Although fungal acne on the forehead is possible, most forehead bumps are simply acne vulgaris caused by bacteria and dead skin cells or comedogenic hair care products. In this article, we’ll look at how to deal with both, read on.
What Is Fungal Acne?
Although not scientifically correct, “fungal acne” appears to be a popular and appropriate layman’s term for the skin condition dermatologists call Malassezia folliculitis, previously Pityrosporum folliculitis.
On the surface, Malassezia folliculitis (MF) looks like acne vulgaris, which can be misleading because it is not “acne.”
It’s an acne-like eruption within the hair follicles of the skin caused by an increase in the presence of yeast (Malassezia).
Malassezia is naturally found on the skin of healthy mammals but due to a host of underlying health factors. These opportunistic microorganisms can thrive, causing fungal (yeast) acne to develop.
Rashes on the back, neck, arms, and shoulders are common symptoms of this type of yeast infection. However, fungus acne can also affect other parts of the body, such as the face (forehead, T-zone, etc.).
Due to visual similarities, fungal acne can be misdiagnosed as acne vulgaris.
A more detailed explanation of what fungal acne is and how to treat it can be viewed here.
You can also watch the video to see how a dermatologist who is board certified explains it quickly.
What Does Fungal Acne Look Like?
MF appears in clusters of tiny pimples uniform in shape and size. There are no blackheads with fungus acne, a fungal acne outbreak mainly consists of tiny pus-filled lesions. This is different from traditional acne, which tends to be more random in location, shape, and size and consists of both white and blackheads.
MF results in the appearance of papules and pustules that are accompanied by itching. Itching is another thing not common with traditional acne breakouts.
These follicular papules and pustules are often found on the upper back, chest, and shoulders.
A 2014 study published in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology found that 57.1 percent of the outbreak occur on the face, though. They are just not noticed as often there because people think they are regular acne.
Fungal acne can affect the chin and cheeks, and although it’s not as common on the forehead, it is possible to see the papules and pustules there, but often outbreaks on the forehead are normal acne.
What Causes Fungal Acne on the Forehead?
The majority of acne in this area is caused by dead skin cells clogging pores or acne-causing hair care products.
Excess sebum secreted by the scalp, on the other hand, could play a role in the overgrowth of Malassezia, the fungus that causes dandruff.
This is why a combination of fungal and bacterial therapy may be the best option; see our recommended treatment options below.
As seen with fungal acne, itching is a telltale sign of a yeast infection. If the acne on your forehead is itchy, it’s probably MF rather than acne vulgaris.
Common Causes of Fungal Acne
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- The fungal acne develops when there is too much yeast on the skin. The yeast overgrowth can occur for different reasons. For example, fungal acne will grow in moist areas. When moisture becomes trapped, it creates an environment that yeast love. This can happen anywhere on the skin, such as on the upper back, chest, or shoulders, but not the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet, where no hair follicles are present. On the forehead, it could be caused by frequent sweating, especially sweating from the head down to the forehead.
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- Antibiotics can also cause yeast overgrowth. Antibiotics kill bacteria on the skin, which helps to keep the yeast population under control.
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- Certain diseases and treatments can wreak havoc on the immune system, allowing yeast to flourish. AIDS patients and chemotherapy patients, for example, may develop yeast acne on their foreheads.
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- It is important to note that fungal acne may be more common in adolescents, most likely due to increased sebaceous gland activity and a lot more sebum for the yeast to feed on. Furthermore, teens have a tendency to overuse harsh or active chemicals in an attempt to “quick-fix” prevalent acne. This overindulgence, however, frequently results in a dysfunctional epidermal skin barrier, which can lead to the development of both fungal and bacterial acne.
- Having an oily scalp or hair is another possible cause of forehead pimples.
This is especially likely in warmer climates, where this oil, along with sweat, can be deposited on the forehead.
Fungal Acne Treatment
The same product that people use to treat regular acne won’t kill the yeast that causes the fungal acne on your forehead.
People with fungal folliculitis tend to have it for a long time because they mistake it for regular acne and do not treat it appropriately.
The goal of an excellent fungal acne routine is to keep the yeast under control. The infection must be stopped by restoring the balance of bacteria and yeast on the skin.
This is accomplished through the use of a variety of fungal acne products and lifestyle changes.
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Commons Treatment for Fungal Acne on the Forehead
A combination of effective cleansing, medicinal treatments, and lifestyle changes may be what you need to clear fungal acne.
Regular Cleansing
Showers are significant if you tend to sweat a lot or workout regularly. It helps in two ways: it washes away the dead skin/yeast cells and the compounds from your sweat off the skin, which helps to create an optimal environment for the yeast to thrive.
You might try a combined treatment for both fungal acne and acne vulgaris. This will ensure you tackle all the potential causes of the yeast acne outbreak.
Use products such as Nizoral or Selsun blue for fungal acne to cleanse the area. These are anti-fungal shampoos used to treat dandruff, which is also linked to Malassezia. You can use these to wash the forehead at least once a day for an active breakout and then one to three times a week when the infection clears up. Let them sit on the skin 3-5 minutes before rinsing.
Fungal Acne Products
Other anti-fungal agents can also help, these include products that contain Ketoconazole, Pyrithione Zinc, or Selenium Sulfide.
Salicylic acid is an anti-inflammatory keratolytic agent, typically used to treat acne vulgaris. It can dissolve dead yeast cells from the forehead and slow yeast growth. This may negate the need for continued topical antifungals after your skin has cleared.
