Acne symptoms can be worrying, having you rush for over-the-counter drugs to clear them quickly. But are you sure about the type of acne you are dealing with? Is it fungal, hormonal or bacterial? The good news is that you can treat all types of acne medically; you can use Nizoral for fungal acne and traditional acne treatments for hormonal and bacterial acne. If your dermatologist has deduced that a fungus causes your acne, it is time to start your treatment before it worsens.
We sometimes have experienced common acne, acne vulgaris, which is caused by hormonal imbalance or bacterial infection. But do you know that you can also get fungal acne? Fungal acne may have a similar resemblance to common acne, having you treat it as bacterial. As you look for ways to clear out your acne, get to know more about fungal acne and its treatment in this article.
What Is Fungal Acne?
Fungal acne may resemble hormonal acne or bacterial acne, but it is pretty different. It is not even considered actual acne because it is caused by an overgrowth of abnormal skin called a fungus.
For this fungus to grow and spread, it feeds on excess oil applied on our skin or our skin oil-sebum. In rare cases, this fungal infection results in a skin disorder called Tinea versicolor. In some cases, it causes an infection of the hair follicles that look like common acne with red bumps and whiteheads. However, to differentiate it from traditional acne, which you may see many types of different acne together( blackheads, pimples and cysts), fungal acne has a uniform appearance of itchy bumps.
Treating Fungal Acne With Nizoral
The active ingredient in treating fungal acne in the Nizoral is ketoconazole; it functions by inhibiting yeast growth. Since fungi are the overgrowth of yeast, inhibiting their growth will rid of fungal acne.
The Outcome
Using dandruff shampoo such as Nizoral in treating acne by applying topically on affected areas can relieve some patients. However, for the shampoo to be effective, it should have one to two percent of ketoconazole and be used daily to achieve maximum results.
In most cases, patients respond to the treatment regimen of applying the anti-dandruff shampoo topically. Still, when your case worsens, you will have to do a complete antifungal medication by combining your product with an oral antifungal medication. After finishing the oral antifungal medication, dermatologists recommend the continuation of Nizoral to prevent future recurrence of fungal acne.
How To Use Nizoral For Fungal Acne On Your Face
Always use lukewarm water while washing your face with Nizoral. High or low temperatures could irritate and make fungal acne worse.
Take a small amount of Nizoral cream on your finger and apply it to your face in circular motions, massaging gently into the affected areas.
Let the product sit on your face for five to ten minutes to ensure it has been fully absorbed, and rinse off. Please avoid contact with the product on the eyes, mouth and do not breathe it in too.
Make sure you have thoroughly rinsed all traces of Nizoral from your face, then give it about two to four weeks to see results.
You can use Nizoral daily for maximum results, but if irritation and dryness occur, you can switch to using it once or twice a week.
Factors That Could Lead To Fungal Acne
Climate
Fungal acne is caused by yeast overgrown, and yeast thrives in warm, humid areas. Therefore, it is obvious to find patients with fungal acne in such areas. You can not avoid hot, but you can avoid wet areas; wet areas are breeding grounds for fungus and dwelling in such places only increases the infection rate.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are a means of treating bacterial infections, but they could sometimes to you worse than good. Most antibiotics kill both good and bad bacteria, thus allowing fungi to thrive. Fungal acne may affect people already on antibacterial treatments as compared to those who are not. When you are already treating your fungal acne, avoid antibiotic treatments until you are fully cured or find choices such as benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or retinol.
Hygiene
As discussed earlier, yeast-like warm, humid areas. It tells you to avoid places that will make you sweat frequently or put on the wrong clothes that will cause you humidity and spread yeast infection. Also, after every shower, ensure to pat your skin dry before putting on clothes to cut off the habitats for fungi.
Skincare Products
As we mentioned earlier, yeast feeds on excess applied oil or our own generated oil-sebum. Therefore, if you are prone to fungal acne, applying minimal oil will be enough as an excessive application could only trigger more fungal acne breakouts.
Diet
What you eat could not be the leading cause of fungal acne, but it could be a factor that could increase yeast production. For example, there could be an existing imbalance in the food you consume, leading to the overproduction of yeast. Eating foods high in sugars or yeast could cause multiple yeast cells leading to fungal infections.
Steroids
Another possible cause of acne is taking oral corticosteroids. The fungal acne breakouts may not appear immediately but will take around two weeks after you start taking your steroids. A steroid-induced acne is a common form of fungal acne caused by body-building hormones, steroid inhalations and potent topical steroid cream used on the skin and body for an extended period. Fortunately, once you discontinue the use of these steroids, your acne subsides. During this period of discontinuation, dermatologists advise using topical treatments with benzoyl peroxide and dandruff treatment shampoo to control further outbreaks.
Covid Masks
If your fungal acne appears on the lower part of your face or around your mouth, then it might be caused by your face mask. The covid surgical masks are made of polypropylene, which traps humidity and heat under a mask. The environment then becomes a breeding area for fungi, thus increasing the risks of getting fungal acne. To avoid the fungal acne caused by masks, use cotton masks with antibacterial or antifungal copper and silver ions.
Benefits Of Using Nizoral To Treat Fungal Acne
Acne symptoms can wear you out on thinking each type of acne is treated in one way. That is not the case; there has to be a specific tested purpose. For the medication to work, It is good to know that not all acne is the same. That is why you should not self-medicate because this could remove the condition from bad to worse. For example, bacterial acne and fungal acne could look the same, thus confusing you.
If you are sure your acne is fungal, Nizoral could help in treating it. If you are struggling with this condition, you might find relief in antifungal products such as Nizoral. Nizoral treats the fungus on your skin and your forehead, hairline, behind your ear and back. Generally, it will treat any fungus on your skin. Dandruff is also a type of overgrown fungus caused by pityrosporum folliculitis. When this organism overgrows, it spreads down to your skin in the form of small bumps and even tiny clogged pores.
Nizoral comes in to clear out the fungal infections by:
Treating Dandruff
If you have dry, flaky skin, try using Nizoral for relief. This product is simply an anti-dandruff shampoo used on the face and skin to treat fungal acne.
Improving Athlete's Foot
There are many conditions of fungal infections that Nizoral can treat apart from dandruff. For example, if you are suffering from athlete's foot or ringworms, this ointment can give you relief if you apply it once or twice daily. After applying Nizoral, ensure you have dried the affected areas very well to avoid further infections because fungus thrives well in warm, humid conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions On Using Nizoral For Fungal Acne.
Are There Side Effects Of Using Nizoral?
It is very safe to use Nizoral shampoo for clearing fungal acne. There have been a few complaints by people who use it daily of the Nizoral causing itching or an allergic rash in the affected areas. However, this is not a cause of alarm. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid Nizoral.
Does Nizoral Help In Treating Regular Acne?
You can use Nizoral only in treating fungal acne, bacteria cause regular acne, but fungal acne is caused by pityrosporum folliculitis. A condition where yeast overgrows and spreads down into hair follicles and multiplies, making you itch and causing fungal acne. Try not to mistake fungal acne for regular acne because treating either condition wrongly only worsens it.
When Should I Stop Using Nizoral For Fungal Acne?
After using Nizoral for 3 to 4 weeks, you should start seeing a reduction of fungal acne. Once your fungal acne has cleared up, use Nizoral twice a week only for maintenance and avoiding recurrence.
