How to Get Rid of a Yeast Infection on Your Face

A facial yeast infection can cause a rash, pimples, and other symptoms like itching or burning. Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans, a type of yeast most commonly responsible for yeast infections.

You might get a yeast infection on your face if you have a health condition that weakens your immune system or if you are using an antibiotic to treat another condition. Heat and humidity can also contribute to yeast overgrowth.

Yeast infections typically require treatment. Home remedies as well as over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications can provide symptom relief. Always consult your healthcare provider first before starting treatment on your own.

This article discusses yeast infections on the face, what causes them, and how they are treated.

Facial Yeast Infection Symptoms

A yeast infection on the face can cause a red rash with dry, scaly patches that itch or burn. The rash may crust and ooze. You may also develop small, acne-like pimples.

You can usually tell the difference between an acne breakout and a yeast infection by the severity of the rash. Acne breakouts don’t usually cause itching, burning, or crusting.

A yeast infection on the face can be acute, which means it occurs for a short period of time. If you have an underlying condition like diabetes or you are immunocompromised, the infection can become chronic or long-lasting.

Oral Thrush

If the rash is primarily located around your lips, you may have a type of yeast infection called oral thrush. Oral thrush can cause white patches to appear on your lips. You may also experience sore, red, cracked, or dry skin at the corners of your mouth.

Cradle Cap

Infants can get a scalp condition called cradle cap. This condition causes scales to appear on the scalp. A type of yeast called Malassezia may play a role in cradle cap, though other factors such as excess production of an oil called sebum probably also contribute.

How Did I Get a Yeast Infection on My Face?

Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of the Candida yeast. Candida grows best in warm, moist environments. While this yeast is naturally present on the skin and other parts of the body like the vagina, it becomes an issue when it overgrows to uncontrolled levels.

Certain conditions allow yeast to overgrow more easily on the skin, including:

• Health conditions that weaken the immune system, such as diabetes
• Antibiotic use (bacteria keep the yeast in our body in check)
• Face masks that are too tight and trap moisture on the skin
• A hot and humid environment
  

These factors may put you at greater risk of developing a yeast infection on your face:

• Poor hygiene
• Excessive sweating
  
• Malnutrition

The use of harsh skincare products may also damage your skin, leaving it vulnerable to yeast overgrowth.

Diagnosis

Facial yeast infections should be diagnosed by a medical professional. They can usually diagnose the condition by looking at your skin. In some cases, they may also want to scrape off some of your skin to test it for yeast.

The test for yeast infections is known as a KOH test. It involves applying potassium hydroxide to the affected area, which then dissolves skin cells. If fungus is present, its cells are left behind, which can be seen under a microscope.

If your healthcare provider wants to identify the specific type of fungus that’s causing your infection, they will perform a culture. Different fungi require different treatments, so your healthcare provider may want to do this to make sure you get the best treatment option for your particular case.

For severe skin yeast infections, a skin biopsy and/or blood test may be performed to help determine what is causing the rash.

How to Treat a Yeast Infection on the Face

Yeast infections can be treated with both home remedies and medications. Your treatment will depend on the cause of your facial yeast infection.

Always discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider before trying anything, especially at home.

OTC Creams and Lotions

Skin infections can be treated using antifungal creams and ointments. Some of these treatments are available over-the-counter (OTC). Options include:

• Lotrimin AF (clotrimazole)
• Micatin (miconazole)
• Lamisil AT (terbinafine)
• Tinactin (tolnaftate)
• Lotrimin Ultra (butenafine)

Take care when using antifungal products on your face. The skin on the face is sensitive, and some of these products might be irritating. Avoid getting antifungals in your eyes. 

Topical corticosteroids like hydrocortisone can be used to treat itchiness associated with a yeast infection, but these medications should be used along with an antifungal.

If you have oral thrush, OTC treatments include:

• Oral rinses
• Oral sprays
• Lozenges
• Probiotics
  

Prescription Medications

If you have a moderate or severe infection, your healthcare provider may prescribe a stronger antifungal medication such as Nystop (nystatin). Oral antifungals such as Diflucan (fluconazole) can also help treat more serious yeast infections.

Prescription formulations that combine antifungals with corticosteroids are also available.

Prescription treatments for oral thrush include:

• Diflucan (fluconazole)
• Sporanox (itraconazole)
• Noxafil (posaconazole)

Antifungal medications work quickly. You should start to see improvement over the first few days of use. Make sure to keep using the treatment for as long as your healthcare provider instructs, even if you feel better. Some treatments may need to be continued as long as four weeks.

Prescription antifungals can cause side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have a reaction to an antifungal such as:

• Itching or burning
• Rash
• Redness
• Nausea or abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
  

Rarely, an antifungal medication can cause serious side effects such as:

• An allergic reaction
• Peeling or blistering skin
• Liver damage

Natural Remedies

There are several natural remedies that might help treat skin yeast infections, including:

• Diluted apple cider vinegar: It is believed to have antifungal and antimicrobial properties, but further research is needed to support these claims. You should never apply apple cider vinegar directly to the skin. It should always be diluted to avoid further irritation.
• Olive oil: Some studies saw that olive oil’s microbial and antifungal properties may be beneficial in treating yeast infections in the bloodstream.
• Coconut oil: Laboratory studies suggest that coconut oil might be helpful against fungi, but research on real-world treatment of fungal infections is lacking.
• Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil is an essential oil that has been shown to have antifungal properties that may be beneficial in fighting yeast infections.

Ask your healthcare provider before trying any of these remedies. Be sure to also keep your face clean and dry, and talk to your healthcare provider if your treatment doesn’t seem to be working.

Prevention

Some preventative measures can help keep these types of infections at bay:

• If the cause of your rash is related to diabetes, eat healthy and keep your blood sugar levels stable.
• Wash your face daily using gentle cleansers.
• Keep your skin clean and dry as much as possible.
• Avoid harsh face products (like scented ones) that can lead to irritation.

Summary

Facial yeast infection occurs when the fungus that lives on the skin of your face overgrows. It can cause symptoms like a red rash and pimples. While unpleasant, it’s very treatable with home remedies, OTC medications, and prescriptions. You can prevent facial yeast infections by keeping your face clean and dry as much as possible.