Fungal acne, also known as Malassezia or Pityrosporum folliculitis, is an infection of the skin& hair follicles caused by the fungus Malassezia yeast. This article will discuss my experience using home remedies to cure fungal acne It manifests as small, uniform pimples that are often itchy and can include whiteheads and skin irritation. I am a pharmacist, I had Fungal acne at a very early stage of my life, I used medication but the results were not satisfactory. Then I decided to look for some home remedies to cure fungal acne

Unlike acne vulgaris, caused by blocked hair follicles due to bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells, fungal acne results from a fungal infection.

                                   

Home Remedies to Cure Fungal Acne:

Fungal acne is frequently mistaken for acne vulgaris, the common type of acne associated with black heads and whiteheads. However, the two conditions are distinct and require different treatments. Using typical anti-acne treatments on fungal acne can exacerbate the condition. Fungal acne causes clusters of small, red, itchy bumps (papules) and can sometimes develop into whiteheads or pustules filled with white or yellow pus.

The key difference between fungal acne and regular acne lies in their causes and symptoms. Fungal acne is itchy, while acne vulgaris typically is not. It`s crucial to accurately identify which type of acne is present to ensure the appropriate treatment is used. Both types of acne can occur simultaneously, making proper diagnosis even more important.

What Causes Fungal Acne?

Fungal acne is often confused with acne vulgaris. It is not caused by oil and bacteria like typical acne but by an overgrowth of yeast on the skin. This yeast is naturally present, but an imbalance can lead to infection and acne-like symptoms.

Factors That Can Disrupt This Balance And Promote Yeast Growth Include:

• Trapped moisture from sweaty or unwashed workout clothes.·
• Antibiotic use, which reduces skin bacteria.·
• Suppressed immune system.·
• High carbohydrate diet.·
• Wearing tight, nonbreathable clothing.·
• Living in warm, humid environments.·

Fungal acne is more common in adolescents and young adult males with oily skin. It also occurs more frequently in people with weakened immune systems, other fungal infections, excessive sweating, frequent skin contact, and those using oil-based products, antibiotics, or spending time in hot tubs.

Symptoms:

Fungal acne causes sudden breakouts of small, similarly sized pimples in clusters, often resembling a rash. These bumps may have red borders and appear primarily on the chin, chest, forehead, neck, upper arms, shoulders, and upper back. Symptoms include burning, itching, and pain.

Key Differences Between Fungal Acne And Bacterial Acne Include:

Size: Fungal acne bumps are uniform in size, while bacterial acne varies.·

Location: Fungal acne commonly affects the upper arms, shoulder, chest, back, and occasionally the face; bacterial acne is mainly on the face.·

Itching: Fungal acne is often itchy; bacterial acne rarely is.·

Clusters: Fungal acne appears in clusters; bacterial acne is more spread out.·

Fungal acne results from yeast growth and can be associated with other yeast--related conditions like psoriasis and dandruff. Misidentifying it as bacterial acne and using typical acne treatments can worsen the infection.

How to acknowledge fungal acne:

It`s about in tiny size with small whiteheads bunch filled with white pus, which could be misunderstood as swollen oily acne

How Is It Diagnosed:

• Asking about your symptoms, duration, and treatments tried.
• Examining your skin.
• Taking a skin sample to examine under a microscope.·
• Use a Wood’s lamp to check for fluorescent yellow or green areas.·
• If you suspect fungal acne, seeing a dermatologist is recommended. They will ask about your breakout duration, treatments used, and symptoms. They may perform a skin scraping or biopsy, both simple and painless, to confirm the diagnosis by testing for yeast

To Prevent Fungal Acne In A Generalised Way:

• Shower and change clothes right after exercising.·
• Be careful when shaving, plucking, or waxing.·
• Use clean and well-maintained hot tubs.·
• Wash and dry your swimsuit between uses.·
• Wear loose clothing, especially in hot, humid weather or when exercising.·
• If you keep getting fungal acne, your doctor may suggest using anti fungal medications for a long time.
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Lighten The Symptoms:

• Compress the affected region with warm compression everyday
• Avoid shaving and donning clothes that are too fit to prevent causing harm to hair follicles.
• Regular cleaning of your daily uses such as towels, shaving blades, razors, bed linen. Also, be careful when doing waxing or threading as this could cause further damage to skin or affected areas.
• Even after following the above-mentioned strategies, Fungal acne could be reversed back if one is not taking care of his/her hygiene.