While salicylic acid has been shown to be effective in the treatment of acne. There is no clinical evidence to back up the use of treatment for fungal acne.
Sulfur is a natural element and an essential component for all organic organisms. It can be an effective option in the battle against fungus acne on the forehead.
Sulfur is also a keratolytic agent, removing dead skin cells and naturally helps to unclog pores.
Sulfur can also absorb excess skin oil (sebum), which can result in a reduced fungal growth rate.
Sulfur is also a mild antifungal that may slow the growth rate of Malassezia on the forehead. If the scent doesn’t bother you too much, definitely give sulfur a try!
Caprylic Acid is a powerful antifungal when used correctly. Look for Pure C8 Caprylic Acid M.C.T. (Medium Chain Triglycerides). C10 MCT is less effective, and C12 MCT will make fungal acne worse. Can be mixed in with your moisturizer or used as an oil cleanser to remove sunscreen and makeup, it can also be applied directly to the fungus acne on your forehead.
Natural Alternative Treatments
Tea tree oil is a natural topical antiseptic and antifungal treatment and should only be used topically. Look for Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Alternifolia), in addition, Tea Tree Oil can be very irritating, so it needs to be diluted to at least 1% concentration or less to avoid skin irritation. For added antifungal benefits try diluting with M.C.T. Oil.
Honey, in general, is considered to have antifungal properties. A 2001 study published in the European Journal of Medical Research found that Manuka Honey is an effective treatment for seborrheic dermatitis, a skin condition that is similar to fungal acne and is also caused by Malassezia yeast.
The study recommended treating the affected area with raw honey applied three times per day for at least three hours for two weeks.
Raw honey can be a sticky option, though, so you can also look for products that contain it or propolis, bee glue, for the same effect. You can also try this Tea Tree and Honey Mask for a dual-action approach.
Green Tea has been used medicinally in East Asia for centuries. It has a natural antimicrobial effect that makes it a practical option even for fungal acne on the forehead. Apply pure green tea extract to the forehead. 5% extract is required for efficacy.
One of the best treatment options costs you nothing, though. The UV radiation in the sun kills most microbes, including yeast. The sun is also your most important vitamin D source, which helps modulate immune function on the outer layers of the skin.
Limit your exposure to 10 to 30 minutes, though, a few times a week, especially if you have light-colored skin.
Following a Fungal Acne Diet May Reduce Forehead Fungal Acne
A fungal acne diet is really just a diet designed to help prevent yeast overgrowth. Diet can play a factor in controlling yeast because they tend to feed on carbohydrates and refined sweets. If you take the bulk of those foods out of your meal plan, you may see improvement not only in your skin but in your digestive health, as well.
Avoiding Certain Skincare Products
Yeast feeds on oils, which is why it is attracted to hair follicles. They produce the oil that helps to keep skin supple. Unfortunately, many skincare products contain oil that can lead to yeast overgrowth. Check the labels of all the cosmetic and skincare products you use.
If you see ingredients such as oleic, stearic, palmitic, lauric, and myristic acid, then you should avoid them.
Also, avoid products that contain fatty acid esters with carbon chain lengths of 11-24. Look for ingredients that end in ATE, such as isopropyl palmitate or glyceryl stearate.
You can use our easy skincare ingredient checker to help simplify the entire ingredient checking process.
Pro Tip!:
The skin of each individual is unique. It’s crucial to keep track of your flare-ups to see if there are any specific triggers, such as the weather, foods, or clothing you’re wearing.
If you have chronic fungal acne, keep a journal and write down anything that could be a trigger whenever you break out.
Consider what you ate that week, what cosmetics or hygiene products you used, and anything else in your life that might have changed.
How Long Before You See Clearer Skin?
Malassezia yeast has a thick, multilayered cell wall. This means it won’t clear up overnight, so give the medication time to do its thing. By week 2 of topical anti-fungal therapy, you should see a marked reduction in MF lesions on your forehead.
The most effective treatment is going to be oral antifungal medication. However, oral antifungal medications can have adverse effects, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and hepatotoxicity.
Take caution when using antibiotics if you know you have fungal acne. Antibiotic medications can alter the normal cutaneous flora and can trigger even more yeast overgrowth.
With each infection, take note of what works and what doesn’t. Eventually, you’ll know exactly what to do if you see a breakout starting and can take action to avoid it.
When to See a Dermatologist
As mentioned earlier, MF is commonly misdiagnosed as acne vulgaris but also may be confused with bacterial folliculitis. If attempts to get rid of fungal acne on your forehead at home are not effective or it seems like things are getting worse, make an appointment with a dermatologist in your area.
They will do a microscopic evaluation of matter extracted from the affected area, for the presence of Malassezia yeast. Additionally, If yeast is present on your forehead, a wood’s lamp can be used to illuminate the lesions, which will glow yellow-green if yeast is present.
Ultimately, it’s going to take some trial and error to determine what is best for your skin. Visually speaking, there is no clear line between fungal acne and acne vulgaris. You could have both happening on your forehead. For that reason, consider a dual treatment approach. Treat both conditions and see if you get positive results.
Find out more about Malassezia folliculitis and what you can do about it on Folliculitis Scout. We offer information and support to people dealing with itchy forehead acne.
Join the Folliculitis Scout Community
Above all know that you aren’t alone in your fungal acne problems. There’s a whole community of people with this issue that are ready to share their tips and tricks for treating the problem. We love our community at Folliculitis Scout! Socialize with us as well on Facebook. It’s so easy to Join and become part of a community that truly supports each other through the journey to better skin.