It’s important to remember that not all acne is the same, whether fungal acne vs closed comedones—several varieties of acne, including fungus-induced acne and acne produced by skin debris and germs. At first view, the little bumps appear to be the same, but, with careful exploration, each ailment differs in its appearance and treatment.
It’s critical to notice the variations in these tiny bumps to diagnose (comedonal acne vs fungal acne) and know which kind you need to treat correctly and completely. Remember that these problems can strike you at any age, not only in your teen years.
“Fungal acne” is a term used to describe a condition that isn’t acne. However, to the inexperienced eye, it may appear to be acne. You won’t get far if you treat fungal acne with regular acne treatment. Knowing the difference between and the concept of comedonal acne vs fungal acne will help you receive the best therapy for your skin. In dermalogistic language, fungal acne is known as “Malassezia Folliculitis Fungal Acne.”
Difference Between Fungal Acne And Closed Comedones
Malassezia folliculitis fungal acne vs closed comedones have similar appearances but differ in severity. An overproduction of sebum beneath the skin causes closed comedones, whereas fungi produce fungal acne in the skin, which is far more difficult to treat.
Fungi flourish in warm environments, so wash your face at least twice a day for at least 5 – 10 minutes each time, or the yeast will grow unchecked on your sensitive facial pores if they become too damp. Clogged follicles caused by excess oil, on the other hand, can be cleared out with benzoyl peroxide lotion. The therapy is based on what irritates them the most: germs, whiteheads, redness surrounding blackhead apertures, and so on.
Fungal acne is a much more sensitive, difficult-to-cure skin issue that doesn’t occur because sebum has increased beneath the skin’s surface layer. On the other hand, Closed comedones are less severe and can be treated simply by limiting the amount of oil on your skin not to block pores.
It can be tough to figure out which condition you have, but consulting with a healthcare specialist or dermatological practitioner can help you get the right diagnosis and treatment.
What Is Fungal Acne?
Fungal acne is a misnomer because it isn’t acne at all. While not a true kind of acne, this word is so frequently used and accepted that it is mentioned in many works of literature.
What do we know about fungal acne if it is pityrosporum or Malassezia folliculitis?
Malassezia folliculitis fungal acne is caused by an excess of yeast, whereas clinical acne is due to a combination of bacteria, sebum, and shedding skin cells. Although this yeast is naturally present on your skin, an overgrowth in the hair follicles creates acne-like outbreaks.
What do comedonal acne vs fungal acne look like? Small red pimples on the forehead and cheeks, or less usually on the upper back and chest, are the most prevalent symptoms of fungal acne. Small red bumps characterize fungal acne, distinguished from comedonal acne by whiteheads & blackheads, and inflammatory acne by acne cysts and nodules.
If you’re unsure about the sort of acne you have or whether it’s acne at all, visiting a dermatologist is a good place to start.
Causes Of Fungal Acne
Yeast overgrowth on the skin causes fungus acne. Fungal acne is caused by an excess of yeast, as opposed to closed comedones acne, which is caused by an overproduction of sebum oils and dead skin cells.
Oil and sebum production is important in feeding the bacteria that generate pimple-like bumps. Nonetheless, these elements do not completely cause breakouts, as they would for other forms of skin problems such as blackheads or whiteheads.
Topical medications like fluconazole tablets or ketoconazole cream can treat fungal infections. However, picking at one’s face can aggravate symptoms, requiring more serious treatment if left untreated.
Symptoms Of Fungal Acne
Fungal acne breakouts have distinct symptoms and signs, such as forming closed comedones acne breakouts.
The extent of the acne, where your acne outbreak occurs, and whether or not the acne-prone area is irritating are all symptoms of fungal acne. Clusters of little whiteheads, redness, and tiny pus-filled pimples that flow or bleed, escalating to larger lumps in a short period, are all common fungal acne signs.
Another indication of fungal acne is the transfer of the infection from one location to another, which occurs through the hair follicles.
Men are more likely than women to develop a fungal acne skin eruption. Though the effects of fungal acne can be severe, there are various acne treatment options for fungal infections that really can assist you in getting back on track with your everyday activities.
Treatment Approaches For Fungal Acne
For regular acne, prevention is just as crucial as treatment. No treatment will help you get rid of blemishes if you don’t take adequate care of your skin. Here are a few steps you can take to maintain your skin in good shape.
Cleanse
To avoid the formation of new acne, cleanse twice a day to eliminate debris, oil, and germs from the skin. You should also wash right after working out or participating in sports.
