It can be very frustrating when an acne sufferer history of attempts at treatment does not include any response to typical acne treatment’s offers no real solution. Regardless of its name, fungal acne isn’t acne at all, but rather an overabundance of yeast on the skin which requires its own specialized treatment. If you have been using standard acne products which haven’t helped, knowing the proper methods of treatment may be the one thing that will help you with your battle against fungal acne.

In the following, we aim fungal acne, its contagiousness, and associated treatment options, which include antifungal cream, to answer the question of how to eliminate fungal acne once and for all.

What Is Fungal Acne?

Fungal acne, or Malassezia folliculitis, is the overabundance of malassezia yeast. Malassezia yeast is a skin inhabitant, but due to certain factors it may become a skin invader. Some of the factors that make Malassezia yeast a skin invader include: overheating, moisture, sweating, and the administration of antibiotics.

That is, unlike typical acne, fungal acne is often described as itchy, small, and homogeneous in nature. The sites of predilection include the forehead, chest, shoulders and the upper back.

How to Eliminate Fungal Acne

Fungal acne is different to traditional acne, and therefore needs to be treated differently. Fungal acne is caused by an excess of yeast, and therefore the following methods work by addressing the excess yeast, rather than the traditional anti-acne microbiome bacterial overgrowth.

1. Antifungal Medication

The most direct way to treat fungal acne is to use antifungal medications. For mild cases over-the-counter antifungal creams can be used. Look for active ingredients such as:

Clotrimazole
Ketoconazole
Miconazole

Topical antifungal creams work by directly stopping yeast growth, and therefore need to be applied directly to the affected area. For more severe cases, faster results can be achieved by using prescription medicine which is given topically and is an antifungal as well.

2. Antifungal Shampoo

Dandruff shampoos contain active ingredients such as ketoconazole and selenium sulfide and can help treat fungal acne. To be most effective, the shampoo body wash should be left on the skin for a few minutes before rinsing.

3. Keep Skin Cool and Dry

Since yeast thrives in warm, wet environments, the following should be prioritized in order to keep yeast in the skin to a minimum:

Shower after workouts to remove sweat.
Change quickly after walking to prevent sweat from pooling under the clothes.
Wear looser, more breathable fabrics, and take care to avoid overly tight clothes.

Reducing moisture helps prevent yeast from multiplying.

4. Avoid Oily Products

Certain skincare products can worsen the infection and cause the fungal acne to worsen. Avoid oil-based skincare products, fatty-acid-based lotions, and greasy creams.

5. Minimize Antibiotic Use

The overuse of antibiotics can lead to an overgrowth of yeast on your skin. If it is determined that your fungal acne is an effect of antibiotic usage, consult your physician about possible alternative treatments.

Is Fungal Acne Contagious?

Fungal acne is an extremely common form of skin disorder, as such, you may wonder if it is contagious. The good news is that it is generally considered non-contagious. The yeast infection that causes the acne is on the skin of almost everyone.

Of course, certain circumstances can lead to infections. If you share items like towels, clothes, or use the same gym equipment in a wet environment, an infection can occur. Infection can also occur in the absence of good hygiene.

Does Salicylic Acid Help With Fungal Acne?

Salicylic acid is known to fight acne by unclogging pores, removing excess oils, and reducing inflammation. It does not address the overgrowth of yeast that is the primary cause of fungal acne.

In fact, topical salicylic acid treatments can exacerbate the conditions by providing yeast with food to thrive. If you are trying to treat your acne with salicylic acid, then it is likely that you have fungal acne and not bacterial acne.

To truly treat the infection, you must use antifungal products, as salicylic acid will not relieve your symptoms in the infected area.

Antifungal Creams for Fungal Acne

The skin’s natural balance can be disrupted by fungi, and fungal acne develops as a result. Antifungal creams are a mainstay of therapy and are extremely useful and effective at bringing this balance back. They target the fungus and kill it, bringing balance back to the skin.

Some of the common and accessible antifungal creams are:

Clotrimazole cream- This can be acquired with an OTC (Over The Counter) Drug.
Ketoconazole cream- This can be acquired as an OTC or prescription strength drug.
Miconazole cream- This is also an antifungal drug that is accessible to the public.

The cream needs to be applied on the affected areas and needs to be placed on the skin that is clear and dry. Improvement can be expected in as little as one to two weeks, but that is dependent on the severity of the case. The cream should be applied one to two times a day based on the prescription or needs of the patient.

If the case is more advanced, meaning stubborn and difficult to treat, a healthcare provider may provide a prescription for an antifungal drug that can be taken orally. This is usually necessary if the topical forms of the drug fail.

How Long Does It Take to Clear Fungal Acne?

In the case of mild or simple fungal acne where the cause should be evident, an appropriate treatment plan should include a topical prescription cream. This should clear the skin by one to two weeks. If the acne is more difficult to treat or more fungal evo, the case could take weeks or longer to clear. This is because the cream must be applied for the duration of the time. Once the skin is clear, the patient may be tempted to stop using the cream, however this is generally the time in treatment when it is most critical to continue.

In cases of fungal acne, most patients find that using preventative measures such and keeping the skin clear of irritants and dry, and combatting the use of products that can cause outbreaks reduces the incidence of outbreaks.

When to See a Doctor

Here’s when you should consider seeing a healthcare provider:

You don’t show any improvement after using antifungal medications bought from the pharmacy.
The rash extension and pain become severe.
You doubt whether you are dealing with fungal acne or a different dermatosis.
You are a repeat offender.

This is a case where you would want to receive a proper diagnosis to save you from a slew of unnecessary treatments that would aggravate the situation further.

Preventing Future Fungal Acne Breakouts

Once your skin is clear, the focus should shift to preventing future breakouts of fungal acne, which can be done by:

Using lightweight skincare products that are non-comedogenic.
Staying away from thick oils when the weather is humid.
Prompt washing of your gym clothes.
Limiting your exposure to sweaty conditions.
Using antifungal shampoo as a maintenance dose, if this has been recommended to you.
The yeast that causes fungal acne will be prevented from overgrowth if your skin is balanced and dry.

Final Thoughts

Traditional acne products do not work because of the yeast overgrowth not being a bacteria in the skin. You need to adjust to antifungal creams and medications to remove it because it is fungal acne.

Fungal acne is generally not contagious; however, good hygiene, and not sharing personal items in moist settings can minimize irritation. If symptoms are unclear or not improving, see a healthcare provider for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.