What Is Fungal Acne and How Do You Treat It?

Key Takeaways

• Fungal acne is actually a yeast-related condition called Malassezia folliculitis, not traditional acne.
• It often shows up as clusters of similar-looking, itchy bumps that can flare up with heat, sweat, and humidity.
• The right treatment depends on the cause. Antifungal medication may be needed, a gentle skincare routine helps support your skin, and symptoms can return if treatment stops.

If you’ve tried every acne product on your shelf and those tiny, itchy bumps still aren’t budging, it might be time to rethink what you’re dealing with. Not every breakout is traditional acne, and using the wrong products can leave you frustrated and no closer to the clear-looking skin you want.

Fungal acne, or Malassezia (Pityrosporum) folliculitis, differs from traditional acne. In fact, it’s not real acne at all but a fungal infection that causes your hair follicles to become inflamed.

If you know what fungal acne is and why it flares up, you can understand how you can treat it efficiently. Read on to find out if the skin blemishes you thought were acne are actually a fungal infection, and if so, how to treat them to restore smooth, radiant skin.

What Is Fungal Acne?

First things first: fungal acne isn’t technically acne. Its medical name is Malassezia folliculitis, a condition that develops when a type of yeast naturally found on your skin overgrows and affects your hair follicles.

If you’ve ever baked a homemade loaf of bread, yeast was probably a key ingredient. But did you know that yeast is also a type of fungus that can cause fungal acne?

Worry not: the yeasts that cause blemishes are from completely different species than the yeast we use to make bread. The one that can cause a fungal acne breakout is called Malassezia yeast.

Fungal Acne Symptoms: What It Looks Like on the Face and Body

Recognizing the trademark signs of fungal acne early on can help you seek proper treatment and restore your skin to its previous smoothness.

Think clusters of small, similar-looking bumps that may be red, irritated, and, notably, itchy. They often show up around the forehead and hairline, but your chest, shoulders, back, and other areas can be affected, too.

Traditional acne can look different, with a mix of blackheads, whiteheads, and inflamed pimples. Fungal folliculitis tends to produce bumps that look more uniform.

Look for these signs and symptoms:

• Location: When inspecting what you believe to be fungal acne, look for the location of the pimples or breakouts. Fungal acne most commonly appears on the face, scalp, chest, back, neck, shoulders, or arms. That said, because folliculitis is related to hair follicles, fungal acne can appear anywhere that you have hair follicles.
• Itchiness: Fungal acne blemishes typically feel itchy. Sometimes they can even burn or emit a painful sensation.
• Appearance: Unlike normal acne, bumps caused by a fungal infection have a largely uniform shape and size. These bumps tend to congregate near the forehead, hairline, and sometimes the chin. They are often filled with pus. If you notice clusters of small red bumps that seem irritated and give off a rash-like appearance, that is a strong indicator that you may be dealing with a case of fungal acne.

Appearance alone can’t confirm fungal acne, though. See “How Is Fungal Acne Diagnosed?” below.

Fungal Acne vs. Regular Acne at a Glance

Still unsure?

Our guide to fungal vs. hormonal acne breaks down the differences. And if you’re noticing blackheads or whiteheads instead, learn more about comedones and clogged pores.

What Causes Fungal Acne On The Face?

Malassezia yeast naturally lives on your skin, so its presence alone isn’t a problem. The issue is when it overgrows and contributes to inflammation in your hair follicles.

Treating fungal acne starts with understanding how the fungal infection behaves. The following factors often cause fungal infections:

• Heat and moisture: When skin is hot and damp, the perfect conditions are created for fungi to thrive. Warm and wet flesh is easily damaged, which causes inflammation in the hair follicle and lets germs in, leading to infection. Because of this, someone who lives in a tropical climate may be more likely to develop fungal acne. Staying in sweaty clothes or letting moisture sit against your skin for too long can make matters worse.
• Health issues: People who have diabetes or a weakened immune system are more likely to experience fungal acne. If you regularly take antibiotics, you could also be worsening your fungal acne. Steroid use can also be associated with a higher likelihood of Malassezia folliculitis.
• Age and oily skin: Adolescents are more likely to be affected by fungal acne. Because of the extra oil that teenage skin typically produces, the skin of individuals at this stage in life is particularly susceptible to the growth of fungi. Oily skin at any age may also play a role.

If any of these factors sound like they fit your current lifestyle and situation, it might be time to look into solutions for fungal acne treatment, which we’ll cover below.

Differentiating Fungal Acne from Other Types

When discussing acne, most people refer to skin blemishes as if they’re all part of the same category. But you may be surprised to learn that not all acne is created equal: different types of acne are caused by different underlying factors.

The two most common categories of acne are:

• Bacterial acne: Bacteria such as Cutibacterium acnes (formerly called Propionibacterium acnes) live on our skin naturally. However, just as a fungus that is typically harmless can overgrow and cause hair follicles to become infected, this bacterium can cause inflammation when present in excessive amounts. This condition may cause swollen cysts and pus-filled lesions.
• Hormonal acne: It’s easy to mix up hormonal acne and fungal acne, even though they are different. Changes in hormone levels in our bodies can cause these blemishes. Hormonal acne is common during significant hormonal fluctuations, such as puberty, pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause. It is triggered when hormones cause our sebaceous glands to go into overdrive, producing excessive sebum. Normally, this natural oil serves to lubricate the skin, but too much of it can quickly clog your pores.

