Fungal Acne Treatment Product Recommendations
OK, so now weve covered the basics.
Weve talked about what fungal acne is, the 4 products you need to treat it, and how to prevent it from coming back by using makeup and skincare that is formulated with fungal acne safe ingredients.
And now I have two more places I want to go with this information on treating fungal acne. First Im going to give you 4 specific products you can use to treat your fungal acne, and then Im going give you an exact skin care routine.
In total, these four products add up to $52 plus tax.
And if you dont want to spend so much on a sunscreen, there are other, more affordable options.
The reason I recommend this Paulas Choice sunscreen over the more affordable options is cheaper formulas just dont have nice formulations. I find that they leave a white cast on skin, they tend to be greasy, chalky, thick, and hard to wear under makeup.
However, this one by Paulas Choice is so lightweight, non-greasy & non-chalky, and leaves a nice finish on the skin perfect for wearing under makeup.. I love it and I think the higher price point is worth it. This is one of those cases of you get what you pay for.
Check Out Paulas Choice Products for Fungal Acne
Q When Should One See A Doctor For This Condition
A. The answer to this question is pretty simple. If you have fungal acne and have been trying to treat it with home remedies and treatments for over a month, then it is advisable to get a doctor involved. With the right kind of healing and preventive treatments, a doctor will be able to control this problem a lot easier and prevent it from aggravating and recurring if treated right from the start.
About Fungal Acne And Treatment
Fungal acne is an acne-like skin condition that can lead to small pimple breakouts on the forehead, cheeks, upper back, or upper chest.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association , it is more common in hot temperatures or when a person wears tight clothing that rubs against their skin.
Officially known as pityrosporum folliculitis, fungal acne develops when there is an overgrowth of the fungi Malassezia furfur in the hair follicles. It can sometimes persist due to misdiagnosis, as it is often mistaken for acne vulgaris.
The AAD explains that fungal acne will usually clear up without treatment. However, a person may try applying a warm compress to the affected area three or four times per day for around 1520 minutes each time.
The AAD also recommends visiting a dermatologist to rule out any other skin conditions and to confirm suspected diagnosis.
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How Do You Know If Its Fungal Acne
Fungal acne typically appears as a cluster of small, uniform bumps on your cheeks, back, or chest. These bumps are usually painless and do not have blackheads, whiteheads, or cysts.
Additionally, traditional treatments likely wont work. If you find that nothing seems to make your blemishes go away, you could have fungal acne.
Overview Of The Best Fungal Acne Treatment At Home
I hope that this guide has helped you on your journey to clear skin! Using Nizoral, as well as the other natural fungal acne treatments at home mentioned here will be your best bet for getting rid of fungal acne. Not to mention, it will do it quickly, effectively, and affordably!
Best, Mia
Citations:
This content is for informational purposes only, and what has worked for me personally based on my own opinions. I am not a professional/medical doctor, and you should always consult your doctor or dermatologist on what will work best for you. The information presented here is not legitimate, official advice from a professional. If you choose to rely on any information from this blog, you do so at your own risk. Please refer to the Blog Disclaimer tab in the menu bar to read more information and the official disclaimer statement.
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How Do You Treat Fungal Acne
Prevention is the No. 1 treatment for fungal acne. Make sure to immediately shower and change out of your sweaty workout clothes after a gym session. Look for moisture-wicking fabrics , as these will not only absorb sweat but actually release it into the air, Ilyas said. Also, if you sweat during the night, switch to bedsheets that are made of a breathable fabric.
Fungal acne can last two to three weeks. One big issue is that because its usually confused with bacterial acne, people mistakenly attempt to treat it with acne products, which can actually worsen and prolong its symptoms. Once fungal acne is diagnosed, though, Veronique said that oral and topical antifungals can bring relief very quickly.
For over-the-counter treatment, Ilyas recommended using a zinc pyrithione-based soap or shampoo as a body wash, two to three times a week, to reduce the buildup of yeast on the skin. Also, having a fan near your workout area or your bed, if you experience hot flashes at night can help cool the skin.
Ultimately, Ilyas said, your dermatologist will be able to make a true fungal acne diagnosis by looking at the whole picture: the location of the breakouts, the characteristics of each lesion and the scenario that triggered a flare.
Fungal Acne Is Folliculitis
Folliculitis causes your hair follicle to become inflamed and infected, which causes pustules on the skin. You can get folliculitis anywhere you have hair.â
Sometimes people think they have acne, but it doesnât seem to get better with treatment. This is usually a sign that you donât have acne, but a fungal infection in your hair follicle.
This is called pityrosporum folliculitis. It is caused by the Malassezia species and usually affects teenagers because of extra oil production in the skin. It typically is found on your shoulders, back, and neck and can be caused by sweating. It is often referred to as a yeast infection.
