Fungal acne is not known to be acne (the blockage of the pores by sebum and bacteria and is found with an inflammation). Fungal acne is known to be a fungal infection of the hair follicle by Malassezia (which is used to be known as pityrosporum), which might look like regular acne (which is also an acne vulgaris). While often some are mistaken for regular acne, the cause is just different at times.
Sebaceous or Oil glands
Sebaceous or “oil” glands might just naturally keep on the skin-protected areas against friction and it might make the skin more impervious to moisture. Acne might also occur when your pores (Hair follicles) are just blocked with some of the dead skin cells, and sebum(oil) and then it can be pustules and/or might have some sort of inflammation in it.
In contrast, fungal acne (fungal folliculitis) is known to be an overgrowth of yeast within the hair follicles. When there is yeast in the sebaceous glands, the hair follicles might be well inflamed, which leads to “fungal acne.”
Sebaceous, or oil glands, which shall naturally keep the skin moist and act as the first line of defense well against bacteria. Fungal acne might occur as a response to an overgrowth of yeast within the hair follicles. When there is known to be an imbalance of yeast in the sebaceous glands, the hair follicles might be well inflamed, which shall all lead to fungal acne.
What Does Fungal Acne Look Like?
Some sort of fungal acne might be well often confused with a typical whitehead or some sort of acne papule. The lesions might be well grouped with some sort of white bumps or pustules might either be included as red bumps (papules) of very similar size from 1 to 2mm.
Fungal acne (which is also known as Malassezia folliculitis) can occur anywhere on the body but most commonly it might appear on the forehead, hairline, temples, upper chest, and mid-back.
The bumps might get worse in several cases, including the below things:
- Very greasy skin
- Sweat
- Over-moisturizing, making use of too much sunblock, make-up the blocks on the pores
- Being in a humid climate can enhance the likelihood of developing fungal acne, which might be about the yeast thriving in this type of environment.
- Tight-fitting clothes with sweat on it, blocking the pores, and enhance the fungus growth
- Using antibiotics that shall kill bacteria but sometimes it can result in fungus growing
How Is Fungal Acne On The Face Treated?
Oral Antifungal Medication
Oral antifungal medication might work well by either directly killing or preventing the growth of some fungal cells. Azoles are known to be the most commonly used ones as they might further interfere with enzymes, which can help in creating the fungal cell membrane. This type of medication is to be consumed by mouth as prescribed by the doctor. The benefit of oral medication is that it is fast and be most effective.
Prescription Of Topical Anti-Fungal Creams
If over-the-counter products might not enhance the fungal acne, the doctor might recommend a more potent topical medication. Ketoconazole 2% is commonly prescribed that is well applied twice a day for 2 to 3 weeks for helping to reduce the overgrowth of yeast on the skin that might get rid of the fungal acne a.k.a fungal folliculitis. However, whatever one might be causing the fungal acne could make it come back again.
Diet Adjustments
An antifungal diet might involve a reduction in the consumption of foods that shall help in promoting yeast growth, which shall be about refined sugar and white flour. While it is not necessary to eliminate these food groups from the diet, which shall be about finding a balance with other whole foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, and lean meats which might make a difference to the skin.
Antifungal Shampoo Or Some Body Wash
Antifungal shampoo and body wash are known for helping to slow down the growth of the fungi which shall eventually lead to some sort of infection. Most of the products can be ordered online over-the-counter (Selsun blue), but some might also need a prescription from a doctor. They might be well applied to the affected area and rinsed off soon or post a few minutes. While these products might be super effective, they might lead to side effects in a case, you use them too often like skin irritation. These might also be used for the prevention of fungal acne from coming back.
Oil-Free Moisturizer
Oil-free moisturizers are known to be great products as they might provide moisture to the skin without introducing more oil which might be about getting trapped by the hair follicles. These might be well purchased over-the-counter and can also be applied as part of the daily skincare routine.
What’s The Takeaway?
Fungal acne-like condition is not acne and it is well actually a fungal infection or folliculitis which might be well caused by some extra yeast growing in the hair follicle. While it might further be initially for being mistaken for having some sort of typical blemish, acne might ideally be looked at by a doctor that can help in determining the appropriate solution for the condition.
Thankfully, fungal acne is just like any other treatable condition and will likely go away within a short time and with some proper treatment.
You might not need to feel ashamed or embarrassed in case you might be able to suddenly notice some of these irritating small bumps. Sometimes they might all be simply caused by living life, and the best thing one can do is simply about consulting a doctor.