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What Is Fungal Acne? Identification and

Here’s a clear, evidence-minded guide to what is fungal acne? identification and. We’ll keep it practical, gentle, and easy to apply.

Treatment Guide

“Fungal acne” is a common name for Malassezia (pityrosporum) folliculitis , a yeast infection of the hair follicles. Unlike typical acne (which is bacterial/inflammatory), fungal acne is caused by an overgrowth of17 1. 2. 3. 4. Malassezia yeast that naturally lives on our skin .

When it flares up, it can look like acne but requires different treatment. Here’s how to spot it and tackle it: How it looks: Fungal acne usually appears as small, uniform, red bumps (papules) and sometimes tiny pustules, often itchy. These pimples tend to be monomorphic (all very similar) and concentrated on the upper chest, back, shoulders, and sometimes forehead or chin .

Importantly, you won’t see blackheads or whiteheads (comedones) which are hallmark of regular acne . If you notice clusters of tiny, itchy pimples that don’t respond to benzoyl peroxide or antibiotics, think fungal. Who’s prone: Fungal acne likes oily, sweaty conditions.

Risk factors include hot, humid weather , excessive sweating, and having naturally oily skin . Using heavy, occlusive moisturizers or wearing tight sports gear can trap moisture and feed the yeast. Antibiotic use (which disrupts normal bacteria balance) and weakened immunity (medications, stress) also can trigger it .

So if you’ve started a new oil-based skin product, or been in a heat wave, fungal acne might be the culprit. Diagnosis: To differentiate it, a dermatologist may scrape the skin or use a special swab to look for Malassezia yeast under a microscope. But in practice, if your “acne” is itchy, uniform, and resistant to typical acne meds, many doctors start treatment for fungal acne.

They may try a topical antifungal like ketoconazole and see if it clears – that quick improvement confirms the diagnosis. Topical treatments: Begin with antifungal cleansers and creams. Over-the-counter dandruff shampoos can be repurposed as body washes – for example, ketoconazole shampoo (Nizoral) or selenium sulfide shampoo applied to the skin can reduce yeast levels .

There are also creams with ketoconazole or clotrimazole. Apply these medicated washes to the affected areas a few times per week (leave on for a few minutes), then rinse. Many people find this improves fungal acne significantly.

Oral medications: If topical treatments aren’t enough, doctors often prescribe oral antifungals. Fluconazole and itraconazole are the common choices. They circulate through your body to knock out the yeast from the follicles .

For persistent or widespread cases, a short course of these pills (often a few weeks) can quickly clear the condition, often faster than topicals. Maintenance and prevention: Fungal acne can recur . Once cleared, prevent it by avoiding known triggers: wear breathable fabrics, shower after workouts to remove sweat, and switch to non- comedogenic, lighter moisturizers .

Some people use an antifungal body wash once a week to keep yeast in check. If antibiotics or steroid creams were necessary, watch out afterward and consider adding an antifungal. Also, ensure your other skincare is gentle: avoid heavy oils or butters on the back and chest where fungal acne appears.

Key Differences from Regular Acne:

• Presence of comedones: Regular acne often has blackheads/whiteheads; fungal acne does not .
• Itchiness: Fungal bumps are usually itchy, whereas bacterial acne may or may not itch.
• Location: Fungal tends to spare the face more (often upper body), while regular acne loves the face,

jawline, etc.

• Response to treatment: If your breakouts improve only slightly or not at all with typical acne products but

feel better with antifungals, fungal acne was likely the issue.18 In summary, fungal acne (Malassezia folliculitis) looks like acne but has distinctive clues: itchy, uniform bumps, often on your back/chest, and little blackheads. Treat it like a yeast infection, not bacteria. Over-the- counter antifungal shampoos (ketoconazole or selenium sulfide) and creams are first-line ; for stubborn cases, see a dermatologist for oral antifungals.

Adjust your skincare routine to avoid heavy occlusive products, and give your skin time to clear . With correct diagnosis and treatment, fungal acne usually resolves well.

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