My daily commute exposes me to prolonged sun exposure, worsened by wearing a full-face helmet, leading to sweat and friction-induced acne. Despite trying many products, I struggled with persistent cheek acne for nearly three months, possibly due to hormonal imbalance. Fortunately, while scouring the internet, I stumbled upon a YouTuber's video detailing her struggle with similar issues and the products that helped her. This led me to discover Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo and Dr. S Wong's Sulfur Soap as potential solutions for my acne dilemma.
Effectiveness of Products:
- Noticed significant reduction in fungal acne within three days of using Nizoral and Sulfur Soap.
- Ketoconazole in Nizoral Shampoo and sulfur content in Dr. S. Wong's Soap cited as effective by experts.
- Ketoconazole sachet price P62.90 and Sulfur Soap 80g price P48.00
Incorporating Products into Skincare Routine:
- Begin with Dr. S Wong's Sulfur Soap: moisten face, lather soap, gently apply to skin, leave for 2-3 minutes, then rinse.
- Next, apply Nizoral Shampoo to affected areas, leave for 2-3 minutes, then rinse.
- Optional: Apply moisturizer to alleviate dryness post-treatment.
-Monitoring and Disclaimer:
- Monitor effectiveness over one week; seek professional advice if condition worsens.
- Disclaimer: Personal experience and thorough research, not professional advice.
What is fungal acne?
- Fungal acne, also known as Malassezia folliculitis or Pityrosporum folliculitis, is a common skin condition where hair follicles become infected with Malassezia yeast, causing clusters of small, itchy, red bumps on the skin. Sometimes, these bumps develop into whiteheads or pustules.
Difference between fungal acne and regular acne:
- Fungal acne is often confused with acne vulgaris, but the main difference lies in their causes and symptoms. While both result in pimples, fungal acne is caused by a fungal infection in hair follicles and can be itchy, whereas acne vulgaris is typically not.
- It's crucial to distinguish between the two because their treatments differ, although they can occur simultaneously.
Symptoms and Causes:
- Fungal acne occurs when Malassezia yeast infects damaged or blocked hair follicles, caused by factors such as friction, heat, shaving, tight clothing, or antibiotic use.
- Symptoms include clusters of small pimples with red borders, itchiness, and pain, typically appearing on the chin, chest, forehead, neck, upper arms, shoulders, or upper back.
- [Source: my.clevelandclinic.org]
Management and Treatment:
- Healthcare providers treat fungal acne with oral or topical antifungal medications, such as fluconazole, itraconazole, econazole, ketoconazole, or selenium sulfide shampoo. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) may be an option for treatment-resistant cases.
- Oral antifungal medications may cause side effects like diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or liver damage.
Prevention:
- Preventive measures include showering after exercise, proper shaving techniques, using clean hot tubs, wearing loose clothing in hot and humid conditions, and maintaining good hygiene.
- Long-term use of antifungal medications may be recommended for recurrent fungal acne.
Outlook / Prognosis:
- Topical and oral antifungal treatments are usually effective, but fungal acne can recur. Maintaining hygiene changes and using topical solutions like antifungal shampoo may help prevent recurrence.
Living With:
- Home remedies such as warm compresses and avoiding activities that damage hair follicles may help relieve symptoms, but it's essential to consult a physician before trying them.
- Fungal acne, often mistaken for common acne, can be effectively treated with antifungal treatments and hygiene adjustments.
- [Source: my.clevelandclinic.org]
Comments