Fungal acne is an infection in the skin and hair follicles. It most often manifests as small papules with little change in shape or size, usually accompanied by itching.
Fungal acne can cause whiteheads and skin irritation. It often confuses acne vulgaris. It is considered the most common type of acne associated with blackheads and whiteheads.
But fungal acne and acne vulgaris are two different conditions caused by two other substances. They will not respond to the same treatment. If you continue to use anti-acne therapies, it may worsen fungal acne.
It is essential to understand what kind of fungal acne is and how it develops. Read on to learn about the symptoms and signs of fungal acne and how to treat and prevent outbreaks.
Causes of fungal acne is a bit of a misnomer. Unlike acne, fungal acne is not mainly caused by oil and bacteria in the pores. However, oil and sebum production is an essential part of feeding the bacteria that cause fungal acne.
Instead, the papule-like bumps and irritated skin associated with fungal acne are caused by yeast’s overgrowth (a type of fungus).
That’s why it is called fungal acne. It is also called Corynespora folliculitis or Malassezia folliculitis. Naturally, your body can balance yeast, other fungi, and bacteria that are also part of the skin.
However, if this natural balance is disrupted, excessive growth will occur. That is when a hair follicle infection develops, and acne-like symptoms appear. Several conditions or events may disrupt this balance of bacteria and fungi, including:
Trapped moisture
Workout clothes that sweat for a long time will promote the growth of yeast. Wearing gym clothes without washing the clothes may also expose the skin to the fungus that grows in the clothes.
Medication
If you take antibiotics, you can reduce the bacteria on your skin. It may cause the fungus to overgrow.
The immune system is suppressed.
People with compromised immune systems may be more prone to fungal acne.
Diet change
Fungi and yeast feed on carbohydrates, so a balanced intake of sweets and carbohydrate-rich foods may help slow down fungi’ growth.
Wear tight clothes
Wearing tight cloth regularly will increase sweat and moisture. It can cultivate a skin environment suitable for yeast growth. Warm, humid environment: People living in hot climates may sweat more efficiently, and they may have fungal acne more frequently.
Symptoms of Fungal Acne
People who suffer from fungal acne do not know the difference and can choose regular acne skincare for treatment. These treatments are ineffective and may worsen the infection.
Here Is How To Distinguish Fungal Acne From Bacterial Acne:
- Size: Abscesses caused by fungal acne tend to be almost the same size. Bacterial acne can cause pimples of various sizes and whiteheads.
- Location: Fungal acne often appears on the arms, chest, and back. It can also be found on the face and is most common in bacterial acne.
- Itching: Fungal acne often causes itching. Bacterial acne rarely occurs.
- Clusters: Fungal acne usually appears in collections of small whiteheads. Bacterial acne gathers less and sparsely.
Fungal acne is the result of yeast growth, so that you may encounter other yeast-related diseases such as psoriasis and dandruff. It can help you determine if the outbreak is due to yeast or something else.
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How Is It Diagnosed?
If you think you have symptoms of fungal acne, you may need to see a dermatologist. To determine whether your symptoms result from fungal acne, a dermatologist will ask about the symptoms you are experiencing. It may include:
How Long After The Outbreak?
What have you used to treat the symptoms? In some cases, the provider may also want to do one of the following:
They may perform a painless and straightforward skin scraping and check the scratch under the situation’s scrape. Look under the microscope for any yeasts that cause fungal acne.
They may take skin samples or biopsies. It is a simple process done in the office. The sample will be sent to the laboratory for testing to confirm the diagnosis of fungal acne.
How Is It Treated?
Fungal acne usually does not look right because it seems a lot like regular acne. Many people use anti-acne treatments every day to treat acne, but these methods are not sufficient. To properly treat fungal infections, you need to restore the balance between yeast and skin bacteria. Several treatments can help achieve this goal.
- Take a shower more often.
If you exercise regularly or do work that can cause sweating, please try showering and changing clothes immediately after the gym or work. It can help wash away excess yeast, which may warm the humid environment in sweaty clothes Begin to grow.
- Wear looser clothes
If you wear tight clothes often, friction and low airflow will promote yeast growth on the skin. Please regularly choose loose, breathable fabrics to help your skin get proper circulation and promote the balanced development of bacteria and fungi.
- Use a body wash
Dandruff shampoos made of zinc pyrithione or selenium sulfide can be used as body washes. It is the off-label use of these shampoos but may be sufficient. In the event of an outbreak, rinse the skin with these dandruff shampoos several times a week.
You can also consider using it regularly, about once a week, to help maintain a healthy balance of yeast and bacteria on the skin. Before rinsing, let the shampoo sit on the skin for a few minutes for the best results.
Use Over-the-counter (Otc) Antifungal Treatments
A variety of OTC antifungal ointments and ointments can be used, such as drugs for athlete’s foot and jock itch.
Try Prescription Oral Antifungal Medicine
If home care cannot eliminate this condition, consider meeting with a dermatologist. Your dermatologist can prescribe oral medications, such as itraconazole or fluconazole, to target the hair follicles and stop the infection.
How Can I Prevent Fungal Acne?
Although it cannot succeed prevented wholly, these steps may help reduce the chance of re-infection:
- Use dandruff shampoo regularly: Regular rinsing washing helps maintain an average balance of yeast on the skin. After the breakout, you can reduce shampoo frequency as a shower gel to once a week.
- Permeable fabric: The breathable fabric allows airflow to circulate, thereby reducing warm and humid environments, thereby promoting the growth of fungi. If changing clothes choices helps treat fungal acne, consider wearing similar types of clothes.
- Shower after sweating: After working out or sweating for a day at work, a quick rinse can help prevent yeast growth.
- Eat a balanced diet: Fungi like yeast can thrive on sugar-containing carbohydrates, so please match fruits, vegetables, and protein in your diet to prevent overgrowth.
When Should I See A Doctor?
If you are trying to treat suspicious fungal acne at home and the outbreak persists for more than three weeks, please call a dermatologist. Prescription antifungal drugs may be more effective in eliminating infections than topical treatments.
If the symptoms reappear shortly after you think they have been relieved, consider meeting your dermatologist again. You may be able to find a treatment to help prevent recurrence and avoid possible long-term problems. You can also discuss preventive measures with your doctor.
How To Treat Skin Fungus?
Antifungal drugs can treat fungal infections. They can kill fungi directly, or they can prevent their growth and reproduction. Antifungal pills are available as OTC treatments or prescription drugs and come in many forms, including:
- Creams
- Plaster
- Powders
- Sprays
- Shampoos
If you suspect that your skin has a fungal infection, you can try OTC products to see if it helps clear the condition. Your doctor may prescribe more potent antifungal drugs to help you treat the disease in longer-lasting or more severe cases.
