maintain a healthy microbiome of the skin.

However, sometimes, when there is an overproduction of yeast on the skin, it overpowers the bacteria and causes different skin issues such as seborrheic dermatitis, which is also known as cradle cap in babies, and dandruff.

When this yeast reaches the hair follicles, it may clog them and lead to an infection, which ultimately causes the appearance of red, itchy bumps on the skin. This yeast is the primary factor that causes the condition. However, there are some other factors that can make the condition worse, such as:

• Hot, humid climate
• Leaving skin damp
• Sweating
• Wearing tight clothes
• Rubbing the skin
• Using a hot tub or pool
• Shaving or waxing

These factors may vary from one person to another. 

Fungal Acne Symptoms

Fungal acne can appear anywhere on the body because it infects the hair follicles, and we have them almost everywhere except for the hand palms and foot soles. However, it is more common in: 

• Chin
• Forehead
• Chest
• Side of nose
• Shoulders
• Upper back
• Arms 

We know that it causes pimples that look similar to regular acne, but here are a few other symptoms that may help you identify what does fungal acne look like. 

• Itchy skin
• Burning sensation
• Clusters of small bumps
• The bumps are of the same size and shape
• The breakouts are usually red or skin-colored. 
• Pus-filled bumps that look like whiteheads

In people with lighter skin tones, these bumps may be surrounded by a redness, while for people with darker skin tones, this redness may appear as brown or purple. 

Fungal Acne vs Regular Acne

If you have ever confused fungal acne for regular acne also known as acne vulgaris, then you are not alone. Most of us, except for dermatologists and those who have already experienced it, will confuse both conditions. 

Even though both of them look very similar, there are a few differences that can help you identify if you have fungal acne or regular acne.

	Fungal Acne	Regular Acne
Causes	Infection caused by Malassezia yeast	Clogging of pores with dirt, sebum, and dead skin cells
Location	Face, chest, shoulders, back, and arms	Mostly on the face
Appearance	Clusters of small bumps	It can take different forms: blackheads, whiteheads, papules, and pustules
Itchiness	Yes	No
Treatment	Antifungal cleansers and medications	Salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and retinoids

Does Fungal Acne Go Away Without Treatment?

Fungal acne, as we have discussed before, is not just any acne but is an infection, and infection, that needs proper treatment and care. So, fungal acne will not go away without any treatment but will only get worse. 

If proper treatment is not provided, fungal acne can lead to other complications such as dark spots, acne scars, and damage to the skin, and it could lead to the spread of infection in other parts of the body as well. 

Is Fungal Acne Contagious?

Yes, fungal acne is contagious. Even though it is not as contagious as COVID-19, measles, or influenza, it is to some extent. People who have a damaged skin barrier or are experiencing conditions like eczema and atopic dermatitis are more prone to getting infected, but only through bodily contact. 

Diagnosing Fungal Acne

If your acne is not responding well to regular acne treatment, then the first thing that you should do is consult a doctor or dermatologist. Who can properly diagnose your condition and provide you with the right treatment plan. 

For diagnosing fungal acne, doctors use various methods to confirm if it is fungal acne or something else, such as

• Physical examination
• Skin scraping
• Use wood lamp
• Skin biopsy 

A sample of skin or cells on the skin is taken in these procedures, and the presence of Malassezia yeast is checked on them with the help of a microscope or special black light. 

Fungal Acne Treatment

The treatment for fungal acne mostly includes the use of anti-fungal products and medications, which should only be used as advised by the doctor. So in order to get the best treatment for fungal acne you should consult a dermatologist first. 

Here are some of the most commonly prescribed treatments by the doctors. 

Over the Counter Fungal Acne Treatment

The first thing a doctor will ask you to do is follow a proper fungal acne skincare routine that includes the use of a fungal acne cleanser to keep the skin clean. 

• The doctor may prescribe you to cleanse your skin at least once daily with a fungal acne shampoo. 
• Use it to clean the skin, especially after using public pools, after a workout, and after sweating.
• Apply the shampoo to the skin and leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing it off to get the best results. 
• Rinse the skin thoroughly to prevent any buildup of residue on the skin. 

