The small, itchy, and un-uniform bumps on the forehead, cheek, or shoulder might look like acne, but they are actually not! This may be considered as fungal acne, which is commonly associated with "Malassezia Folliculitis", that is a condition involving yeast that normally on the skin. They are naturally present on the skin and occur during conditions like heat, sweating, excess oil and prolonged occlusion; They will contribute to inflammation around hair follicles. 

Unlike everyday typical acne, fungal acne is often itchy and does not involve blackheads and whiteheads!

How To Get Rid Of Fungal Acne

The key step is identifying whether the bumps in the skin are actually "Malassezia Folliculitis". The treatment might include topical product application products or oral anti-fungal medication depending on the acne severity and diagnosis. In this case, dermatologist advice would be required. 

If you want some steps to take care of at home, then focus on keeping the skin clean after gym time or after layering skincare products in the routine! Avoid excessive scrubbing as experimenting with skin might cause skin irritation. If the bumps persist, return, and become painful, consulting with a dermatologist is the best choice. 

The bumps that occur on the skin may be:

• Small and uniform

• Red or skin-coloured

• Sometimes pus-filled

• Frequently itchy

• Concentrated around hair follicles

What Does Fungal Acne Look Like?

One of the most useful clues is the pattern of the breakouts. Generally acne is a mixture of blackheads, whiteheads , pustules, or even papules; In either case, the fungal acne look like small bumps that seem to be similar to each other. You can notice them like:

• Small, closely grouped bumps

• Itching or irritation frequently

• Few or no blackheads and whiteheads

• Breakouts around the hairline or forehead

• Similar bumps on the chest, shoulders or upper back

• Flares that become more noticeable after sweating or in hot, humid conditions

What Causes Fungal Acne?

There is not a single cause always; It has several conditions which tends to encourage the development or worsening of fungal acne.

1. Heat and humidity

The warm and humid conditions tend to increase the sweat in the body, while creating an environment in which the fungal acne becomes way more noticeable. This is one of the major reasons why the bumps are becoming troublemaking during the hot weather.

2. Excessive sweating

Sweat alone is not the cause every time, but when the sweating is prolonged due to the warm and moist environment around the skin, it may be at times.

If you are someone who is frequently exercising or spending time outdoors it might make you sweat and obviously cause follicular breakouts. 

3. Occlusion

Too much product layering, tight clothing, etc might trap the heat and make moisture against the skin might contribute to the follicular problem in susceptible people. This does not mean every product you use will cause fungal acne; It simply refers to the overall skin environment around the follicle is all that matters!

Fungal Acne vs Regular Acne: What's the Difference?

Can You Treat Fungal Acne Naturally?

This is where most of the people get wrong. 

Some of the common ingredients which people recommended for fungal acne are tea tree, neem, aloe vera, ACV, and even some of the essential oils. But it is not 100% sure that these products will work, it purely depends on your skin type and the acne severity.

1. What about tea tree?

Yes, tea tree oil is rich in anti-microbial properties and also helps in certain skin concerns. But it will not automatically be considered as a replacement for anti-fungal treatment.

When you are looking for tea tree based skincare products, then ensure to choose a formulation rather than diluting and using them on skin! Opting for tea tree toner is a best choice!

2. What about aloe vera?

Aloe vera has a soothing property, where the irritated or uncomfortable skin can be soothed and moisturized. But, aloe vera gel is vital for supportive skincare, rather than just anti-fungal treatment.

What Skincare Products Should You Avoid With Fungal Acne?

Avoiding:

• Unnecessary product layering

• Aggressive scrubs

• Strongly fragranced products if they irritate your skin

• Excessive use of drying masks

• DIY essential-oil applications

• Constantly changing products

How To Prevent Fungal Acne From Coming Back

• Manage sweat

Showering after heavy workouts and avoiding damp or wet clothes for longer time periods will be a great help!

• Reduce unnecessary occlusion

Wear only breathable outfits, as they will reduce the bumps on shoulders, back, and the chest area.

• Don't overcomplicate skincare

Using too many products does not mean the skin is healthy. Include products which are needed for your skin, rather than just laying a lot of products in one routine.

Can Fungal Acne Leave Dark Marks?

Yes, there are high possibilities the follicular skin acne might leave post inflammatory hyperpigmentation marks on the skin, especially deeper and even inflamed. So,

• Avoid picking or squeezing the bumps.

• Focus on controlling the active condition first.

• Using gentle skincare products.

• Apply SPF sunscreen regularly during the day.

Conclusion

What people call fungal acne is majorly referred to as "Malassezia Folliculitis, which is nothing but a new form of acne. The small bumps in the skin other than black or whiteheads which might be considered as fungal acne!