Fungal Acne — Definition, Questions Asked and Answer

Acne produced by fungus is characterized by tiny, itchy pimples and is caused by an infection in the hair follicles. 

This infection is formed when the yeast that is normally found on our bodies prevails over the bacteria that is normally found on our skin.

But what really is it? Get to know about it as you scroll on. 

An overgrowth of yeast in the hair follicle is the root cause of fungal acne, which is also referred to as Pityrosporum folliculitis or Malassezia folliculitis. Because of this, the surface of the skin becomes irritated, itchy, and broken out in pimples. Because of the discomfort it causes and the aesthetic problems it might cause, the disease can be highly upsetting.

How do I know if I have fungal acne?

Fungal acne can look a lot like acne caused by bacteria. So, sometimes it’s hard to understand. But there are some hints.

In fungal acne, the spots are red bumps (papules) or pustules (white heads) of a similar size, usually between 1 to 2 mm. They occur in waves and they can be pretty itchy – more itchy than usual acne spots. Fungal acne can happen anywhere on the body, but it happens most often on the forehead, temples and frontal hairline. Also sometimes seen in the upper chest and mid back. 

In normal acne, on the other hand, there are closed comedones, which look like skin-colored bumps, open comedones, which look like blackheads, nodules, cysts, and pustules (spots with a pus filled top). Spots can also be different sizes.

How did I get these fungal acne?

You might have fungal acne for a few different reasons. Here are those reasons and what you can do about them.

1. Heat and humidity:

hotter climates are linked to fungal acne. This is because the yeast that causes fungal acne grows best in warm, sweaty, and moist places.

2. Sweat:

To avoid fungal acne caused by sweat, wear loose clothes made of natural materials and avoid spandex or really tight clothes. Change your clothes often after exercise or when you sweat a lot.

3. Talking to other people:
Acne caused by fungi might spread (after all, yeast is known for spreading). If you’ve been in close contact with someone who has fungal acne, it could be the reason you have it too.

4. Pandemic masks:

Covid-19 masks are also a moist environment that can make you more likely to get fungal acne, which is especially common right now.

Masks create a moist environment that yeast loves. If you have to wear a mask for a long time, you can avoid this by getting a new one or buying masks made of a material that lets air through, like cotton.

Will fungal acne go away on its own?

Generally, fungal acne does not resolve on its own. Fungal acne is a yeast infection caused by an overabundance of yeast on the skin, which leads to an infection of the hair follicles. Without treatment, fungal acne can linger for months. With an accurate diagnosis of fungal acne, a dermatologist will really help you in curing this problem.

What is the best treatment for fungal acne?

In order to effectively treat your fungal acne, you must first obtain an accurate diagnosis. If you have fungal acne, you cannot cure it using the medications you have in your medicine cabinet. Go to a skin doctor, and get your suspicions confirmed by a licensed specialist.

Here’s a number of at-home modifications that may be made to lessen the probability of getting fungal acne. Improving cleanliness is the first key component in preventing fungal acne. By showering more frequently and removing sweaty clothing soon after exercise, you eliminate the wet environment in which yeast grows.

If lifestyle modifications do not alleviate your moderate fungal acne, you should consider an over-the-counter topical therapy with anti-fungal properties.

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