Impostor Acne Causes Needless Scarring in Men

October 6, 2006

Those bumpy, puss-filled, red, round things on your back…they are acne lesions right? Maybe not. You might call them “Pityrosporum folliculitis” instead.

Pityrosporum folliculitis is a fungal infection provoked by excess amounts of Pityrosporum orbicular yeasts. Papules and pustules on the chest, back and shoulders often characterize Pityrosporum folliculitis. The condition mostly affects young men and some adults over age 40.

Pityrosporum orbicular yeasts thrive in wet, hot environments which is why this condition commonly afflicts athletes.

Treatments for Pityrosporuym included exfoliating shampoos that contain 2-5% selenium sulfide or ketoconazole. Doctors can also prescribe topical and oral anti-fungal treatments.

Yet because patients typically treat the condition like acne, Pityrosporum folliculitis often results in extensive bodily scarring and skin damage.

Excessive amounts of the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes can provoke skin inflammation and acne lesions, whereas overabundance of Pityrosporum orbicular yeast induce Pityrosporum folliculitis.

Naweko San-Joyz, a chief formulator for Noixia, a professional skin care provider based in San Diego, California says, “People use our products for body acne scarring but I think the scarring would be a lot less severe if people knew for certain if they had acne vulgaris or Pityrosporum folliculitis. This way they could better plan their treatment and substantially reduce the chances of body scars.”

By performing a simple microbe analysis, your doctor or health practitioner can decide if your body pustules and papules are fungi or bacteria induced and then help you determine the best way to control the condition.

San-Joyz admits that since acne or any form of bodily scarring is a tremendously personal experience, most people will opt for self-medication before seeing a physician. “In these situations, I suggest using an OTC dandruff shampoo because the active ingredients in these substances treat yeast over population and are also indicated for potentially scarring conditions of the skin like seborrheic dermatitis,” adds San-Joyz.

Finally, determining whether or not you have Pityrosporum folliculitis is important because in some cases this condition may forewarn of an underling immunological disorder.

###

Media contact: Click here to contact Noixia

Get more Noixia News at the Noixia Press Room