Acne: part 1 Fungal acne

    Skin condition when hair follicles becomes clogged due to oil and dead skin collecting in them is termed as acne. Now this particular skin condition can occur at all ages and can appear on almost every part part of the body. During acne  you will face different kind of skin textures, pimples and their pattern, which shows that acne have various different types. It can be fungal or bacterial, maybe cystic or hormonal and for each type has it’s different treatment.

Since acne is such a vast topic to cover, so in this post we will be talking about Fungal acne. Bacterial acne is a common type of acne and you hear a lot about this type. But what you don’t hear most about is fungal acne which can also happen and has a total different treatment. So if you’re facing acne and it is not getting better, you might be having fungal acne. Bow to find this out? Keep on reading.

FUNGAL ACNE

     Now fungal acne does look like bacterial or any other kind of acne, and is easily misunderstood as one of them. Some dermatologist might put you on antibiotics thinking is it bacterial which is not the case. This type happens due to fungus and not bacteria. Fungal acne in medical terms is called pityrosporum folliculitis or malassezia folliculitis.

How to know it’s fungal acne?

Well fungal acne is always followed by itchiness on the areas where it appears. It forms tiny bumps which doesn’t seems squeeze able, and when you do squeeze them a yellow solid stuff comes out. Sinve it is fungal, antibiotics won’t work for it so you get to know its fungal not bacterial.It feels like your pores are being clogged. It can be diagnosed on microscopic level easily so seeing a dermatologist Is good.

Where it occurs?

It usually occurs on the body or face when oil production is excessive like on your back, chest, shoulders.

What are the causes?

• Excessive oil production malasseezia is a fungus which is lipophillic ( loves lipids/oils) which grows more on oil, caused by sweating or skincare products you are using which contains fatty acid and hot and humid weather, which are responsible for growth.
• Use of excessive antibiotics leads to destroy bacteria on skincare n which also cause overgrowth of yeast resulting in fungal acne.

Ingredients to avoid

   A list of ingredients to avoid during this condition is a bit long and you will see these ingredients almost in every skincare product so try to avoid them.

1. Fatty acid and oils which is a bit hard like you will find these in so many moisturisers. Fatty acids like lauric acid, myristic acid, stearic acid, lenolic acid, oliec acid and palmitic acid etc.
2. Esters are a mixture of alcohol and fatty acid also need to avoid these. They usually ends with -ate. So you know which are esters in the ingredients.
3. Polysorbate this group is also need to avoid like polysorbate 20-40-60-80.
4. Some ingredients may or may not effect malassezia are cholesterol, ceramides, phospholipids and saqalane.

Treatment of fungal acne

    Now these ingredients will help to inhibit the growth of malassezia and reduce fungal acne.

1. Ketoconazol inhibits the growth of malassezia and also main component of many anti-dandruff shampoo. So sometimes people do use anti dandruff shampoo as treatment. Apply a thin layer and leave it for 5-10 mins and rinse off.
2. Honey or propolis extract use this as spot treatment or wash with raw honey and see how it goes.
3. Salicylic Acid continues use of it will inhibit the fungal growth. It is found in many anti-acne products and is anti bacterial and anti fungal properties. Mix one tablet of disprin with water and apply it on face for 10 mins daily to see its working.
4. Sulphur is also a good treatment for acne and also for fungal acne.
5. Last but not least is An amazing moisturiser and does not promote fungal acne.

Hope you find this post helpful. If you are having fungal acne try these treatments and share your thoughts in the comments below.