What Is Fungal Acne?
Fungal acne is not traditional acne.
It is caused by yeast (Malassezia) overgrowth, not clogged pores.
It appears as:
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Small red bumps
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Itchy irritation
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Clusters on forehead, neck, chest, or back
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No visible whitehead
Why Is Fungal Acne Common in BJJ?
Grappling creates:
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Heat
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Sweat
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Occlusion from tight clothing
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Close contact with other athletes
These conditions promote yeast growth.
How Is Fungal Acne Different From Bacterial Acne?
| Fungal Acne | Bacterial Acne |
|---|---|
| Itchy | Often painful |
| Uniform small bumps | Mixed sizes |
| No head | Whitehead or pus |
| Doesn’t respond to benzoyl peroxide | Often improves with benzoyl peroxide |
How Do You Treat Fungal Acne?
Common treatments include:
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Antifungal shampoos (used as face/body wash)
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Ketoconazole creams
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Selenium sulfide formulas
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Dermatologist-prescribed antifungals
If benzoyl peroxide isn’t helping, consider fungal causes.