How Is Fungal Acne Diagnosed?

Here’s the important part: you can’t diagnose fungal acne based on appearance alone. It can look a lot like other skin conditions, and you can have more than one type of breakout at the same time. If your bumps are persistent, very itchy, or aren’t responding to your usual routine, get them checked by a qualified health care professional.

If your acne or breakout symptoms relate to both the bacteria and the hormonal category, know that it is possible to experience both kinds simultaneously. This can make it more difficult to treat the acne at the root.

In these cases, consulting with your healthcare provider or a dermatologist may help you better understand your unique complexion and symptoms. A skin expert may also be able to test a skin sample for fungus to diagnose the condition with greater certainty.

How Do You Treat Fungal Acne?

The first step is to figure out whether you’re actually dealing with fungal folliculitis. If you are, antifungal medication is the main treatment, not simply another acne serum. A healthcare professional may recommend a topical antifungal or, in some cases, prescription oral medication, depending on the severity.

The most popular techniques utilized by fungal infection patients today include:

• Antifungal medication: Commonly administered as a topical cream or an ingestible pill, this form of treatment aims to reduce the fungal infection on your skin. For severe or persistent cases, a provider may prescribe oral antifungals, such as fluconazole or ketoconazole.
• Anti-dandruff shampoo or treatment: To help balance the yeast and bacteria on your skin, try using an anti-dandruff shampoo to wash the areas where a fungal acne breakout is present. Selenium sulfide shampoos are one option providers commonly mention, but the right product and how to use it on your face depends on your skin and diagnosis, so check with a health care professional first.
• Non-comedogenic skincare products: Adopting a consistent cleansing regimen that keeps your skin clear of sweat and other contaminants is essential. Choose gentle products that cleanse without leaving your skin feeling stripped. Our GENTLECLEAN Hydrating Barrier Cleanser is formulated without pore-clogging ingredients and can be part of a gentle daily cleansing routine. It isn’t an antifungal treatment, though, so don’t rely on a cleanser alone to address a fungal infection.

Don’t self-prescribe medicated products. Anti-dandruff shampoos or antifungal treatments may be recommended for certain cases, but the right option depends on your skin and diagnosis. Get professional guidance before experimenting with medicated products on your face.

What Can Make Fungal Acne Worse?

Antibiotics can cause fungal acne or make it worse, so tell your provider if you’re taking them. Piling on more acne products may not help if yeast is the cause, and heavy or greasy products may not suit everyone, especially if your skin feels congested. Stop using anything that seems to irritate your skin.

Will Fungal Acne Come Back?

It can. Cleveland Clinic notes that fungal acne can return even after successful treatment, and that hygiene changes plus a weekly topical solution, such as an antifungal shampoo, may help stop it from recurring. Symptoms often clear with treatment and come back when treatment stops, so ask your provider what maintenance plan makes sense for you.

The goal isn’t to attack your skin with more products. It’s to identify the cause and choose an approach that makes sense.

FAQs

What’s the difference between fungal acne and regular acne?

Fungal acne is a yeast-related infection of the hair follicles, while regular acne is driven by oil, clogged pores, bacteria, and hormones. Fungal acne tends to be itchy and made up of similar-looking bumps, while regular acne is usually not itchy and can include blackheads and whiteheads. Because the two can look alike, and can occur together, a healthcare professional can help confirm which one you have.

Does fungal acne itch?

Often, yes. Itching is one of the clearest differences from regular acne, though some people also notice burning or tenderness.

Is fungal acne contagious?

Malassezia folliculitis isn’t usually spread through everyday contact, but transmission can sometimes occur through shared items or certain exposures. Avoid sharing personal grooming tools, and seek professional advice if you’re concerned.

Can you treat fungal acne with a regular acne cleanser?

A cleanser can help remove sweat, oil, and daily buildup, but it won’t necessarily address yeast overgrowth. Confirm the cause of your bumps and follow an appropriate treatment plan.

Can I use anti-dandruff shampoo on my face?

Some providers suggest selenium sulfide or other antifungal shampoos for fungal acne, but how to use them on facial skin depends on the product and your skin. Ask a health care professional before trying one, especially if your skin is sensitive.

Conclusion

We hope this guide to Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal acne, helps you determine if the bumps on your skin result from regular acne, a fungal infection, or perhaps a mix of both. And if you have identified it as such, know that effective solutions are available.

If your breakouts are itchy, look unusually uniform, or refuse to respond to your usual products, don’t keep guessing. Fungal folliculitis may need a different approach from traditional acne, and the right treatment starts with identifying what’s actually going on.

Keep your routine gentle, cleanse after sweating, and get professional guidance when bumps persist. Clearer-looking skin starts with understanding your skin, not throwing everything at it.

Browse our advanced skincare solutions to support your skin on the journey toward acne recovery.

Sources:

Malassezia (Pityrosporum) Folliculitis | Cleveland Clinic

Fungal Acne: Malassezia Folliculitis, Pityrosporum Folliculitis | Cleveland Clinic

Cutibacterium acnes as an Opportunistic Pathogen: An Update of Its Virulence-Associated Factors | PMC

Malassezia Folliculitis | DermNet New Zealand

Pityrosporum folliculitis: What to know about fungal acne | Ohio State Health & Discovery