Fungal acne, or Malassezia folliculitis, is an infection in hair follicles that's often confused with common acne. It causes clusters of small, itchy, red bumps on your skin. Antifungal medications can treat the infection, and there are ways to prevent and relieve the rash-like symptoms.
How do I know if I have fungal acne? The most common symptom that you'll notice is itchiness of the bumps. Fungal acne is itchy but never painful, as typical acne can be when a blemish becomes inflamed. Fungal acne can be persistent, worsen with sweating, and flare in hot and humid temperatures.
Fungal acne is caused by the buildup and infection of hair follicles by the yeast Malassezia on your skin. Though bacteria, yeast, fungus live on our skin normally, typically our body does a good job of keeping the levels in balance.
Fungal acne should go away after about two to three weeks, however, if symptoms continue for more than a month, you may need a stronger prescription.
Fungal acne and hormonal acne are often confused with each other because both types of acne start in the hair follicles. Fungal acne occurs when excess yeast develops, whereas hormonal acne is caused by excess sebum. Fungal acne can result in whiteheads, itchiness and often becomes red, irritated and inflamed.
One of the best ingredients you can invest in to treat fungal acne at home is tea tree oil. Sourced from the melaleuca alternifolia plant, this nutrient-rich oil is antiseptic and anti-fungal in nature.
Fungal acne: white bumps with red skin surrounding them; bumps are uniform in size and usually occur in clusters. Regular acne: varying appearances and sizes with any combination of whiteheads, blackheads, skin-colored bumps or cysts depending on the person; blemishes are more spaced out.
– Fatty acids and oils
As fungi feed on oils and fatty acids, it is best to avoid these elements altogether. Some oil exceptions that are are safe for fungal acne include squalene, mineral oil and capric triglycerides.
Retinoids, azelaic acid, and adapalene all help open up the pores and balance bacterial and fungal growth. Benzoyl peroxide is an antiseptic that kills everything. In either case, it takes a few weeks for clinical improvement to occur.
So products spiked with linoleic, oleic, stearic, palmitic, myristic, and lauric acids could exasperate fungal acne. Many of these are naturally found in coconut oil, so you can also add that to the list of ingredients to avoid.
How is fungal acne treated? Healthcare providers typically treat Malassezia folliculitis by prescribing oral or topical antifungal medications. The most effective treatments are oral antifungal medications, such as: Fluconazole.
Most fungal acne will respond well to ketoconazole 2% which is a broad spectrum anti-fungal agent which can be applied topically and is used as a first line defense for fungal acne. For more severe conditions an oral anti-fungal of itraconazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole and terbinafine may be introduced short term.
Step 3: Fungal Acne safe moisturizers
Since the sulfur mask and Nizerol will dry out the skin, it is important you are using Fungal Acne-approved moisturizers. This step in your fungal acne treatment should become part of your daily skincare routine.
Because fungal acne is caused by clogged follicles, it's also vital to consistently exfoliate in order to keep pores clear and free of debris.
Will fungal acne go away on its own? Fungal acne will generally not go away on its own. Fungal acne is a yeast infection that occurs when there is an overgrowth of yeast on the skin, and leads to an infection in the hair follicles. Without treatment, fungal acne can take months to recede.
One of the best ingredients you can invest in to treat fungal acne at home is tea tree oil. Sourced from the melaleuca alternifolia plant, this nutrient-rich oil is antiseptic and anti-fungal in nature.
– Fatty acids and oils
As fungi feed on oils and fatty acids, it is best to avoid these elements altogether. Some oil exceptions that are are safe for fungal acne include squalene, mineral oil and capric triglycerides.
Most fungal acne will respond well to ketoconazole 2% which is a broad spectrum anti-fungal agent which can be applied topically and is used as a first line defense for fungal acne. For more severe conditions an oral anti-fungal of itraconazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole and terbinafine may be introduced short term.
Retinoids, azelaic acid, and adapalene all help open up the pores and balance bacterial and fungal growth. Benzoyl peroxide is an antiseptic that kills everything. In either case, it takes a few weeks for clinical improvement to occur.