Oil-Free Products
To avoid blocking your pores and causing further breakouts, use non-comedogenic oil-free skincare products exclusively. Soap, moisturizer, sunscreen, cosmetics, and hair products are all examples. Before you apply any impact on your skin, double-check the ingredients.
Moisturize
Patients with oily acne-prone skin should use moisturizer for oily acne prone skin twice daily after cleansing to reduce skin dryness, which may seem illogical. If you don’t, your body will mistakenly believe it is dry and produce more sebum, resulting in additional pimples.
Healthy Diet
Avoiding carbohydrates, which cause more breakouts, is critical. In rare circumstances, even dairy might cause acne.
Proper Hygiene
Clean your pillowcases, towels, face masks, sports goods, and cellphones daily. These items can collect dirt and bacteria, resulting in additional pimples. It’s critical to maintain your hair clean since greasy, filthy hair on your face increases the chances of breakouts.
Clean your razors with alcohol every day and replace them periodically. Also, don’t squeeze pimples because this might worsen acne, infections, and scarring. People believe it will make acne disappear faster, but it will linger longer. Having frequent facials performed by an esthetician can also assist in keeping your pores clean.
How Does Fungal Acne Look Like?
According to Ward, Malassezia folliculitis shows small, homogeneous bumps on the chest, arms, and face. It’s also irritating. So-called “fungal acne” is distinguished from bacteria-derived acne by its irritation and homogeneous shape.
Is Getting Rid Of Fungal Acne Possible?
yes, it is possible. If you suspect you are experiencing a severe acne breakout with pus-filled bumps, please seek the advice of a dermatologist who is experienced in treating fungal acne. However, you can get the care you need as soon as possible.
Fungal acne is best treated with antifungal shampoos and body washes such as Selsun Blue or Nizoral, including selenium sulfide, Pyrithione zinc, or ketoconazole. To get rid of fungal acne, you can use soap bars containing salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
What Are Closed Comedones?
When people talk about comedonal acne, they usually refer to blemishes caused by comedones, a type of acne infection. There are various distinct varieties of zits, in case you didn’t know. Open comedones (or blackheads) & closed comedones(or whiteheads) are the two forms of comedones.
Blackheads aren’t black because they’re dirty, contrary to popular belief. The oxidation of the dirt obstructing your pores causes a black appearance. Because the lesion is exposed to the air, it oxidizes.
Comedonal acne affects around half of all women with clinical acne. The other half of the population suffers from inflammatory acne, which results in acne cysts and nodules, which are various forms of pimples. It’s also worth noting that inflammatory acne affects women younger than comedonal acne.
If you have comedonal acne, the good news is that it is generally regarded as a mild form of acne. Still, inflammatory acne or a combo of comedonal and inflammatory lesions is more likely to be moderate-to-severe acne.
Comedonal Acne Symptoms
Breakouts will appear irregularly in oily areas of the face and body, such as the chest, upper arms, and back, rather than in clusters as with fungal acne. Comedones can even appear in the ear like a pimple.
They are rarely accompanied by itching symptoms, which are common in cases of fungal acne. Clinical acne spots can also vary in size and form within the same patient, making it easier to identify them from fungal acne. Very similar-looking skin pimples create the appearance of fungal acne.
Causes Of Closed Comedones
Sebum oil accumulation with dead skin cells beneath the skin hair follicles is the primary cause of closed comedones acne. Oily diets, processed fats, and fried foods are major contributors to closed comedones. Because of their high-fat content, these meals block your pores, which then harden and gather dead skin cells.
Unlike opened comedones, Closed comedones remain close to the skin’s surface. A buildup of germs inside your pores produces this, which eventually hardens and forms blackheads. Blackheads can appear on your nose, forehead, chin, and rarely on your back.
Treatments For Closed Comedones
Both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription therapies can help you get rid of your outbreaks. The treatment is customized to the type of acne you have. In more difficult situations, a combination of topical and oral medications may yield the best effects. Inflammatory acne is usually treated with oral medicines.
Benzoyl Peroxide (BP)
Use benzoyl peroxide (BP) to eliminate comedones, kill germs and exfoliate dead skin cells. Because it can bleach the skin, it should be avoided by people with darker complexions. It can be used on the face or the body.
