What is fungal acne?
Fungal acne is a common skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become infected with a fungus called Malassezia yeast. The condition is also called Malassezia folliculitis or Pityrosporum folliculitis.
Fungal acne causes clusters of small, itchy, red bumps (papules) on your skin. Sometimes, the bumps get a bit larger and turn into whiteheads, small pockets of white or yellow pus (pustules).
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What’s the difference between fungal acne and regular acne?
Fungal acne is often confused with acne vulgaris (“vulgaris” is Latin for “common”). Both cause pimples. Common acne happens when hair follicles get blocked with bacteria, oil and dead skin. Fungal acne is a fungal infection in hair follicles. The main difference is that fungal acne can be itchy and acne vulgaris isn’t.
It’s important to distinguish between fungal and common acne because the treatments are different. Yet the two types of acne can happen at the same time.
Who might get fungal acne?
Anyone can get fungal acne. It’s most common in adolescents and young adult males, who tend to have oily skin where yeast thrive. The yeast also grows quickly on hot, damp or sweaty skin.
The condition is also more likely to occur in people who:
- Live in a hot, humid climate.
- Have a weakened immune system.
- Have other fungal infections, such as seborrheic dermatitis or tinea versicolor.
- Sweat a lot (hyperhidrosis).
- Use a lot of oil-based moisturizers and sunscreens.
- Use antibiotics.
