Chasing the fungal acne dragon: everything you need to know about this skin impostor.
The reason you can’t seem to get rid of your breakouts might be that you’re not dealing with “regular acne”. It could be a fungal infection.
Keep reading to find out more.
So what is fungal acne or Malassezia folliculitis
Malassezia folliculitis or fungal acne is a skin condition caused by an overgrowth of yeast that leads to plugged hair follicles and inflamed pimples or pustules. [1] This condition is also known as Pityrosporum folliculitis, fungal folliculitis, or yeast acne.
Fungal acne is not caused by dirt or bacteria, so traditional acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide won’t work. Although fungal acne is easy to treat when diagnosed properly, it often comes back. [2]
If you have this skin disease, our skincare ingredient checker and product database can help you avoid problematic products and certain types of advanced ingredient combinations that can trigger or exacerbate fungal acne. It can also help you find the best products for fungal acne on face too.
What does fungal acne look like?
In contrast to regular acne, fungal acne generally appears in the form of uniform pimples that are typically the same size and shape. Additionally, fungal acne doesn’t include any blackheads.
Moreover, these pimples are commonly found in places prone to bacterial acne, such as the back, arms, and chest, as well as the face. [3]
Most people grow frustrated when treating fungal acne because it commonly gets misdiagnosed as bacterial acne. This is due to the location of where both types of acne form.
Even if you use the “best products” to your knowledge with diligence, your skin may never clear up without proper diagnosis and treatment. [4 , 5]
What are the symptoms of fungal acne?
Fungal acne usually appears as clusters of small, red bumps on the skin. These tiny pimples are often itchy and can cause discomfort or pain, and they can sometimes ooze pus. In severe cases, fungal acne can lead to hair loss.
What are the causes of fungal acne? Why do some people get acne from fungal acne?
There are many potential causes of fungal acne, including humid weather, sweating, tight clothing, and prolonged skin irritation. However, the most common cause is an overgrowth of a type of fungus known as Malassezia.
This fungus is found on the skin of humans and animals, but it only becomes a problem when it grows out of control. When this happens, it can lead to fungal acne breakouts.
Fungal acne looks a lot like regular acne but as previously stated it’s actually caused by an imbalance of yeast on the skin. This imbalance can be due to a number of factors, including:
- Use of antibiotics
- A weakened immune system
- Hormonal imbalances
- Humid or sweaty conditions
The yeast that causes fungal acne feeds off of sebum (oil), or even the ingredients in some skincare products you use. [6 , 7] Because of this, we’ve developed our fungal acne ingredient checker to assist you in avoiding ingredients that might contribute to or exacerbate the problem.
What are the causes of fungal acne? Why do some people get fungal acne?
There are many potential causes of fungal acne, including humid weather, sweating, tight clothing, and prolonged skin irritation. However, the most common cause is an overgrowth of a type of fungus known as Malassezia.
This fungus is found on the skin of humans and animals, but it only becomes a problem when it grows out of control. When this happens, it can lead to fungal acne breakouts.
Fungal acne looks a lot like regular acne but as previously stated it’s actually caused by an imbalance of yeast on the skin. This imbalance can be due to a number of factors, including:
- Use of antibiotics
- A weakened immune system
- Hormonal imbalances
- Humid or sweaty conditions
The yeast that causes fungal acne feeds off of sebum (oil), or even the ingredients in some skincare products you use. [8 , 9]
Because of this, we’ve developed our fungal acne ingredient checker to assist you in avoiding ingredients that might contribute to or exacerbate the problem.
There are some ingredients that can lead to fungal acne, and our skincare ingredient checker is optimized to find them. The presence of these components increases the likelihood of malassezia (pityrosporum) folliculitis.
Polysorbate 20, Cetearyl Alcohol, Palmitic Acid, and Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil are all common examples of substances that can cause or exacerbate acne due to fungi. [10] If you have fungal acne, our ingredient analyzer can tell you which substances or products to avoid.
How is fungal acne diagnosed?
Fungal acne is typically diagnosed by a skin biopsy. This involves taking a small sample of skin and examining it under a microscope. A biopsy can help to rule out other conditions, such as allergies, that may cause similar symptoms.
Your dermatologist or physician must, however, use a comedone extractor to remove a pustule’s contents and then magnify the sample to get a far more precise diagnosis. [11]
How is fungal acne treated?
Fungal acne is treated with antifungal medications, both topical and oral. These drugs work to kill the overgrowth of yeast that is causing your fungal acne breakouts. [12]
Topical antifungals are available as creams, gels, or lotions and are applied directly to the skin. Common topical antifungals used to treat fungal acne include clotrimazole, ketoconazole, and miconazole.
Oral antifungals are taken by mouth in the form of pills or capsules. These medications work by killing the overgrowth of yeast from the inside out. Common oral antifungals used to treat fungal acne include fluconazole and itraconazole.
