We asked dermatologists to share the best treatment and prevention tips.
Don’t worry; it’s not as gross as it sounds.
What Is Fungal Acne?
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You’re most likely to see fungal acne breakouts on the chest, upper arms, and back.
It’s rarer to see fungal acne on your face.
But here’s where the hard part comes in.
Because fungal acne isn’t actually acne, no acne medication will make it go away.
This makes it even more important to differentiate between the two types of acne.
Fungal Acne vs.
Regular Acne
While fungal acne can look like your regular run-of-the-mill blemish, there are some notable giveaways.
And perhaps most noticeably, fungal outbreaks are usually very itchy."
As with regular acne, a lot of things can cause it to happen, King says.
Some of the most common causes of fungal acne include:
How Is Fungal Acne Diagnosed?
You may be able to diagnose fungal acne yourself, but to be sure, visit your dermatologist.
They’ll diagnose you after a physical examination and medical history review.
In some cases, they’ll send out the sample for lab testing to identify the presence of yeast.
They may even do a fungal culture or biopsy for more conclusive results.
Diagnosis is important since fungal acne requires antifungal treatment, not standard acne medications.
Both Zeichner and King suggest Dove Dermacare Scalp Dryness and Itch Relief Anti-Dandruff Shampoo for sensitive skin types.
Anti-fungal Cream
Other similar products containing active ingredients might also do the trick.
“Don’t use topical or systemic antibiotics.
This can deplete bacteria on the skin and allow yeast to grow unchecked.”
Although there’s no surefire way to prevent it, there are methods to keep breakouts at bay.
Avoid heavymoisturizersand oils that can make fungal acne worse by creating a moist environment that allows yeast to grow.
(Opt for lighter, oil-free, and non-comedogenic body moisturizers that absorb quickly into the skin.)
Wear loose-fitting clothing to let your skin breathe, and shower immediately after working out.
Finally, some suggest cutting back onsugarsin your diet, which feeds the growth of yeast in the body.
“Fungal Diseases and HIV/AIDs.”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Adler, J. et al.
“The Interplay Between Sugar and Yeast Infections.“Cureus.
“Yeast Infection.”
Edwards, L. “Fungal Folliculitis.”
Obstetric and Gynecologic Dermatology (Third Edition).”
Arabi, I. et al.
“Antifungal and Antibacterial Activities of Apple Vinegar of Different Cultivars.
“International Journal of Microbiology.