Some doctors prescribe the use of anti-dandruff shampoo to cleanse the skin.

This is because dandruff shampoos contain pyrithione zinc as an active ingredient that helps reduce symptoms associated with dandruff and is known to soothe fungal acne. But these shampoos may also contain harsh chemicals that can irritate the skin, so it’s important that you choose products that are gentle on the skin.

If you are searching for fungal acne safe products, try Happy Cappy Medicated Shampoo and Body Wash, which can also be used as a face wash. It is free from skin-irritating chemicals like fragrances, parabens, and sulfates and contains zinc pyrithione as an active ingredient that helps stop itching, and irritation on the scalp and skin associated with dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. Happy Cappy can soothe fungal acne. 

Prescription Medication

The doctor may also prescribe the use of certain prescription medications along with OTC products. Especially if the condition is not getting better with the use of a shampoo for fungal acne. 

Anti-fungal creams

These anti-fungal creams, also known as topical ointments, can be applied to the skin twice daily to reduce the appearance of fungal acne. These ointments and creams usually contain one of the following ingredients with anti-fungal properties:

• Ketoconazole
• Econazole 
• Miconazole
• Clotrimazole

Oral Medications 

Oral medications that contain either fluconazole or itraconazole can be advised by the doctor to help soothe the symptoms of fungal acne. These prescription medications contain anti-fungal properties that help reduce the itching, inflammation, and infection associated with fungal acne. 

Phototherapy

In severe cases of fungal acne, the doctor may prescribe phototherapy. In this a photosensitizing medication is applied to the skin. Then, a special type of UV light is run over the skin.  

When this light interacts with the medicine, it kills the Malassezia yeast on the skin and helps make the condition better. 

Fungal Acne Treatment at Home

Natural and home remedies are something that all of us try doing for different skin conditions to make them better. Fungal acne DIY treatments are also something very common. These usually include the use of 

• Honey
• Tea tree oil
• Apple cider vinegar
• Caprylic acid oil
• Lactobacillus
• Sulphur

But the truth about these home remedies for fungal acne is that they may only make the condition worse. These natural remedies can also cause allergic reactions in some people and lead to other complications like skin scarring. 

So it is best if you stay away from these and only follow the treatment plan provided to you by a doctor. 

Avoid Sweating

Sweat and a hot, damp environment is something that Malassezia yeast loves. It grows much faster in those conditions. And the growth of the yeast will only make your infection worse. So, in order to treat fungal acne fast, you should try keeping your skin dry.

If, due to any reason, such as a workout or hot weather, you experience sweating, take a shower. While showering, the best thing to do is wash the skin with a fungal acne shampoo and face wash. 

How to Prevent Fungal Acne?

Fungal acne treatment may require the intervention of a doctor, but preventing it from getting worse is easy, and you can do it by making a few lifestyle changes.

• Keeping the skin clean with a fungal acne safe cleanser daily.
• Taking a shower and changing immediately after a workout or sweating.
• Avoid shaving, plucking, or waxing until the condition gets better.
• Wearing loose-fitting clothes.
• Avoid the use or limit your time in a hot tub or pool.
• Eat a healthy, balanced diet.
• Avoid sharing personal items like towels, pillows, or hairbrushes.
• Keep your house and surroundings clean.
• Avoid using public pools.
• Try keeping your skin dry and moisturized. 

Making a few changes in your daily routine will help you get rid of fungal acne fast. 

Conclusion

Fungal acne is a skin condition caused by the overgrowth of Malassezia yeast on the skin. The yeast infects the hair follicles and leads to the appearance of itchy, red bumps on the skin that look similar to regular acne. 

Even though this condition looks similar to acne vulgaris, the treatment for it is very different. For an accurate treatment plan, it is essential that you consult a doctor first. A physician may prescribe the use of OTC fungal acne cleanser to regularly cleanse the skin and fungal acne medications that include the use of topical creams and oral anti-fungal medications. 

If you are searching for skin-friendly over-the-counter products, shop Happy Cappy Products for common skin conditions like dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, cradle cap, and fungal acne. 

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