Issue link: https://www.ascpskindeepdigital.com/i/1517908
ASCP SkinPro got a glow-up! Check out new app content at ascpskincare.com/skinpro 69 "Fungal skin conditions involve pathogenic fungi that can cause infections on the skin," Crumm says. "Common fungal skin conditions include ringworm, athlete's foot, and fungal acne. These conditions are caused by different fungi and are unrelated to the beneficial fungi used in skin care products." Benjamin Knight Fuchs, RPh, says that while the fungi kingdom consists of more than 144,000 species (including yeasts, molds, mildews, and mushrooms), skin care ingredients typically only use compounds derived from mushrooms and yeasts. "While it's indisputable that the compounds can have important benefits when applied topically (as well as when ingested internally), it's also true that various health challenges, conditions, and illnesses can be caused by infections associated with the overgrowth of certain fungi, particularly yeasts and molds," Knight Fuchs says. "Nonetheless, these types of infectious illnesses involve hyperproliferative states of fungal microorganisms that are of a completely different biological and biochemical nature than the yeasts, mushrooms, and their extracts that are used in skin care products." In other words, that fungus in your reishi face cream is very different from the fungus causing issues on the surface of your client's skin. COMMON FUNGAL SKIN CONDITIONS You will likely come across at least one fungal skin condition in your treatment room. They can occur all over the body, including on the face and scalp. Here are a few of the most common conditions to be aware of. Fungal Acne The main type of fungal skin condition you may encounter in the treatment room is fungal acne. Unlike acne vulgaris, which is caused by clogged pores or bacteria on the skin, fungal acne results from an overgrowth of yeast on the skin. It can typically be identified by small, red papules or pustules that form in clusters on the face, chest, and back. Crumm says excessive moisture and sweating can contribute to fungal acne. Therefore, it's more commonly seen during the summer months and in more humid climates. Because it's caused by fungus and not bacteria, fungal acne requires a unique approach to treatment. "Antifungal treatments like ketoconazole may be recommended," Crumm says. "Skin care professionals may suggest noncomedogenic products." Fungal acne is commonly misdiagnosed as acne vulgaris because the two can appear similar. It can also be mistaken for bacterial folliculitis, the inflammation of hair follicles caused by bacterial infection. Not only will antibiotic treatments be ineffective in treating fungal acne, but they could potentially make things worse by altering the skin's microbiome and causing more yeast to grow. Many cases of fungal acne persist for years because people mistakenly think they have acne vulgaris, when an antifungal treatment would have been highly effective all along. 17 Therefore, it's important to recommend clients see a dermatologist if their condition persists or is nonresponsive to traditional acne treatments. Seborrheic Dermatitis Seborrheic dermatitis, which is caused exclusively by fungus, is another common fungal infection that estheticians might encounter, Hu points out. "This condition often appears as red, dry, and scaly patches on the eyebrows, scalp, sides of the nose, and other oily parts of the face," she says. "Most over-the-counter products like hydrocortisone cream can soothe and soften the skin, but if the condition seems to be migrating to other parts of the body or becomes more