Let's get straight to the facts: Fungal acne isn't real. It's a made-up term to identify tiny bumps on the skin that won't go away. Acne doesn't have fungal properties at all, so there's no such thing as "fungal acne." Dr. Ron Michael Dagala, M.D. DPDS, an in-house dermatologist at Skin House Beauty and Laser Clinic, gave us the lowdown on what exactly this skin condition is.
What exactly is fungal acne?
Those tiny, itchy bumps you see on your skin are pityrosporum folliculitis or malassezia folliculitis. The skin naturally has fungi, but once there is an overproduction of yeast, it may lead to folliculitis or what people mistake as fungal acne. According to Dr. Dagala, they may look like acne and appear in the same areas as acne would. "These are not true acne types, and require a different treatment approach," he explained.
How do I treat "fungal acne?"
First, you must get rid of the triggers. Yeast or fungi thrives in moisture so have to watch out for these factors: humidity and sweat. The Philippines' hot weather makes Pinays prone to having these itchy, uniform bumps. Shower and wash your face as soon as you can after a sweaty activity and change into clean clothing.
Yeast feeds on sebum and moisture, so the oilier your skin is, the more it can thrive. Remember to keep your shine levels in control. Plus, stay away from products with fatty acids and lipids because these too accelerate yeast production.
For at-home treatments, look for products with fungi-fighting abilities like ketoconazole, pyrithione zinc, or selenium sulfide. Dandruff shampoos mostly contain these ingredients.
A gentle reminder: Before you decide to self-medicate, it's always best to consult a board-certified dermatologist. A doctor can determine your skin condition and prescribe the best treatments.
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