Salicylic Acid (SA)
Salicylic acid (SA) is a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that aids in exfoliating dead skin cells and treating comedones. In minor cases of inflammatory acne, SA’s anti-inflammatory effects can help reduce redness and swelling. It can be used as a body and face wash as well.
Topical Retinoids
Topical retinoids effectively exfoliate dead skin cells, reducing excess oil, and fading brown patches that may appear after a pimple has healed. Some kinds of acne scars can also be treated with retinoids.
Topical Antibiotics
Topical antibiotics prescribed by a doctor, such as erythromycin and clindamycin, effectively kill the bacteria that causes acne, P. acnes. They are frequently paired with BP, which produces better results and reduces the risk of bacterial resistance to antibiotics, which can emerge when antibiotics are taken alone.
Oral Antibiotics
Oral antibiotics like doxycycline and minocycline eliminate the germs that cause acne. It also decreases the inflammation that comes with it. Oral erythromycin or azithromycin have been used with some success if they are not tolerated.
Azelaic Acid
Azelaic acid, used topically, aids in the removal of dead skin cells and the unclogging of pores. Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects are also present. Because it can bleach the skin, it should not be used on darker skin types.
Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps with acne breakouts by exfoliating dead skin cells. It also aids in the fading of dark spots and reducing wrinkles.
Anti-androgens
Certain oral drugs, such as spironolactone, work to reduce androgen production, the hormones that cause acne by producing too much sebum.
Birth Control Pills
Because birth control pills reduce androgens, which cause acne breakouts, they’ve also been used to treat acne.
Dapsone
Topical dapsone works as an anti-inflammatory drug to help clear up acne outbreaks.
Chemical Peels Or Exfoliants
Chemical exfoliators including retinoids, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid are used in chemical peels and exfoliants to remove dead skin cells, debris, and oil that clog pores. Chemical exfoliators are probably safer than physical exfoliators for beginners.
How Do Closed Comedones Look Like?
Many people have no idea what triggers their acne skin breakouts, so it’s no surprise that those with closed comedones, or blackheads as they’re more generally known, have the same problem. Closed comedones usually show as dark spots on the skin’s surface, containing a tiny plug of sebum and keratin.
Closed comedones can be difficult to treat, but with the right skin cleansing products in your hands, they can be treated swiftly and kept under control, so they don’t reappear.
Closed comedones are black, little bumps on the skin’s surface that aren’t filled with red, irritated pus. It’s only a little pore with a clog of sebum inside. Closed comedones can be open or closed, depending on what prevents them from naturally draining.
What To Do For It To Never Happen Again?
Trying to break your closed comedones or any other sort of acne, according to dermatologists, is the most common way to spread pimples & blackheads all over your body. Instead, use a facial cleanser containing Salicylic acid, AHA, or BHA to wash your face daily. These skincare products are mild on your skin and help exfoliate it, preventing the development of sebum oil within your hair follicles.
Common Misconceptions About Closed Comedones
There are numerous myths and misconceptions about acne breakouts caused by closed Comedones. Some people believe that closed comedones indicate purging.
Closed comedones do not indicate purging. Skin purging usually occurs when you employ a skincare product or a chemical cleanser to trigger skin regeneration on purpose. It increases cell turnover rate in the skin, resulting in small open or closed comedones that appear on the skin as whiteheads.
For instance, if you buy a retinol-containing cream and apply it straight to your skin, the retinol will break down the top layer of dead skin cells. The disintegrated cells will release oils and other chemicals into your pores. Your body’s natural reaction is to push these toxins out through the openings of your hair follicles or pores.
How To Get Rid Of Comedones?
Comedones can be removed in various ways, but none are simple. The most frequent and successful technique to get rid of it is a facial cleanser containing Salicylic acid, which stimulates exfoliation and helps unclog blocked oil glands and pores. You can also use ice or a chemical peel to achieve the finest results!
Exfoliate regularly if you desire acne-free, smooth skin that isn’t covered with unpleasant pimples and bumps. Chemical exfoliators are beneficial since they allow you to target specific problem areas, such as your jawline or forehead, without having any negative side effects. They also allow users to get a greater penetration of active ingredients into pores, allowing all those nasties to escape!
Don’t give up if you’ve been fighting for a long time and have tried everything over the counter to get your fungal acne, normal inflammatory, or comedonal acne under control. The good news is that your dermatologist can help you differentiate between fungal acne vs closed comedones and put you on the proper treatment track. Before you develop permanent scarring, you should contact a board-certified dermatologist for evaluation and treatment.
