If you struggle with breakouts that flare after workouts, facials, or afternoons in the summer heat, you might not be dealing with classic bacterial acne. It’s essential that you treat the right condition, since products that soothe whiteheads and eliminate blackheads can make fungal acne substantially worse. This guide will walk you through identifying and treating fungal acne so you can restore your skin!
What is fungal acne?
Despite the name, fungal acne isn’t technically acne at all. It’s actually a type of folliculitis.
What causes fungal acne?
The medical name for fungal acne is Malassezia (or Pityrosporum) folliculitis, and it’s caused by an overgrowth of yeast. This fungus thrives in warm, oily environments and can be triggered by many stimuli, including:
- Heat, humidity, and sweat
- Topical occlusives
- Antibiotic use
- Tight, heat-trapping fabrics
- Weakened moisture barrier
What does fungal acne look like?
Fungal acne typically manifests as an itchy rash of tiny, uniform red bumps on the forehead, hairline, scalp, chest, back, or shoulders. However, it doesn’t cause blackheads, whiteheads, or cysts like bacterial acne.
When trying to determine the underlying cause of your acne, remember that fungal blemishes won’t appear as a single pimple. Instead, these rash-like breakouts cause major inflammation, leading to itchy, irritated skin.
Can you have fungal acne with regular acne?
Unfortunately, it’s totally possible to have both bacterial and fungal acne at the same time. To make matters worse, traditional acne treatments like antibiotics, benzoyl peroxide, and heavy moisturizers can turbocharge fungal acne. That’s why this combination can be particularly hard to treat.
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How to treat fungal acne and breakouts
If you’re struggling with both fungal and bacterial acne breakouts, you’ll definitely need to see your dermatologist for a personalized treatment plan.
However, we can offer a few tips to try if your condition is caused by a fungal infection alone. Here are a few options to treat fungal acne:
Topical treatments
Medicated creams, lotions, and cleansers are the first line of defense against fungal acne. Options include over-the-counter treatments, such as:
- Ketoconazole 1% shampoo
- Clotrimazole cream
- Miconazole cream
Other products, like sulfur, azelaic acid, and niacinamide, don’t treat the underlying fungal infection, but can support skin health during treatment.
Lifestyle and prevention
During the treatment process, you’ll need to work with your skin to fight the fungi. Stripping off sweaty clothes and showering immediately after exercise will minimize the time fungal spores can relax in their favorite environment. While you’re at it, stick with natural, breathable fabrics like cotton and bamboo, and avoid tight clothing, hats, and headbands during flare-ups.
Keep your skincare routine simple, cut back on the cosmetics, and always use clean makeup brushes to apply products. It’s also essential to replace your pillowcase and towels a few times each week. Finally, avoid waxing the area until it’s blemish-free.
Medical and prescription options
When OTC treatments fail, a prescription medication may be necessary. Your doctor may prescribe high-strength topical antifungals, such as ketoconazole, ciclopirox, or econazole, or an oral antifungal like fluconazole.
Your doctor can also verify that your condition is, in fact, caused by Malassezia and not another fungus like Candida. This is crucial, since not all antifungals can treat both types.
Related: What Are the Best Facial Treatments for Acne?
What to avoid with fungal acne
When battling fungal acne, certain habits and skincare products can make or break your progress. Here are a few things you’ll need to swear off until you eliminate fungal acne for good:
Traditional acne products
Your microbiome consists of beneficial bacteria and other microorganisms that keep harmful germs at bay. Using oral or topical antibiotics, potent salicylic acid, or peroxide disrupts this balance, allowing fungal spores to spread unchecked. Most of these products are also harsh on the moisture barrier, which creates an even greater challenge for compromised skin.
Heavy oils and butters
Malassezia fungus feeds on certain types of lipids, so coating your face and body in heavy occlusives only feeds the beast. Take a break from ingredients like fatty acids, esters, coconut oil, cocoa butter, and shea butter. Instead, stick to lightweight skincare products like gels and lotions to nourish your skin without intensifying your fungal acne.
Picking and popping
You already know that popping acne pimples is a big no-no in the world of skin care. It turns out that the rule also applies to fungal breakouts. Just as with the bacterial form, picking at these spots can spread harmful microorganisms to other areas and increase the risk of lasting skin damage and hyperpigmentation.
But that’s not the only issue. Fungal acne is an infection of the hair follicles, not the pores, so you can’t really pop the bumps. All this does is injure your skin. Stick to professional extractions during facials, instead.
Related: Is Hyaluronic Acid Good for Acne?
Explore your skincare options at The Wellness Club!
Fungal acne is frustrating, but The Wellness Club can help you eliminate harmful microorganisms and reclaim your skin. Book a consultation with our team today!