If you’ve been using acne treatments for a while and not seen any improvement, it could be because you have fungal acne.
If you’ve been using acne treatments for a while and not seen any improvement, it could be because you have fungal acne.
Your skin is your body’s largest organ and it’s covered in tiny living things you can’t see, called ‘microorganisms’.
This delicate balance of microorganisms includes bacteria, yeast and other fungi, many of which help protect you and stop you from getting ill.
If this balance is disrupted, however, it can cause skin problems – including fungal acne. Read on to learn more, including possible causes and how to get rid of fungal acne.
Fungal acne occurs when the balance of microorganisms on your skin is disrupted and too much yeast (a type of fungus) grows.
This leads to your skin’s hair follicles getting infected, which causes small pimples and whiteheads, often with itchiness and irritation.
What does fungal acne look like? It can sometimes look similar to what we think of as ‘regular’ acne – known as ‘acne vulgaris’. But fungal acne doesn’t cause blackheads, and the pimples tend to be all the same shape and size.
Fungal acne needs different treatment from acne vulgaris, so it’s important to know which type you have (see below).
There are various things that can upset the balance of fungi and bacteria on your skin, including:
It can be difficult to tell the difference between fungal acne and acne vulgaris. But you’re likely to have fungal acne if the pimples:
If you're not sure, or if you’ve been using acne treatments for a while and not seen any improvement, it’s a good idea to speak to your doctor or a skin specialist (dermatologist).
They'll be able to look at your skin and symptoms, and may do some tests to check for the presence of yeast.
Fungal acne can be treated with antifungal medication, which is either taken as a tablet (oral) or applied to the skin (topical). Your doctor will be able to advise about what’s most suitable for you.
Oral antifungals are usually the most effective, but can have side effects, including sickness, tummy pain and loose poos (diarrhoea). Topical treatments include creams, shampoos, sprays and powders.
How long you need to use an antifungal for will depend on the severity of your acne and how it responds to treatment.
Other things you can do to help get rid of fungal acne include:
Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.