Fungal Acne: What Is It, What Causes It & How To Get Rid Of Those Pesky Bumps

Let's face it, acne breakouts can be a challenge. Even though there are dozens of lotions, creams, cleansers, and spot treatments, it can often seem like nothing will actually prevent those breakouts from popping up again. If you've purchased every product humanly possible to treat acne breakouts on your body with no success, you may be suffering from fungal acne. And the funny thing is, fungal acne isn't actually acne at all but is commonly misdiagnosed and mistreated as such.

Hilariously, fungal acne isn't actually an acne condition. The scientific term for what we consider fungal acne is Pityrosporum or Malassezia folliculitis. But since that's nearly impossible to say (and spell) for those of us outside of the medical profession, we'll refer to this condition as fungal acne for easier understanding.

The causes of fungal acne can vary, but board-certified dermatologist and founder of MMSkincare Ellen Marmur, M.D., says it's common for people to get fungal acne after being placed on antibiotics prescribed for treating acne. "When the antibiotics suppress bacteria, the yeast can overgrow," she says. Warm, humid climates, excessive sweat, and tight, non-breathable clothing are known to be causes, too. (Yes, leaving on your favorite fitness outfit for too long post-workout can be the culprit of these pesky breakouts.)

Unlike typical acne caused by bacteria, fungal acne is not typically found on the face. And according to King, that's one of the biggest visual differences when comparing fungal acne to other types of breakouts. "Fungal acne breakouts are more monomorphic, meaning they appear as uniform red bumps and small pustules on the chest, upper arms, and back but rarely involve the face," says King. "There are no whiteheads or blackheads, and the outbreaks are usually quite itchy." 

Treating fungal acne can vary depending on the severity of the condition. If you've checked all the boxes and your breakouts seem likely to be fungal acne, there are various at-home treatments to try before seeking help from an expert.

First, try identifying the possible cause of the fungal acne to prevent reoccurrence. King suggests showering and changing sweaty clothes immediately after workouts and opting for looser options that aren't snug to the skin. If the breakouts still persist, you can try over-the-counter products that can be applied topically to the infection. "Dandruff shampoos containing pyrithione zinc or selenium sulfide can be applied to the skin for five minutes and rinsed off," King suggests. "Or look for antifungal creams that contain econazole nitrate, ketoconazole, or clotrimazole, and apply it to the affected area twice daily."