Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsYeast vs. Fungal InfectionCausesDiagnosisTreatmentAt-Home TreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Yeast vs. Fungal Infection
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
At-Home Treatment
Prevention
This article will cover what a fungal infection on the face looks like and the causes, complications, and risk factors. It also explains how a facial fungal infection is diagnosed and getting treatment with oral or topicalantifungal drugs.
Do You Have a Fungal or Yeast Infection?
What Are the Differences Between a Yeast Infection and Fungal Infection on the Face?
Symptoms of a Fungal Infection of the Face
Common symptoms of a fungal infection on the face include:
Candida
There are different yeasts that can cause infections but the most common is one calledCandida albicans.
Candidiasis can be anywhere in the body, but the fungus likes to live in moist places like the vagina, mouth, anus, armpits, groin, or under the foreskin of a penis. A yeast infection on the face usually shows up around the mouth (perlèche) or inside the mouth (thrush).
However, candidiasis can occur on parts of the face, like the forehead, nose, and corners of the mouth. These infections are more common in people with underlying health conditions.
Perlèche
Perlèche is a yeast infection around the mouth, especially at the corners which become cracked. It’s also calledangular cheilitis.
Dentures, lip-licking, and thumb-sucking are the greatest risk factors for perlèche.
Other candida infections on the face are rare.
Pictures of Different Types of Skin Infections
Chronic Mucocutaneous Candidiasis
Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasisis a rare condition that usually shows up on the face, nose, and nails.The affected skin will get red, thick, and crusted. It can easily be confused with a psoriasis rash. This type of fungal infection can also lead to pus-filled areas on the skin.
When to See a Healthcare ProviderIf you haveCandidarash on your face, you’re more likely to have a yeast infection somewhere else, too—for example, a vaginal yeast infection orthrushin your mouth.If you have other yeast infection symptoms and have a rash on your face, see your provider.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
If you haveCandidarash on your face, you’re more likely to have a yeast infection somewhere else, too—for example, a vaginal yeast infection orthrushin your mouth.If you have other yeast infection symptoms and have a rash on your face, see your provider.
If you haveCandidarash on your face, you’re more likely to have a yeast infection somewhere else, too—for example, a vaginal yeast infection orthrushin your mouth.
If you have other yeast infection symptoms and have a rash on your face, see your provider.
Causes of a Fungal Face Infection
A fungal skin infection happens when a fungus on the skin overgrows.
While candida is a common fungus that causes infections on the skin of the face, it’s not the only one. There are hundreds of types of fungi that can cause infections.
Some of the less common causes of fungal face infections include:
An overgrowth of fungus can happen when the immune system or the microbiome gets unbalanced, often from medication or underlying medical conditions.
Risk factors for fungal infections include:
Diagnosing Candidiasis
When you visit a provider for a facial rash, they’ll look at the rash, talk about your medical history and symptoms, and possibly take a swab from the rash to test for fungus or bacteria.
When It Is Not Fungus
Candidainfection is not the only cause of facial rashes—for example, bacterial skin infections and chronic skin conditions can also cause rashes on the face.
If you have another skin condition like psoriasis that puts you at a higher risk forCandidainfection, it can be hard to tell the two apart.
Candidarashes usually have a bright red color, whereas psoriasis looks like silvery scales.Candidarashes may have pus as well.
However, some types ofCandidarash (especially chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis) can look similar to a psoriasis outbreak.
Treatment of Fungal Skin Infections
Once you have a diagnosis,treatment forCandidarashis straightforward.
Your provider may also prescribe a prescription antifungal cream. You’ll likely also need oralantifungal medications, so it’s best to ask your provider before trying over-the-counter (OTC) creams.
If you have chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, you may need to take an oral antifungal medication like fluconazole long-term.Your provider will also tell you to keep the area well-ventilated and dry, which tends to be easy to do if the rash is on the face.
What Happens If You Don’t Treat a Fungal Infection On Your Face?Yeast infections on the faceare often symptoms of a larger yeast imbalance throughout the body.If you leave your facial infection untreated, you might notice other yeast infections in your mouth, nails, genitalia, or skin folds.It’s best to talk to your provider if you think you have a yeast infection on your face so you can start treating it as soon as possible.
What Happens If You Don’t Treat a Fungal Infection On Your Face?