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What Is A Fungal Skin Infection
Fungi live everywhere. They can be found in plants, soil, and even on your skin. These microscopic organisms on your skin typically dont cause any problem, unless they multiply faster than normal or penetrate your skin through a cut or lesion.
Since fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, fungal skin infections can often develop in sweaty or damp areas that dont get much airflow. Some examples include the feet, groin, and folds of skin.
Often, these infections appear as a scaly rash or discoloration of the skin that is often itchy.
Some fungal skin infections are very common. Although the infection can be annoying and uncomfortable, its typically not serious.
Fungal skin infections are often spread through direct contact. This can include coming into contact with fungi on clothing or other items, or on a person or animal.
How To Treat Fungal Face Acne
Treating fungal face acne is tricky, but not impossible. In fact, do you know that one of the best remedies for it is using shampoo? Yes. That means if you get this type of acne on your scalp, you can easily get rid of it by using shampoo. In fact, dandruff shampoos are the best when it comes to treating fungal acne. However, if you get it on the face, then what? Well, experts recommend washing the affected area with the shampoo, leaving it on for a few minutes and then rinsing it. But using shampoo on the face may not always be the best option.
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Tea Tree Oil For Fungal Acne
One of the best ingredients you can invest in to treat fungal acne at home is tea tree oil. Sourced from the melaleuca alternifolia plant, this nutrient-rich oil is antiseptic and anti-fungal in nature. The compounds present in it are known to kill Malassezia infecting the skin, while being very gentle at the same time.
Will Fungal Acne Go Away On Its Own
Fungal acne will generally not go away on its own. Fungal acne is a yeast infection that occurs when there is an overgrowth of yeast on the skin, and leads to an infection in the hair follicles. Without treatment, fungal acne can take months to recede. With the proper diagnosis of fungal acne, Dr. Green can help treat this condition effectively and cure your fungal acne.
Laser treatment for acne before and after
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What Is Fungal Acne And How Can You Treat It
Did you know that up to 85% of Australians will experience acne in their lifetime? Whether your concern is blackheads, whiteheads or hormonal acne, our estheticians know how to tackle acne with clinically proven skin treatments and paramedical skincare products. One particular type of acne that is sometimes slightly more difficult to clear up is fungal acne.
How Can You Spot Fungal Acne
Fungal acne can be hard to diagnose because it often looks like your run-of-the-mill acne, Talakoub says. Look for small whiteheads that are about the size of a pinpoint, or specifically, one millimeter in circumference, she adds.
They’ll usually be on the chest, shoulders, and back, and will appear in clusters. “Often, it’s after wearing restrictive clothing, like a scuba suit, or sweating under clothes and not showering right away,” Talakoub explains.
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Fungal Acne Signs & Symptoms
âFungal acne can look like regular acne, but there are key differences,â Sue Y. Nabi, founder of vegan skin care line Orveda says. While regular acne breakouts vary in size, type, and location , âfungal acne will usually appear as red bumps or pustules of the same size, but they will be visible mainly on the chest, upper arms, and back â rarely the face,â Nabi says.
If your regular acne treatments aren’t working, that may be a sign that it’s more than just the traditionally topical sort. âBe suspicious if acne doesn’t respond to traditional therapies that focus on bacteria and hormone imbalances,â Dr. Frank says. Another key factor to consider is the placement of the acne. According to Roff, rarely will fungal acne present as one-off bumps â âIt appears more in clusters,â she confirms.
Disclaimer & My Approach To Treating Fungal Acne
For the purposes of this article, Im going to assume that you already suspect you have fungal acne, and therefore Im strictly going to discuss exactly how to treat and clear your fungal acne.
First of all I need to be clear I am not a dermatologist. Everything Im about to share is based on my own research and experience in clearing MY own fungal acne and if you take my advice, you are doing so at your own risk.
I dont think its that risky though!
Second, you can listen to what I say in this article and decide whether you agree or disagree, but I really want to stress that YOU must take responsibility for your own skin conditions, PERIOD.
Alright, thats enough of all that disclaimer stuff Heres my approach to treating and clearing fungal acne..
I want to throw it out here that oral anti-fungals are a treatment option, but I decided the rare but potential side effects, such as liver damage & heart failure were too risky for me..
Many of you wont be surprised to hear that, because if youve watched my acne story video, which is linked below, you will know that I also decided I wasnt willing to risk the side effects of Accutane.
So when I started treating my fungal acne, I did it strictly from a topical standpoint, and these are the only 4 products I needed to clear my skin..
Are you ready? Of course you are!
