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Fungal Acne vs. Closed Comedones

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Picture of Behnoush Zarrini, M.D

Behnoush Zarrini, M.D

Dr. Behnoush Zarrini is a board-certified anesthesiologist and pain medicine specialist, recognized for his contributions to aesthetic medicine as a speaker, author, founder, and medical director. As a widely published author and Forbes contributor, he is recognized for his "Zarrini" column, where he provides high-level analysis of the global aesthetics industry. His expertise has led to him being featured in and quoted by major outlets such as Grey Journal, Resident Magazine, and CEO Column, where he is often tapped to provide expert commentary on the "Ghost Doctor" epidemic. A highly awarded leader in his field, Dr. Zarrini is the founder and Medical Director of Beverly Wilshire Aesthetics. His practice has been formally recognized as the "#1 Best Botox in Los Angeles" by Resident Magazine and is currently certified by Trust Analytica as the #3 Best Med Spa in California and #9 in United States. Further solidifying his status as a respected industry authority, his philosophies on "The Anti-Medspa Revolution" have been featured in The Los Angeles Tribune, and Dine Magazine recently named his protocols "The Secret to Red-Carpet Ready Skin."

Understanding the Intricacies of Acne: Fungal vs. Closed Comedone

Acne is a common concern that affects nearly everyone at some point in their lives, yet the underlying causes vary significantly between its many types. Among these, fungal acne and closed comedones stand out as prevalent forms that often leave individuals seeking answers about their origins and potential treatments. This article delves into the world of acne, specifically unraveling the complexities of fungal acne versus closed comedones. Comedonal acne, often referred to simply as comedones, manifests as small, stubborn bumps that typically crop up on the chin and forehead. Within the realm of comedones, distinct varieties emerge [1]:

  • Whiteheads are the elusive white bumps that stubbornly cling to the skin, resisting even the most diligent attempts at removal.
  • Blackheads, on the other hand, wear a darker but equally infuriating appearance; these open comedones find their roots in clogged pores that have turned a telltale shade of black, revealing their exposure to air.
  • Solar comedones arise as a result of excessive sun damage, serving as a reminder of the skin’s vulnerability to the elements.
  • Giant comedones present as larger, more pronounced cousins to blackheads, often necessitating the intervention of a dermatologist for their extraction.
Close-up of a person's cheek and nose area showing small, uniform, skin-colored bumps and slight redness, illustrating the appearance of fungal acne and closed comedones on a dewy skin surface.
Distinguishing between fungal acne and closed comedones often requires looking at the uniformity and placement of the bumps; fungal acne typically appears as itchy, consistent clusters.
The image is a high-resolution, close-up photograph of a person's mid-face, focusing on the cheek and the side of the nose. The skin has a very luminous, "dewy" or moist finish. On the cheek area, there are several small, raised bumps. Some are skin-colored (flesh-toned), characteristic of closed comedones (whiteheads), while others show slight pink or red inflammation, which is often associated with Malassezia folliculitis (fungal acne). The bumps are relatively uniform in size and are scattered in small clusters. The lighting is bright and directional, highlighting the texture of the skin and the individual elevations of the breakouts. The person has curly reddish-brown hair visible at the edges and is wearing glossy pink lipstick and soft pink eyeshadow.
Under a magnifying glass: Fungal acne often presents as monomorphic (uniform) papules that can be easily mistaken for traditional acne, but require different treatment.

Recognizing the Difference Between Fungal Acne and Closed Comedones

Navigating through the labyrinth of acne requires not only an understanding of its forms but also a ritualistic approach to treatment. Each individual journey includes recognizing unique triggers, choosing effective therapies, and cultivating a skin care ritual that promotes healing and balance.

With knowledge comes power. Armed with insights about fungal acne and closed comedones, individuals can take the necessary steps toward clearer, healthier skin. Beverly Wilshire Aesthetics invites readers to explore the depths of their skin care rituals, and to embrace the journey toward understanding and combating acne in its various forms.