Yeast infections on the faceare often symptoms of a larger yeast imbalance throughout the body.If you leave your facial infection untreated, you might notice other yeast infections in your mouth, nails, genitalia, or skin folds.It’s best to talk to your provider if you think you have a yeast infection on your face so you can start treating it as soon as possible.
Yeast infections on the faceare often symptoms of a larger yeast imbalance throughout the body.If you leave your facial infection untreated, you might notice other yeast infections in your mouth, nails, genitalia, or skin folds.
It’s best to talk to your provider if you think you have a yeast infection on your face so you can start treating it as soon as possible.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
Treating Fungal Face Infections at Home
There are a few home remedies for yeast infections that you might be able to try. However, keep in mind that you need to be careful because the skin of your face, especially around your mouth and eyes, is very sensitive.
Possible at-home treatments for fungal face infections include:
Preventing Fungal Skin Infections
If you frequently get fungal infections or have a history ofCandidaovergrowth, there are steps you can take to prevent future infections. Ways you cankeep your microbiome healthyinclude:
For people with psoriasis, there might be a connection between psoriasis outbreaks andCandidainfections.
Avoiding your psoriasis triggers—like stress and skin injuries—can help reduce the likelihood of fungal skin rashes.
Summary
Some kinds of fungus like Candida are a normal part of the skin microbiome, but an overgrowth of yeast can lead to an infection.
On the face, a fungal infection is often seen in the corners of the mouth or on the nose and forehead. These infections can easily be mistaken for psoriasis.
You’ll need to see a provider to get a diagnosis and start treatment for a fungal infection on the face, which often includes topical creams or oral medications.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Candida infection on the skin.University of Michigan Health.Yeast skin infection.Clark GW, Pope SM, Jaboori KA.Diagnosis and treatment of seborrheic dermatitis.Am Fam Physician. 2015 Feb 1;91(3):185-90.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Angular cheilitis.Wang Z, Zhang Y, Ma W.Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis: a case report.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2023;16:231-236. Published 2023 Jan 25. doi:10.2147/CCID.S396802Armstrong AW, Bukhalo M, Blauvelt A.A clinician’s guide to the diagnosis and treatment of candidiasis in patients with psoriasis.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2016;17(4):329-336. doi:10.1007/s40257-016-0206-4
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Candida infection on the skin.University of Michigan Health.Yeast skin infection.Clark GW, Pope SM, Jaboori KA.Diagnosis and treatment of seborrheic dermatitis.Am Fam Physician. 2015 Feb 1;91(3):185-90.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Angular cheilitis.Wang Z, Zhang Y, Ma W.Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis: a case report.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2023;16:231-236. Published 2023 Jan 25. doi:10.2147/CCID.S396802Armstrong AW, Bukhalo M, Blauvelt A.A clinician’s guide to the diagnosis and treatment of candidiasis in patients with psoriasis.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2016;17(4):329-336. doi:10.1007/s40257-016-0206-4
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Candida infection on the skin.University of Michigan Health.Yeast skin infection.Clark GW, Pope SM, Jaboori KA.Diagnosis and treatment of seborrheic dermatitis.Am Fam Physician. 2015 Feb 1;91(3):185-90.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Angular cheilitis.Wang Z, Zhang Y, Ma W.Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis: a case report.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2023;16:231-236. Published 2023 Jan 25. doi:10.2147/CCID.S396802Armstrong AW, Bukhalo M, Blauvelt A.A clinician’s guide to the diagnosis and treatment of candidiasis in patients with psoriasis.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2016;17(4):329-336. doi:10.1007/s40257-016-0206-4
MedlinePlus.Candida infection on the skin.
University of Michigan Health.Yeast skin infection.
Clark GW, Pope SM, Jaboori KA.Diagnosis and treatment of seborrheic dermatitis.Am Fam Physician. 2015 Feb 1;91(3):185-90.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Angular cheilitis.
Wang Z, Zhang Y, Ma W.Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis: a case report.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2023;16:231-236. Published 2023 Jan 25. doi:10.2147/CCID.S396802
Armstrong AW, Bukhalo M, Blauvelt A.A clinician’s guide to the diagnosis and treatment of candidiasis in patients with psoriasis.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2016;17(4):329-336. doi:10.1007/s40257-016-0206-4
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