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How To Cure Fungal Acne At Home
There are several habits that you can change at home to reduce the likelihood of developing fungal acne. The first major factor in preventing fungal acne is improving hygiene. If you shower more regularly and remove sweaty clothes immediately after a work out, you are removing yourself from the moist environment in which yeast thrives. As a part of your shower, you can include washing your body with Nizoral dandruff shampoo which can help reduce the amount of yeast on your body. It is also helpful adjust your clothing choices and wear loose clothing when you exercise and a more breathable, cotton, face mask. There are also over-the-counter anti fungal creams that are typically used to treat other fungal conditions like athletes foot that you can use easily at home to address fungal acne. It is important to look for creams that contain ketoconazole or clotrimazole.
How Is Fungal Acne Treated
Fungal acne is often treated improperly because it looks a lot like regular acne. Many people use everyday anti-acne treatments against it, but those wont work.
To properly treat the fungal infection, you need to restore the balance between yeast and bacteria on the skin. Several treatment options can help do this.
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Symptoms Of Fungal Acne
Common signs and symptoms of fungal acne include :
- Itching
- Bumps, pimples, papules, and pustules of similar shape and size
- Worsening acne in hot weather
- Breakouts more on the chest, shoulders, and back than on the face
- Other concurrent Malassezia-related skin conditions, like seborrheic dermatitis or dandruff
- Lack of improvement or worsening with traditional acne therapy
How Fungal Acne Is Treated Vs Regular Acne
Fungal acne: change in diet , bentonite clay masks, chemical exfoliants , dandruff body wash, antifungal creams or medications, natural antifungals , more frequent showing, and looser clothes
Regular acne: change in diet , treatment of hormonal imbalances, increased water intake, bentonite clay masks, salicylic acid, topical retinoids, and oral antibiotics
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What Is The Treatment For Pityrosporum Folliculitis
The best way to get rid of pityrosporum folliculitis is with lifestyle modifications and medications.
First, if youre on topical antibiotics for acne, its best to discontinue them.
Choose sweat-wicking fabrics whenever possible. Make sure to change out of sweaty clothes quickly. Avoid heat and humidity, especially while exercising. Dont use heavy moisturizers that can clog pores.
Treatment is with topical and/or oral antifungal medications such as:
The treatment you get will depend on how severe your breakout is, what medical problems you have, and what other medications youre taking.
How Long Does Fungal Acne Last
Fungal acne typically lasts until it is treated and may require different treatment methods before it clears up completely. The treatment could take a few weeks to be effective.
Disclaimer: The above information is for general informational purposes only and is NOT a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor/primary care provider before starting or changing treatment.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Pityrosporum Folliculitis
Pityrosporum folliculitis looks a lot like acne. Like acne, you get red breakouts on the face, chest, and back. But there are some important features that distinguish pityrosporum folliculitis:
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The breakouts are rash-like tiny pustules that look the same and are the same size.
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It tends to be itchy.
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Youre less likely to see blackheads and whiteheads.
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It gets worse with antibiotics.
Medications Which Cause Fungal Infections
Uncontrolled yeast growth, or an imbalance between the amount of yeast and bacteria that occur on your skin, can also be a side effect of certain medications. Oral antibiotics, for example, are prescribed to kill bacteria in your body that are making you sick. However, antibiotics can also kill the good bacteria that is serving a positive purpose, like the bacteria on your skin. When this good bacteria is reduced, there is an imbalance between the bacteria and the yeast on your skin which can lead to Malassezia folliculitis. Using skincare products that contain high amounts of oil, such as coconut oil, can further feed the growth of fungal acne and clog pores.
Acne treatments 8 months
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How To Treat Fungal Acne On Your Face
While shampoo isn’t usually suggested for the body and face, it’s proven one of the most effective treatments for fungal acne. âIt’s been noted that dandruff shampoo actually helps because it kills the pityrosporum fungal type,â Frank says.
Roff agrees, vouching for the method as well. âIt is recommended to wash the area and leave the shampoo on the skin for two to three minutes and then rinse. This is especially great to do after a workout.â But shampoo isn’t the only successful remedies. âIt’s best to use products with sulfur since this ingredient is antibacterial,â Roff explains. âSalicylic acid is another good option for acne. If a body wash or any other products with these ingredients donât work after a few weeks, then it might be time to see a dermatologist so they can prescribe an oral medication.â
However, trying to treat fungal acne with traditional treatments may actually make it worse. âCommon acne treatments, especially antibiotics, wonât help at all and might even make your fungal acne worse because they will kill the protective healthy microbiome,” Nabi says. âTo keep the results and the skin in optimal condition, it is also recommended to use gentle and microbiome balancing skin care that has the power to boost beneficial bacteria and that does not create an unbalance in skin microbiome.â
