This type of acne occurs as a result of infected hair follicles. When the follicle becomes infected this can create clusters of small papules, in all shapes, colours and sizes on the skin which can be itchy, inflamed and red.

When the papules get bigger, they turn into pustules and can have a yellow/green colour to them which indicates that they are now filled with pus. Anyone can obtain fungal acne, however, it is more common in males and teenagers, because they tend to have more surface oil in the area.

People who live in humid environments, have a weak immune system, individuals who exercise a lot and sweat more or who use a lot of oil-based moisturisers can have an increase in clogged follicles.

Fungal Acne risk can be caused by:
– Consistent rubbing or friction against the skin
– The skin being left moist/damp or hot
– Shaving
– Wearing restrictive clothing.

The most common areas for fungal acne are the chin, forehead, shoulders, chest, upper back, neck and upper arms.

Fungal Acne can be confused with common acne only because both acne types include inflammation of the hair follicles.

Common acne occurs when the follicle becomes blocked with deris, bacteria or oil and fungal acne is an infection in the follicle.

Deep papules that are filled with pus on the skin can be referred to as Cystic Acne. Being deep under the skin means that they can be more sensitive to pain and can grow larger. This type of acne is more prone to scarring.

Having too many dead skin cells and producing too much oil allows the bacteria to enter the skin and causes the pores to become inflamed. When this happens, the acne can become crusty, tender to the touch, and oozing with pus.

Cystic acne is more likely to affect teenagers, especially during hormonal changes. It can also occur in later in life for example, women transitioning through the menopause.

Nodular Acne – This type of acne is the most aggressive, it contains lumps under the skin alongside red lumps on the surface if the skin. These are not filled with pus or blackheads in the middle. Nodular acne can last for months and can be very painful.  Cutibacterium is a type of bacteria that gets trapped under the skin and goes into the nodules, this then becomes inflamed and can result in infection.

Anyone is prone to getting this type of acne, however, is most common in young males after birth.

There are lots of different causes of nodular acne and it occurs when the pores become clogged and traps dead skin cells underneath the skin. The hair follicles and sebum become stuck, and this is when the pain and inflammation begin.

Contribution factors of Nodular acne are:

• Excess sweating, for example, wearing clothes against sweat or people who have a condition for extensive sweating.
• Genetics
• Hormones
• Medications
• Stress/anxiety
• Skincare products – using the wrong products and block the pores

Symptoms of nodular acne include firm lumps on the skin, these can be felt underneath the skin and normally appear on the face, chest and back in men from birth and jawline or chin with women. There can be a lot of pain in the area and the raised lumps can be red and inflamed or can sometime be the same colour as the skin.

To try and avoid getting nodular acne, keep the skin clear, using gentle cleansers, controlling stress levels and ensuring the skin is using the correct products.

Hormonal acne can consist of papules, blackheads, pustules and cysts on the face, chest, shoulders and back. It affects adults more during the ages of 20-50 and is therefore also known as adult acne.

Papules become raised on the skin and are 2-5mm, whereas pustules are skin bumps that contain a white liquid called pus and range between 2-5mm. Cysts are sacs that have fluid, and they can appear anywhere in the body.

When hormones become imbalanced it can influence the skin to create an over production of sebum. The main reason for clogged pores are due to excess bacteria on the skin, the build-up of dead skin cells and the sebaceous glands creating too much oil.

Controlling your stress levels, how many hours of sleep you get and using the correct products can all contribute to how your skin changes and can control your hormone levels. However, there are certain causes that you cannot control, and this would be things such as family history of acne, side effects from medication (mainly steroids), any pre-existing medical conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome and men undergoing testosterone treatment.