The key difference between closed comedones and fungal acne is that closed comedones are a skin condition that is due to a combination of oil, bacteria, dead skin, and dirt clogging pores, while fungal acne is a skin condition that is due to an overgrowth of yeast.
Fungal acne and closed comedones are two common skin problems or conditions that are technically classified as acne. However, only one of the above skin problems is truly acneic (acne condition). Fungal acne is normally a type of folliculitis or inflammation of the hair follicles, but not an acne condition. However, closed comedones are whiteheads, also known as comedonal acne.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Closed Comedones
3. What is Fungal Acne
4. Similarities – Closed Comedones and Fungal Acne
5. Closed Comedones vs Fungal Acne in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Closed Comedones vs Fungal Acne
What are Closed Comedones?
Closed comedones are a form of acne that occurs when a pore in the skin becomes completely blocked with bacteria, dead skin cells, and excess oil. They are also called whiteheads. Once the follicles are filled, they start to create bumps on the skin. Several factors can lead to the development of closed comedones, including skin irritation from contact with oils, dyes, and similar chemical products, excessive testosterone production, and harsh contact of the skin, such as from squeezing pimples, chemical peel, or roughly exfoliating. The symptoms of this condition include small white-coloured bumps on the skin that pop up on the face, neck, chest, and back and bumps that usually do not hurt, get inflamed, or are painful, like pimples.
Figure 01: Closed Comedones
Moreover, closed comedones can be diagnosed through physical examination and skin biopsy. Furthermore, the treatment options for closed comedones may include glycolic and salicylic acid, which help to expedite dead skin cell shedding and help to prevent clogging of the pores.
What is Fungal Acne?
Fungal acne is a skin condition that occurs when hair follicles are infected with a fungus called yeast or Malassezia. The symptoms of this condition may include small, itchy, red bumps on the skin, burning, itching, and painful papules on the chin, chest, forehead, neck, upper arms, shoulders, and upper back. Several risk factors can lead to the development of fungal acne, which may include hot, damp, or sweaty skin, a weakened immune system, other fungal infections like seborrheic dermatitis or tinea versicolor, usage of a lot of oil-based moisturizers and sunscreens, usage of antibiotics, having skin rub against the skin too much, shaving, plucking or waxing hair, touching and rubbing skin frequently, and wearing tight clothes.
Figure 02: Fungal Acne
Moreover, fungal acne is diagnosed through medical history, wood lamp test, and skin biopsy. Furthermore, treatment options for fungal acne may include antifungal medications, such as fluconazole and itraconazole, topical applications like econazole, ketoconazole, selenium sulfide shampoo, and photodynamic therapy (PDT).
What are the Similarities Between Closed Comedones and Fungal Acne?
- Fungal acne and closed comedones are two common skin problems.
- They cause skin bumps in different regions of the body.
- Both these skin conditions have several risk factors.
- They can be diagnosed through physical examination and skin biopsy.
- They can be treated through topical applications.
What is the Difference Between Closed Comedones and Fungal Acne?
Closed comedones are a skin condition that is due to a combination of oil, bacteria, dead skin, and dirt clogging skin pores, while fungal acne is a skin condition that is due to an overgrowth of yeast. Thus, this is the key difference between closed comedones and fungal acne. Furthermore, closed comedones are an acne condition, while fungal acne is not an acne condition.
The below infographic presents the differences between closed comedones and fungal acne in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Closed Comedones vs Fungal Acne
Fungal acne and closed comedones are two common skin conditions. Both these skin conditions may have similar signs and symptoms, such as the development of small bumps on different regions of the body. However, closed comedones are a skin condition due to a combination of oil, bacteria, dead skin, and dirt that clog pores, while fungal acne is a skin condition that is due to an overgrowth of yeast or Malassezia. So, this is the key difference between fungal acne and closed comedones.
Reference:
1. Holland, Kimberly. “What Is Fungal Acne? Symptoms, Treatment, vs. Acne.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 3 Sept. 2020.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Comedos Nose 01” By M. Sand, D. Sand, C. Thrandorf, V. Paech, P. Altmeyer, F. G. Bechara In: Head & face medicine Band 6, 2010, S. 7, ISSN 1746-160X. doi:10.1186/1746-160X-6-7. PMID 20525327. (Review). Open Access (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Pityrosporum folliculitis 2” By Ran Yuping et al. – (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia