Summer 2018 Skin Care Routine

The dog days of summer are finally here and I wanted to share exactly what I’ve been using to continue keeping Pityrosporum folliculitis at bay during these hot and sweaty months.

And, for those of you who are cost-conscious, don’t fret! I tend to keep things pretty conservative when it comes to my skin and my wallet.

So, here is my Summer 2018 Skin Care Routine:

Skin Care Routine (Mornings)

In the mornings, depending on personal preference and how my skin looks, I either:

Rinse my face with water only, or
I use the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, or
Mario Badescu’s Enzyme Cleansing Gel

My final rinse is always with cool water. Then, I pat my skin dry with a clean towel.

I moisturize with a pea-sized amount of Yes to Carrots Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15*

And, viola! That’s it! I like to go au-natural as much as I can so I skip the makeup during most summer days.

Skin Care Routine (Evenings)

In the evenings, again, depending on personal preference and how my skin looks, I either:

Wash my face with water only (when I have not worn makeup that day), or
I use the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, or
Mario Badescu’s Enzyme Cleansing Gel

My final rinse is always with cool water. Then, I pat my skin dry with a clean towel.

Depending on whether or not I need a deeper facial cleanse, I may use Burt’s Bees Deep Pore Scrub.

I rinse my face a few more times with cool water and pat my skin dry with a clean towel.

For my evening moisturizer, I either use:

Yes to Carrots Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15* (yep, even occasionally in the evenings), or
1-2 drops of argan oil*, or
Nothing at all.

Skin Care Routine (Evenings) – After Wearing Makeup

I used to slather either Cerave or any old moisturizer I had lying around to remove my makeup, but nowadays Mario Badescu’s Enzyme Cleansing Gel works not only as a great cleanser, but also an excellent makeup remover. My skin never feels stripped or dry afterwards and it does a pretty good job at removing makeup, including mascara!
After rinsing, often times I follow up with an exfoliant like Burt’s Bees Deep Pore Scrub.

I rinse my face a few times with cool water and pat my skin dry with a clean towel.

For my moisturizer, I either use:

Yes to Carrots Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 15*, or
1-2 drops of argan oil*, or
Nothing at all.

If you’ve read how to prepare for summer if you have Pityrosporum folliculitis then you can understand how apprehensive I was about introducing a sunscreen AND an oil into my regimen! Just thinking about it makes me really nervous. But, it’s been a few months and so far, so good. In fact, I haven’t had any bouts of PF in almost a year! I do, occasionally, get blemishes and pimples, but no more than one or two at a time. Still, diligence during these months makes for a worthwhile payoff year round.

So, that’s it! These five products last all summer long and maybe even into the Fall if I’m not too heavy-handed!

Oh, hi there big, beautiful dark circles of mine – July 2018.

*If you’re interested in trying a similar routine and are currently experiencing a bout of PF, skip the argan oil and the Yes to Carrots Moisturizer SP15. Instead, opt for something much lighter and safer like Cerave Daily Moisturizing Lotion. This and several of my all-time favorite Pityrosporum folliculitis products can be read about right here!

What’s your routine? Share below how you keep your skin bump-free during the summer months!

July 28, 2018/6 Comments/by Marjorie

My Skin Journey

My Favorite Products for Pityrosporum Folliculitis

I’ve decided to compile a list of my favorite products for Pityrosporum folliculitis (PF). In other words, these are my holy grails! These are the products that have helped me with Pityrosporum folliculitis or PF-related symptoms and are products that’ll always have my back. Truthfully, it’s a list I wish I had found online several years ago and it’s also a list I can still rely on even after my skin has cleared. Win, win, right?!

So, ahem, drum roll, please…

**My Favorite Products for Pityrosporum Folliculitis:**

1. Nizoral Shampoo

Nizoral AD Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

The amount of success so many people have had with using Nizoral has rightfully earned this product a spot on this list. Whether you’ve watched the YouTube videos I’ve posted or someone else’s, the positive comments people have left seem to speak for themselves. And, just in case you’ve never heard of this product now is a good time to look into it. Like, right now! And, just for the record, I no longer need to use this to treat PF, but I always have a bottle on hand just in case! Check out this post to read more about my experience using Nizoral.

2. Clay Products

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay

One of the symptoms people with Pityrosporum folliculitis often deal with is oily and sweaty skin. A weekly clay treatment can be extremely beneficial if you frequently deal with oil and sweat. Clay naturally works to remove impurities and excess oil, as well as tighten pores. With lots of different clays on the market, like the one above or this one, men and women equally can do an in-home treatment and reap enormous benefit. I know I have!

3. Probiotics

Nature’s Bounty Probiotic 10

Probiotics have quickly made their way to the top of most lists in the health industry because of their ability to balance both the good and the bad bacteria. So, when your gut is in good health, so are other areas of your body, including your skin. Reduce your dairy, bread, and sugar intake, and consider taking a daily probiotic which has been shown to be an added boost to the skin. Here’s the one I’ve been taking for over a year now!

4. A Gentle Cleanser

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

If you’re looking for help in dealing with Pityrosporum folliculitis, a gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip your skin dry must be on that list. There are several gentle cleansers on the market so testing a few should help in deciding which you like best. Here’s the one that I currently use and have been using for some time now; it’s definitely my go-to cleanser.

5. An Oil-free Moisturizer

Cerave Daily Moisturizing Lotion

If you experience oily skin and think skipping the moisturizer is a good idea, think again! After cleansing, opt for an oil-free moisturizer to keep your skin balanced and hydrated throughout the day. No heavy, thick, or rich creams which only exacerbate Pityrosporum folliculitis! A pea or dime-sized amount of a light moisturizer like this one is all that’s needed to maintain your skin’s proper moisture levels throughout the day. It always does just what I need!

That’s it, guys! My favorite products for Pityrosporum folliculitis and/or related symptoms are Nizoral shampoo, probiotics, clay products, a gentle cleanser, and an oil-free moisturizer! These are the products that have been the most helpful in keeping this condition at bay for me.

I should also note that simply because I’ve had success with a product doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll have the same results. I sure hope you do but, at the very least, it just means these products may be worth looking into.

Are there other products on the market that could be just as helpful? Yes, of course! Check out this post to look into several others.

Once you discover what works, the key is to stick with it and repeat that process over and over again for positive results. If you’re ever in doubt, just remember to keep things simple; less is always more!

If you think I should look into another great product you’ve had success with, please share it with me down in the comments! I’m always interested in hearing what everyone else is using!

Have you tried any of these? What are some of your favorite products?

June 30, 2018/4 Comments/by Marjorie

My Skin Journey

Spring 2017 Skin Care Routine

Every day I take extra measures to maintain clear, bump-free skin and keep Pityrosporum folliculitis at bay. The products I carefully select and consistently use have made a huge difference. And, while my skin care routine may vary depending on the season and the condition of my skin, some products will always be staples. For those of you who are interested, I’ve decided to post my Spring 2017 skin care routine just to give you an idea of what has helped me this season. For my most current skin care routine, check out this post.

So, without further ado, here is my Spring 2017 Skin Care Routine:

Skin Care Routine (Mornings)

In the mornings, I either:

Wash my face with water only or I use the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser.
My final rinse is always with cool water. Then, I pat my skin dry with a clean towel.
I either don’t use a moisturizer or I use Cerave Moisturizing Lotion. I currently do not use a toner. Since on most days I don’t wear any makeup, I stop right here. On the days that I do wear makeup, I always use a moisturizer before applying my makeup.

Skin Care Routine Regimen (Evenings)

In the evenings, I either:

Wash my face with water only or,
I use the Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser or Bentonite Clay (between 2-3 times a week).
My final rinse is always with cool water. Then, I pat my skin dry with a clean towel.
I then hop in the shower. Depending on whether or not I feel as if I need a deeper facial cleanse, I’ll use Burt’s Bees Deep Pore Scrub in the shower. Afterwards, I rinse my face a few more times with cool water and pat my skin dry with a clean towel once I get out.
I either don’t use a moisturizer or I use Cerave Moisturizing Lotion, Argan Oil (just under my eyes or on dry patches of skin), or Estee Lauder Night Serum.
Last but certainly not least, every single night I take my daily probiotics and multi-vitamin.

Skin Care Routine (Evenings) – After Wearing Makeup

I have yet to find a makeup remover that removes all of my makeup, won’t clog my pores and is gentle enough on my skin. If you have recommendations, please share!

Currently, I slather either Cerave Moisturizing Lotion or any old moisturizer I have lying around. And when I mean slather, I mean slather right on top of my makeup. I then use a warm and damp wash cloth to remove all traces of makeup. I repeat these steps until my results are satisfactory.
I then follow up with an exfoliant like Burt’s Bees Deep Pore Scrub to remove any remaining makeup and left-over moisturizer.
Afterwards, I rinse my face a few times, and the final rinse is always with cool water. Pat my skin dry with a clean towel.

How do I decide which products to use when I have more than one listed as an option? It all depends on the appearance of my skin. If my skin appears dry, I simply wash with water. If my skin appears a tad bit oily or looks as if a blemish is on its way, then I may opt for the cleanser versus a water-only wash. If my skin is dry in some areas or I plan on wearing makeup that day, I’ll use a moisturizer. Otherwise, I’ll skip it.

The bottom line is I always assess the appearance of my skin before applying any product. And when wearing makeup or when I’m dealing with a blemish or a breakout, I add in a few extra steps to properly care for my skin.

You’ll notice Nizoral is not a part of my daily skin care routine. This is because I no longer need to use it consistently to maintain clear skin. Now, don’t get me wrong. If I’m experiencing bumps that just won’t go away after a week or so and I suspect they’re PF -related, I’ll whip out the Nizoral for a day or two and that usually seems to do it. Nevertheless, I find when I keep things really simple is when my skin looks its best.

What about you? Do you have a similar routine? Do tell! Share your routine on how you keep your skin bump-free.

June 2, 2017/0 Comments/by Marjorie

My Skin Journey

Using Nizoral Shampoo to Treat Pityrosporum Folliculitis

Let’s just go ahead and address the biggest elephant in the room, shall we?! The thought of using shampoo on anything other than your hair is ridiculous, right? Well, hear me out…

Discovering Nizoral Shampoo

I first heard about using Nizoral Shampoo for Pityrosporum folliculitis while surfing through an online forum several years ago. That’s right – shampoo for your hair or your skin! I couldn’t believe it really, but that didn’t stop me from heading to my local grocery store to grab a bottle of the shampoo. What stopped me was the fact that I couldn’t find it so I moved on.

Fast forward yet another year and I was still looking online for a solution to the itchy bumps on my forehead that wouldn’t go away. While visiting multiple websites, Nizoral Shampoo resurfaced yet again in the discussion. Many said this particular shampoo quickly treated those acne-like bumps. So I ventured out again and this time I found it! And that, my friend, is when everything changed.

After a couple of years of trying to get rid of those tiny bumps on my forehead, they were gone within days of using Nizoral Shampoo. Just like that – gone! I was speechless.

Now I should say I had already started making progress with my skin prior to using Nizoral. With a consistent skin care regimen, my forehead was beginning to show signs of progress in comparison to previous years. But, I’ll also be the first to tell you, there was still room for improvement. And that’s exactly what this product did – it improved things considerably.

Nizoral Shampoo for Pityrosporum Folliculitis:

Here’s exactly how I used Nizoral Shampoo as a treatment for Pityrosporum Folliculitis:

Preparation: A day before I conducted a skin patch test in an inconspicuous area (i.e. the inside of the arm) to check for any adverse skin reactions. Also, prior to using this product, I did not wash my face. My skin was dry (not wet) and sans any product (no makeup, moisturizer, etc.).

Duration: Morning and night for 10-15 minutes for 10 consecutive days.

STEP 1 :

I applied a thin layer of the shampoo directly onto my skin.

Nizoral Shampoo for Pityrosporum Folliculitis

STEP 2:

After 10-15 minutes, I wet my fingertips and gently lathered the area.

Nizoral Shampoo for Pityrosporum Folliculitis

STEP 3:

I removed all traces of the product with water.

Nizoral Shampoo for Pityrosporum Folliculitis

STEP 4:

I used a clean towel to gently pat dry.

Nizoral Shampoo for Pityrosporum Folliculitis

The images shown above are for demonstration purposes and do not show an actual rash or infection. To see actual images of Malassezia* (Pityrosporum) Folliculitis, please visit the Homepage.

So, I essentially used Nizoral Shampoo as a forehead mask for 10 days morning and night. The remainder of my face (everything but my forehead), I washed with a facial cleanser. No additional products were applied to my forehead afterwards. In fact, at no point throughout those 10 days did I apply anything but Nizoral to my forehead. Personally, I thought it was best if I allowed the product to work “its magic”, if you will, without any external influences like moisturizer or makeup.

By day two or three, I could clearly see a big difference in the texture of my skin. Some of the bumps were either already gone or soon-to-be-gone. And by the final day, my forehead wasn’t just clear, it was baby smooth!

I posted two videos on my YouTube channel and discussed how to get rid of forehead bumps with Nizoral Shampoo as well as how I used Nizoral Shampoo to treat Pityrosporum (Malassezia) Folliculitis. By the way, my video How To Get Rid of Tiny Forehead Bumps, has reached nearly a million views! In other words, you’re not alone.

Potential Side Effects

Some potential side effects of using Nizoral Shampoo on the skin include, but are not limited to, dryness, peeling, and redness at the site of application. Reducing the amount used or the frequency in application could combat this. Additionally, conducting a skin patch test in an inconspicuous area beforehand may help in determining other potential adverse reactions prior to using this product.

Why Nizoral Works

The active ingredient in Nizoral 1% Shampoo is ketoconazole. I discuss ketoconazole in-depth in this blog post. It’s actually really interesting and worth reading if you ask me. But, in short, ketoconazole is commonly used to treat fungal infections of the skin. You might be wondering what in the world is an antifungal agent doing in an anti-dandruff shampoo. Well, one of the causes of dandruff is an overgrowth of a yeast-like fungus. Sound familiar? So ketoconazole works to treat the dandruff by targeting this yeast-like fungus. And, interestingly enough, the fungus species responsible for dandruff is the same species responsible for Pityrosporum folliculitis and other skin-related conditions like seborrheic/atopic dermatitis, pityriasis versicolor and others. So, that’s why Nizoral works – its key ingredient isn’t simply antidandruff, it’s also antifungal!

Prescription-Strength Nizoral

If you’ve received a prescription for Nizoral from your doctor, then chances are the Nizoral you’ve been prescribed contains 2% ketoconazole verses the over-the-counter 1% ketoconazole found in Nizoral 1% Shampoo. It’s typically prescribed to treat tinea (pityriasis) versicolor and other fungal infections of the skin.

Nizoral Has Not Been Approved to Treat Pityrosporum Folliculitis

It is important to mention Nizoral Shampoo is not FDA approved to treat Pityrosporum folliculitis. Hence, it has neither been tested for the usage described above nor do the directions specify it should be used to treat anything other than dandruff. Please don’t rely solely on the information presented here and always read labels, warnings, and directions before using any product. And, as always, be sure to talk with your doctor about any questions and concerns you might have. And, again, before using a new product, a skin patch test is always a good idea prior to applying over a larger area of skin.

Contacting Johnson & Johnson

I reached out to the Consumer Care Center at Johnson & Johnson, the makers of Nizoral Shampoo, and informed them of my positive experience with using this product. I’m not the first person nor am I the last person to use this product quite like this, so I wanted to share my experience. After all, I consider Nizoral Shampoo to be a game-changer for Pityrosporum folliculitis! Furthermore, if for some reason, it’s ever discontinued, we’re all screwed. Royally.

Anyways, I ended up speaking with a representative several days after filling out an online form where I mentioned I’d love to see a similar product formulated specifically to treat or help treat Pityrosporum folliculitis. I even inquired about any research and development opportunities. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t done my own research into having a product like this formulated. There’s no way my entrepreneur spirit would’ve allowed me to pass that up. Aside from the clinical studies and so forth, there’s a lot involved to formulate a product containing a drug. And, by “a lot involved,” I mean a lot of money. Like a lot, a lot.

In the end, I answered a lot of questions about my experience with the product and provided some demographic information that I’m assuming they’ll use for research. No response from them regarding the R&D opportunities, though. The love was not lost. I just hope my feedback was helpful.

Was Nizoral a One-Time Use?

Unfortunately, the positive results I experienced did not last forever. I had to dust out my secret weapon approximately two months later, which is why I always have a bottle on hand just in case. I would imagine I’d need to use it a lot more frequently if my skin care regimen weren’t as solid as it is. Check out my skin care regimen here to find out how I keep my skin clear and under control.

Did I get the same baby smooth results after every application of this product? Yes! No flukes here! Still not convinced? Don’t forget about all those YouTube comments from people all over the world who have had success, too!

And that’s it! For other products that could possibly help in treating PF, check out these blog posts: Treatment Options for Pityrosporum Folliculitis and My Favorite Products for Pityrosporum Folliculitis!

Have you ever used Nizoral Shampoo for Pityrosporum folliculitis? What were your results? Please share in the comments below!

June 2, 2017/29 Comments/by Marjorie

The Basics

What’s Pityrosporum Folliculitis?

What exactly is Pityrosporum folliculitis? Pityrosporum folliculitis is also known as Malassezia folliculitis. Malassezia is a yeast commonly found on skin and is generally harmless. Generally. The problem occurs when the environment is ripe causing these yeast to overgrow and invade hair follicles thus causing a fungal infection of the skin. Often times the result is an acne-like eruption. In fact, this condition looks so much like acne it’s often misdiagnosed as such!

15 year-old girl with Pityrosporum Folliculitis – Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med.2005;159(1):64-67. doi:10.1001/archpedi.159.1.64 (Image Credit)

The key difference between Malassezia or Pityrosporum folliculitis and acne is the itch that some say they experience with this condition. Itchiness, as you might know, is a common symptom of fungal infections.

One other notable difference between Pityrosporum folliculitis and acne is the lack of response to acne treatment. Frankly, acne medications won’t work on Pityrosporum folliculitis for the same reason why they won’t work on Athlete’s Foot. Two entirely different skin conditions.

Aside from acne products being completely ineffective against this skin condition, here’s another reason why you may want to avoid using them. Many acne medications work by killing bacteria but this only allows for yeasts like Malassezia to flourish. In the absence of bacteria, yeasts have the ability to consume all of the resources and nutrients they would’ve normally had to compete for. Kill the bacteria and you aren’t just helping yeast live; you’re helping them thrive.

Now, here’s where things get a little tricky: acne can still be present along with Pityrosporum folliculitis. Yes, you read that correctly. This means you could have acne and an overgrowth of this yeast at the same time. How? Well, oily skin is a risk factor for both of these conditions. The same oil that clogs your pores and causes acne is the same oil this yeast feeds off of.

If you think you’re experiencing acne and Pityrosporum folliculitis, try to tackle one condition at a time to avoid complicating matters. In case you’re wondering which should you try to resolve first, the answer is folliculitis. Since we know acne treatments may worsen Pityrosporum folliculitis, it’s best to use them only after you have successfully treated the folliculitis.

Still, just like other fungal infections of the skin, there’s a possibility of recurrence; so, even after successful treatment, Pityrosporum folliculitis can come back. Again, think Athlete’s Foot. Just because you got rid of it once doesn’t mean it can’t come back again. Therefore, it’s important to know what the risk factors are and how to prevent it in the first place.

**The risk factors for Pityrosporum folliculitis include, but are not limited to:**

Obesity
Pregnancy
Diabetes
Stress
Taking broad-spectrum antibiotics
Taking steroid medication
Using oral contraceptives
Having a systemic illness
Having a weakened immune system
Excessive heat and/or sweating
Oily, greasy, sebum-rich environment/skin
Tight, restrictive clothing

Studies have shown this condition has also been found in healthy individuals, as well.

**Here are the top ways to prevent Pityrosporum folliculitis or reduce the likelihood of recurrence:**

Spend less time in hot, humid and sweaty environments
Keep yourself cool and dry
Shower after sweating
Wear loose, breathable clothing and especially if exercising or engaging in strenuous activity
Avoid applying greasy and oil-based products to the skin and hair
Limit usage of broad-spectrum antibiotics and steroid medications unless necessary
Boost immune system and maintain a healthy diet
Take a daily probiotic like this one or this one.
Reduce stress

Finally, Pityrosporum folliculitis can occur wherever hair follicles are located, but typically appears on the face, back, neck, chest, and shoulders. It can affect young to middle-aged people, males and females and, unfortunately, is a lot more common than we might think.

Nevertheless, this condition is usually only discovered after months and sometimes years of unsuccessfully trying to resolve what is thought to be acne.

If you suspect you have Pityrosporum folliculitis, it’s always a good idea to get confirmation from a licensed dermatologist. If you suspect you might have both acne and Pityrosporum folliculitis, well, a licensed dermatologist can help with confirming that, too.

And, here’s the good news: just like acne, depending on the severity, you may be able to treat this condition effectively at home. Click here to read what might help.

References:

Ayers K, Sweeney SM, Wiss K. Pityrosporum Folliculitis Diagnosis and Management in 6 Female Adolescents with Acne Vulgaris. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med.2005;159(1):64-67. doi:10.1001/archpedi.159.1.64
Ayers K, Sweeney SM, Wiss K. Pityrosporum Folliculitis Diagnosis and Management in 6 Female Adolescents with Acne Vulgaris. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med.2005;159(1):64-67. doi:10.1001/archpedi.159.1.64 (Image Credit)
Dermatology Online Journal 19(8). 2013. De Andrade, V., Dias, A.C. Pityrosporum Folliculitis in an immunocompetent individual: clinical case description. http://escholarship.org/uc/item/94d335b1
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology [Internet]. Kirksville (MO).; 2017. Pityrosporum Folliculitis; [ cited 2017 Feb 5]; [about 2 p.]. Available from: http://aocd.site-ym.com/?page=PityrosporumFollicu

June 2, 2017/4 Comments/by Marjorie

Open Discussions

The Video That Went Viral

When I created this YouTube video in 2016 I had no idea it would receive nearly as many views as it has. A year later, this video has been viewed over half a million times and has approximately 700 comments, and growing. On average, it receives anywhere from 30,000 to 65,000 views each month, and by far is the most watched video on my channel! Whether it’s related to Pityrosporum folliculitis or not, it’s evident there are people all over the world who are dealing and searching for a solution to the small, persistent, and stubborn bumps like the ones I had.

While this video is only a small synopsis of Pityrosporum folliculitis, based upon the numerous comments I’ve received and the follow-up emails, this video may have offered people who are dealing with this condition a glimpse of hope. In case you haven’t seen it, you can click the video to view it or you can read the transcript provided below.

*Please Note: In this video, I mention one treatment option and a few risk factors, however, there are several other treatment options and additional risk factors to consider. Check out this comprehensive blog post What is Pityrosporum Folliculitis to learn more about them.

Hi guys, welcome back to my channel. I wanted to talk about these tiny, annoying, pesky little bumps on your forehead. You have tried salicylic acid. You have tried benzoyl peroxide. You have tried almost every single acne product on the market and they do not seem to work. What is going on?

Pityrosporum folliculitis or Malassezia folliculitis is caused by proliferation of a yeast within the hair follicles. What? So, basically it is a yeast. On the surface of the skin, it looks like it is acne except it isn’t. One distinguishable difference between acne and this yeast is the itchiness it causes. If the bumps you’re experiencing are accompanied by an occasional itch, chances are you may have this yeast present. However, ironically, acne may be present, too; due to the fact that skin oiliness is one of the factors that can lead to this condition, and also, as you know, acne. More on that later.

Surprisingly, malassezia or pityrosporum can actually be found on the skin of most adults; the thing is an over-proliferation of this yeast is usually what causes this acne-like breakout to occur, and like any yeast or fungus an over-proliferation occurs only when the conditions are ripe. Then things go crazy!

One more important point to make. While the title of this video is tiny bumps on forehead, this condition can actually be present on the upper back, the chest, the shoulders, and the neck. It can really be found in quite a few different place. But I have found when we are talking about acne and when we are talking about skin care, a lot of people have mentioned this tiny bump-like eruption on the forehead.

How did you get Pityrosporum folliculitis? Or how did you get malassezia folliculitis? Going back to what I said earlier, it can occur from oily skin. Other factors include obesity, stress, fatigue, or pregnancy. Even a systemic illness that can cause a weakening in your immune system or taking certain broad spectrum antibiotics and medications can also be factors.

How can you tell if you have Pityrosporum folliculitis? A clinical diagnosis can be determined by either visually observing the area or microscopically having a skin biopsy done. Sounds intense, I know.

The good news is treatment is entirely way more straight-forward. If you don’t have the time or, let’s face it, the money to go see a doctor, determining whether or not you have acne or a yeast present can be as simple as applying a topical treatment to treat yeast, and seeing if it works.

Nizoral AD Shampoo is a commonly used product used to treat this type of yeast. Its active ingredient is Ketoconazole. Ketoconazole is an anti-dandruff, anti-fungal agent. Basically, it treats dandruff, it kills yeast and kills fungus.

Apply a thin layer of this product over the affected areas twice a day – morning and night – for ten days. It is recommended that you leave it on the skin for ten to fifteen minutes before washing off.

If you notice a significant improvement after the ten day application, more than likely an over-growth of this yeast was present and the cause of the bumps you saw on your forehead.

If you notice mild improvement, both acne and an overgrowth of this yeast may have been present and may still be present. After a ten day treatment of this product, try treating the remainder of the bumps you have with acne remedies and acne solutions to see if you notice a difference.

Lastly, if you did not notice any improvement, more than likely an overgrowth of this yeast is not present. It could simply be acne that is causing the bumps on your forehead.

For more information on how to treat acne and acne skin care, please check out my other videos. Please make sure you like, comment and subscribe and please let me know what other videos you would like to see in the future. Talk to you guys later. Bye.

*June 2017 Update: There are several other treatment options and risk factors for this condition. Check out these blog posts What is Pityrosporum Folliculitis and Treatment Options for Pityrosporum Folliculitis to learn more!

June 2, 2017/0 Comments/by Marjorie

The Basics

How To Prepare for Summer If You Have Pityrosporum Folliculitis

Summer is here and if you haven’t already, it’s time to get out those khaki shorts, sunglasses, open-toe sandals, and whatever else summer designates! This, by far, is my favorite season of the year until about late July – around the time I start complaining about the humidity. As much as I hate being cold, when you feel sticky after being outdoors for only a few minutes, that’s when I begin rethinking my outdoor life. I mean, seriously, I rethink it. I plan everything around how much time I’ll be spending out in the sun. From the clothing I wear to how much makeup I apply, I think about everything.

So, why am I sharing this with you? To simply prepare you for Summer if you have or have had Pityrosporum folliculitis.

One of the risk factors for Pityrosporum folliculitis is excessive sweating and heat. Meaning this condition could peak or flare up as the weather gets warmer. In fact, this video I posted had nearly 68,000 views in August 2016 alone, the most views out of any other month of the year (typically this number is between 30-40,000 views). Coincidence? Maybe. Or, perhaps as it warms up and people sweat more, it increases the chance of a flare up (whether on the forehead or somewhere else on your skin).

But by no means does that mean you should refrain from enjoying outdoor activities. Please don’t let that deter you. After all, it’s summer! It just means if you’ve had or currently have Pityrosporum folliculitis, you’ll need to take some precaution and plan ahead much like I do.

**Here are some ways I keep Pityrosporum folliculitis at bay during the warmer months:**

Consider taking a lukewarm or cool shower more than once a day if you’re prone to sweating.
Limit the amount of time you spend in direct sunlight.
Don’t wear heavy or greasy lotions and sunscreens.
Keep makeup to a minimum if you wear any.
Consider wearing a powder foundation instead of a liquid foundation.
Keep your hair and scalp free of greasy/oily products and thick pomades.
Keep hair off and away from your face.
Lower the windows or turn on the air conditioner in the car several minutes before getting in.
Consider parking in a shaded area or parking garage if you park outdoors.
Wear loose, breathable clothing. Don’t wear anything that clings to the skin.
Refrain from wearing baseball caps, headwraps or sweatbands that can trap sweat and moisture against the skin.
Keep the temperature inside your home within a reasonable range.

Some of these tips can be applied year-round and not necessarily only during the warm weather months.

Personal side note: Around the time when I first began experiencing this condition I didn’t have a fully-functioning air conditioner in my apartment for at least two consecutive summers. I did have a very old window unit in my bedroom, but unfortunately it wasn’t nearly as powerful as it sounded. Needless to say, on most Summer days, my 600 sq./ft. apartment always felt like a furnace! The crazy thing is, it didn’t bother me too much (I used inexpensive window fans and, again, I enjoy being warm), but I had no idea my toasty apartment was actually making matters worse for my skin.

If you’re looking for other ways to stay cooler this summer, you have several options:

Portable units are perfect if you live in an apartment without A/C or one that isn’t functioning properly. They can also be used in homes where certain rooms don’t seem to get cool enough.
Air conditioning window units and powerful tower fans are other options to consider to keep the temperature in your home within a reasonable and normal range.

Unfortunately, the season most people love sometimes causes the most misery for your skin. But don’t let that stop you! With some thoughtful modifications and a few simple precautions, flare ups that are common during these warmer months can, at worst, be minimized or, at best, all together eliminated.

Do you love summer? How do you stay cool and dry?

June 2, 2017/0 Comments/by Marjorie

The Basics

How and Why Ketoconazole Works

The term “drug class” refers to a set of drugs that share similar characteristics. For instance, they might have a similar chemical structure, behave the same way by binding to the same target, or treat the same disease.

Ketoconazole belongs to the azole drug class. Other members of this class include, but are not limited to clotrimazole, econazole, miconazole, fluconazole, and itraconazole. Azoles are famous for targeting a variety of fungi, including dermatophytes like tinea and yeasts like candida and malassezia. For now, we’ll focus on ketoconazole because it’s the most widely used topical antifungal for the treatment of Malassezia yeast infections.

Ketoconazole, basically, works to stop fungal growth.

But how does it work exactly? Well think of a cell and a cell membrane. Unlike animal cells, ergosterols can be found in the cell membranes of most fungi and protozoans (for now we’ll focus on fungi cell membranes).

Why is ergosterol important? It helps to regulate membrane fluidity. They’re basically membrane reinforcers.

Antifungal drugs, like ketoconazole, work by targeting ergosterol. In fact, while ergosterol is being synthesized or made, ketoconazole inhibits it. For many fungi, this interference can lead to an increase in cell permeability, leakage of cell components and, ultimately, cell death.

Simply put, ketoconazole is effective because it targets ergosterol, making an otherwise impermeable cell membrane permeable. Once the membrane is permeable, cell death is almost inevitable.

Ketoconazole comes in two forms – oral and topical. But as of May 2016, the Food and Drug Administration advised against using oral ketoconazole tablets to treat fungal infections of the skin due to several serious side effects like toxicity, liver damage and adrenal gland problems to name a few. Yikes! You can read more about it here. For similar reasons, it has been discontinued in many other countries, as well.

Topical ketoconazole, however, has not been associated with these effects and is still a valuable drug for some superficial fungal infections of the skin. Nizoral A-D 1% Shampoo is an over-the-counter anti-dandruff shampoo that contains 1% ketoconazole as the active ingredient. This product can be found in some local grocery stores and on Amazon. You can read more about my personal experience with Nizoral A-D 1% Shampoo here.

Brand name products such as Xolegel 2% Gel (for seborrheic dermatitis), Nizoral 2% Shampoo (for tinea versicolor), Ketoderm 2% Cream (for dermatophytes and candidiasis of the skin), and Extina 2% Foam (for seborrheic dermatitis) contain prescription-strength levels of ketoconazole and, therefore, are not available over-the-counter.

While ketoconazole has not yet been clinically proven to treat or stop the growth of Pityrosporum (Malassezia) folliculitis specifically, it has been shown to inhibit the growth of other common fungi in the laboratory. Be sure to discuss with your doctor the possible risks and benefits of using this particular drug.

Dufourc, E. J. (2008). Sterols and membrane dynamics.Journal of Chemical Biology,1(1-4), 63–77. http://doi.org/10.1007/s12154-008-0010-6
Food and Drug Administration [Internet]. Drug Safety Communication on Nizoral (Ketoconazole) Oral Tablets; [cited 2017 Apr 8]; [about 2 p.]. http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/UCM501983.pdf
Food and Drug Administration [Internet]. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/nda/2004/076419.pdf
Rosenthal, L., Burchum, J. Feb. 2017. Lehne’s Pharmacotherapeutics for Advanced Practice Providers.

May 31, 2017/0 Comments/by Marjorie

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