Best Home Remedies Treating Fungal Acne At Home:

Remedies for Fungal acne	Uses and Application
Garlic	Make Garlic paste and mix with olive oil, gently apply for 60-120 mins. Do not apply just raw garlic as this may cause irritation.
Turmeric	Use of Turmeric Tea or drinks Make turmeric powder as a paste by using water, leave this for 10-15 mins, and then wash.
Honey	Application on affected areas for 20-30mins, twice daily, and then wash properly.
Neem	Detoxify skin naturally, boil neem leaves and use that water to take a shower or bath
Vinegar – Apple Cider	Use one tablespoon in 2 cups of water, leave this for 10-15 mins, and wash properly.
Acids – Salicylic	Use of toner, a cleanser that contains salicylic acid.
Oils-  Tea Tree oil	Use 12-15 drops and apply to affected areas with cotton or fingers, wash with lukewarm water, and apply twice daily
Anti Dandruff shampoo	Use gently for 3-5 mins on the scalp, massage, and rinse with water.
Sulfur	Use of sulfur soap once daily on affected areas followed by a moisturiser that includes sulfur.
Anti Fungal body wash	Use gently for 3-5 mins on the body and then rinse with water
Aloe Vera	Use 10-15 mins and then wash.

Some Precautions When Using Remedies:

Tea Tree oil- It is best to treat fungal acne, but important to do Patch Test First. Uses of other career oils such as coconut, Jojoba, Aregan and Rosehip oil are less preventive.

When using apple cider vinegar- it is vital to dilute the solution properly, otherwise this could lead to irritation of the skin. So start with a low amount before going higher.

Antifungal wash and anti-dandruff shampoo- Should be careful when using and avoid direct contact with eyes and mucous membranes, as it contains Ketoconazole and Zinc pyrithione.

Salicylic acid- Not all skins are the same so be cautious as this could result in further dryness of skin due to over-exfoliating.

If symptoms remain the same or get worse, it is advisable to consult your dermatologist.

Conclusion:

Fungal acne needs proper attention and some proactive approaches as mentioned above. With regular monitoring fungal acne could come in control and you could achieve healthy skin by using good skin care routines. This article was about discussing the use if Home remedies to cure fungal acne and I must say that I had some impressive results in a few weeks after using these remedies but this could be different for someone, depending on their skin type and severity of symptoms

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q- What does fungal acne look likes?

A- Fungal Acne are red pimples called papules or pustules, which are comparable in size and often measure between 1 and 2 mm. They come in waves and have the potential to be quite itchy—much more so than typical acne patches. Although fungus acne can appear anywhere on the body, the forehead, temples, and frontal hair line are the most prevalent sites.

Q- What bacteria is responsible for fungal acne?

A- An overabundance of Malassezia yeast that has invaded your hair follicles is the cause of fungal acne.

Q- Can you get rid of fungal acne?

A- You don't have to treat it if it's not troubling you, but it can also be recurring; you may treat it and get relief, but it can still come back.

Q- When does fungal acne flare up?

A- An overabundance of yeast, a form of fungus that is normally found on the skin, causes fungal acne. This imbalance can be brought on by things like heavy perspiration, muggy conditions, tight clothes, and weakened immune systems.

Q- What is bad for fungal acne?

A- Using topical antibacterial drugs exacerbates fungal acne because they destroy more bacteria on the skin, which promotes the growth of the troublesome yeast or fungus. Therefore, fungal (yeast) development is favored by the balance between fungus and bacteria.