What Is Fungal Acne? The Hidden Culprit Behind Your Skin Woes

Fungal acne is a term that might initially mislead you; it doesn’t follow the traditional path of typical acne. Instead, it manifests as inflammation of the hair follicles, ignited by a fungal infection rather than the usual excess oil and bacteria. What can you expect? Imagine an annoying, itchy white bump on your skin that, at first glance, resembles a whitehead or a closed comedon. However, looks can be deceiving! The root cause is entirely different, and consequently, the treatment must be tailored to address this unique condition

How to Treat Fungal Acne

We have news for you if you are considering treating fungal acne at home. It cannot be treated with antibiotics; in fact, it might even get worse [2]. To treat fungal acne, you should get a diagnosis and a prescription from your dermatologist for antifungal treatment.

Closed Comedones vs Fungal Acne; Can You Tell the Difference Now?

Generally, fungal acne and comedones are different in three criteria:

  1. What Causes Closed Comedones: 

    The first difference between fungal acne vs. closed comedones is their root cause. If you have clogged pores with oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells on your skin, there is a high chance of developing closed comedones, whereas fungal acne is caused by an overgrowth of yeast.

  2. Closed Comedones Symptoms:

    Closed comedones vary in size. They do not itch and spread out with a red or flesh color. On the other hand, fungal acne is uniform in size, appears in clusters, and is pus-filled.

  3. How to Get Rid of Closed Comedones: 

    As mentioned, comedonal acne can be treated by topical retinoids and drying agents such as glycolic acid, salicylic acid, and benzoyl peroxide. Consider a medical grade HydraFacial or advanced resurfacing chemical peel treatment as options if you don’t have a live breakout. For fungal acne, you need antifungal medication.

High-detail portrait of a person with blonde hair and freckles, showing various non-inflammatory skin-colored bumps and closed comedones across the cheeks and bridge of the nose.
Closed comedones, or "whiteheads," appear as small, flesh-colored bumps trapped under the skin’s surface, giving the complexion an uneven texture.

How to Tell Closed Comedones vs Fungal Acne

This table summarizes everything discussed above:

 

Closed Comedones

Fungal Acne
Cause Sebum Overproduction Overgrowth Of Yeast Within Hair Follicles
Look Small, Red, or Flesh-Colored Bumps Small Bumps That Look Like a Whitehead Acne
Feel No Pain, No Inflammation Itchy, Burning Sensation
Treatment HydraFacial, Chemical Peel, Acne Facial Salicylic acid, Glycolic acid, benzoyl peroxide, retinoids Antifungal medication

Reclaim Your Skin with BWA's Clinical Expertise

In this article, we explained everything about fungal acne vs. closed comedones. Now, you know the cause, the look, the feel, and the treatment for each one of them. However, if you need a trusted dermatologist, let us introduce Beverly Willshire Aesthetics.

Dr. Zarrini and our team of specialists here at BWA are well-known for performing non-invasive skin treatments. We can guide you through every procedure to help reach your skin goal. Complete the quick form below and a skin luminary will reach out to go over options and start the first steps of your  Skin Ascension™.

FAQ for Fungal Acne vs. Closed Comedones

  • Are closed comedones fungal acne?

    No, they are different conditions. Fungal acne is actually a type of hair follicle inflammation (folliculitis) caused by yeast, whereas closed comedones are caused by a buildup of oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells.

  • How can I tell the difference between the two by looking at them?

    Closed comedones vary in size and are typically red or flesh-colored. Fungal acne is "monomorphic," meaning the bumps are uniform in size and often appear in clusters of small, white, pus-filled papules.

  • Does fungal acne feel different than regular acne?

    Yes. While closed comedones are generally painless and non-inflammatory, fungal acne is characterized by an itchy or burning sensation.

  • Can I squeeze or pop fungal acne bumps?

    No, you should not squeeze fungal acne. Doing so can spread the fungal infection to other hair follicles and worsen the condition.

  • Will my regular acne medication work on fungal acne?

    Generally, no. Common acne treatments like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid work for comedones, but fungal acne requires specific antifungal medication prescribed by a dermatologist. In fact, using antibiotics on fungal acne may even make the condition worse.

  • What causes closed comedones to form?

    They are primarily caused by the overproduction of sebum (oil) that clogs pores. You can help prevent them by cleansing regularly and using oil-free skincare products.

Clinical References

  1. Cunliffe WJ, Holland DB, Jeremy A. Comedone formation: etiology, clinical presentation, and treatment. Clin Dermatol. 2004;22(5):367-374. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2004.03.011

  2. Rubenstein RM, Malerich SA. Malassezia (Pityrosporum) folliculitis. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014;7(3):37-41. PMCID: PMC3970831.

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