When dealing with acne, you might focus all your energy on treating the symptoms. But it’s important to find out what’s causing your acne before trying to fix it. You can find it if you understand fungal acne vs hormonal acne. These two are the major acne types people deal with.
What is Fungal Acne?
You will be surprised to know that fungal acne is not really acne. It is actually a type of folliculitis or pityrosporum. This happens when yeast overgrowth causes infection in your hair follicle. It usually looks like an acne breakout, but it’s just an inflamed hair follicle that causes a pus-filled bump on your skin.
What Is Hormonal Acne?
Hormonal acne is one of the most common types of acne. This is what most people think of when they hear “acne.” It happens when hormonal imbalances cause your body to produce too much sebum, an oily substance. This excess sebum can clog your pores.
This is why many teenagers get acne during puberty. Other causes can include pregnancy, hormone treatments, birth control, ovulation, menopause, hormone replacement therapy, certain medical conditions, medications, and more. The body is a finely tuned system, and it doesn’t take much to disrupt it.
Analyzing Fungal Acne Vs. Hormonal Acne
Fungal and hormonal acne share a couple of similarities: they both start in the hair follicle and result from clogged pores. However, there are three main differences between them:
- Where They Appear: Hormonal acne usually shows up on the chin, jaw, and neck. However, fungal acne appears on the forehead and hairline.
- How They Feel: Fungal acne often causes itching, whereas hormonal acne doesn’t.
- Size: Hormonal acne tends to be deeper in the skin, while fungal acne is smaller.
To figure out which type of acne you have, watch for patterns in your breakouts.
For example, fungal acne can get worse in heat and humidity. So, if you sweat a lot or wear tight clothing, you might be making it worse. If your acne flares up during times of hormonal changes, like your menstrual cycle, that’s a sign you might have hormonal acne.
How to Diagnose the Acne Types?
The best way to figure out what type of acne you have is to see a skincare specialist or dermatologist. They can examine your acne, review your medical history, and identify the cause of your breakouts. It could be fungal acne, which is folliculitis, or hormonal acne due to changes in your body. If you can’t visit a dermatologist, the following are some ways to diagnose your acne on your own.
- Hormonal Acne: This type of acne can show up as whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, or deep red bumps under the skin. To figure out if it’s hormonal acne, consider the skincare products you’re using, any hormonal changes you’re experiencing, and your lifestyle.
- Fungal Acne: A doctor typically needs to swab your skin to check for yeast overgrowth in your hair follicles to confirm if a fungal infection is causing your acne. You can check it at home as well. Just look at the size and location of the bumps. If they appear as small red clusters around your forehead, neck, or chin, it might be fungal acne.
Wrapping Up
Causes serve as a main ground for fungal acne vs hormonal acne. They both thrive in an oily environment. Therefore, it’s better to watch what you eat and keep your surroundings clean. You must also see a relevant doctor, as severe acne issues require skin biopsies.
Visit our primary care physicians at the Family Diagnostic Clinic. Our seasoned doctors can diagnose your issue and suggest the right treatment effectively. Call us at (281) 351-6800 to book an appointment.