In most cases, fungal acne can be cleared up with a course of antifungal medication. However, the condition can sometimes come back. To prevent this from happening, it’s important to practice good skin care habits and avoid triggers that can lead to fungal overgrowth.
How can I prevent fungal acne?
There are a few things you can do to help prevent fungal acne:
- Keep your skin clean by washing with a mild cleanser twice a day
- Avoid using oils and heavy creams on your face, as these can make fungal acne worse
- Practice good hygiene habits
- Wearing loose, breathable clothing
- Avoiding sweaty or humid conditions
- Try using an over-the-counter antifungal shampoo or cream on your skin as needed
- Don’t share towels, makeup, or other personal items with someone who has fungal acne
- Wash your towels, bedding, and clothing regularly to prevent the potential spread of fungal acne
- If your fungal acne is severe, you may need a prescription antifungal medication from your doctor
By following these tips, you can help to keep your skin healthy and clear of fungal acne breakouts.
When to see a dermatologist
There are a few things you can do to help prevent fungal acne:
- Keep your skin clean by washing with a mild cleanser twice a day
- Avoid using oils and heavy creams on your face, as these can make fungal acne worse
- Practice good hygiene habits
- Wearing loose, breathable clothing
- Avoiding sweaty or humid conditions
- Try using an over-the-counter antifungal shampoo or cream on your skin as needed
- Don’t share towels, makeup, or other personal items with someone who has fungal acne
- Wash your towels, bedding, and clothing regularly to prevent the potential spread of fungal acne
- If your fungal acne is severe, you may need a prescription antifungal medication from your doctor
By following these tips, you can help to keep your skin healthy and clear of fungal acne breakouts.
Conclusion
Fungal acne is a common skin condition that can be treated with over-the-counter or prescription medications.
Be sure to see a dermatologist if your fungal acne is not improving with self-care or if you have other symptoms like redness, swelling, or pain. With treatment, fungal acne usually clears up within several weeks.
In some cases, it may come back after treatment. In other cases, oral antifungal medications may be necessary. Be sure to practice good hygiene habits and avoid sharing personal items to help prevent the spread of fungal acne.
- Rubenstein, Richard M., and Sarah A. Malerich. “Malassezia (Pityrosporum) Folliculitis – PMC.” PubMed Central (PMC), www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3970831. Accessed 11 Oct. 2022.
- “DEFINE_ME.” DEFINE_ME, www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(14)00985-2/fulltext. Accessed 11 Oct. 2022.
- Malgotra, Vikas, and Harjap Singh. “Malassezia (Pityrosporum) Folliculitis Masquerading as Recalcitrant Acne – PMC.” PubMed Central (PMC), 24 Feb. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7996476.
- Ayers, Katherine, et al. “Pityrosporum Folliculitis.” Pityrosporum Folliculitis: Diagnosis and Management in 6 Female Adolescents With Acne Vulgaris | Acne | JAMA Pediatrics | JAMA Network, 1 Jan. 2005, jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/485898.
- Ayers, Katherine, et al. “Pityrosporum Folliculitis.” Pityrosporum Folliculitis: Diagnosis and Management in 6 Female Adolescents With Acne Vulgaris | Acne | JAMA Pediatrics | JAMA Network, 1 Jan. 2005, jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/485898.
- Malgotra, Vikas, and Harjap Singh. “Malassezia (Pityrosporum) Folliculitis Masquerading as Recalcitrant Acne – PMC.” PubMed Central (PMC), 24 Feb. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7996476.
- Rubenstein, Richard M., and Sarah A. Malerich. “Malassezia (Pityrosporum) Folliculitis – PMC.” PubMed Central (PMC), www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3970831. Accessed 11 Oct. 2022.
- Malgotra, Vikas, and Harjap Singh. “Malassezia (Pityrosporum) Folliculitis Masquerading as Recalcitrant Acne – PMC.” PubMed Central (PMC), 24 Feb. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7996476.
- Rubenstein, Richard M., and Sarah A. Malerich. “Malassezia (Pityrosporum) Folliculitis – PMC.” PubMed Central (PMC), www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3970831. Accessed 11 Oct. 2022.
- Wilde, Peter F., and Patrick S. Stewart. “A Study of the Fatty Acid Metabolism of the Yeast Pityrosporum Ovale – PMC.” PubMed Central (PMC), www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1198797. Accessed 12 Oct. 2022.
- Rubenstein, Richard M., and Sarah A. Malerich. “Malassezia (Pityrosporum) Folliculitis – PMC.” PubMed Central (PMC), www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3970831.
- Rubenstein, Richard M., and Sarah A. Malerich. “Malassezia (Pityrosporum) Folliculitis – PMC.” PubMed Central (PMC), www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3970831.
