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Acne is a very complex skin condition. While any search on the internet will present you with all kinds of different ways to treat your acne, and there are plenty of over-the-counter options on the market, the truth is that not all treatments are universal and one product won't work across every type of blemish. Take fungal acne, for example. It's a common skin condition that's often mistaken for other forms of acne, though you can sometimes tell if this is the kind you're dealing with when your topical products aren't responding.

Here's everything you need to know about fungal acne - plus, exactly how to treat it.

What Is Fungal Acne?

Fungal acne isn't actually acne but a condition that mimics acne. "It's an acne-like condition that is caused by overgrowth of a common yeast that lives on the skin surface," dermatologist Claire Chang, M.D., told POPSUGAR. That yeast is referred to as malassezia furfur or pityrosporum ovale by most dermatologists, and it's not uncommon for it to be found on the skin regularly. "Malassezia actually lives on everyone's skin surface, but overgrowth in the hair follicles may lead to inflammation."

According to Dr. Chang, fungal acne presents itself as itchy blemishes on the face, chest, back, upper arms, and neck, and occurs more among people with oily skin, adolescents, men, and those who live in hot or humid climates. Use of use of antibiotics or steroids as well as having a history of immunosuppression can also increase one's risk of developing fungal acne. It's a common skin condition, though it often goes undiagnosed.