Hey everyone. I've been looking at this thread for a while as I too have pityrosporum.... I first tried using the head and shoulders, and it definitely did help, just not enough. After using it once a day in the morning every morning, I would still have roughly 7 or so spots. I sort of just resigned to that as the best I could get. Rarely, I would take a salt bath, because it does wonders, buuuut, since I don't have a bath tub, it makes this difficult. Anyways, probably about a month or so ago a friend gave me a bottle of a supplement known as turmeric (not because of pityrosporum, but because it's supposed to help your immune system and I was sick). Surprisingly, after taking it for a good week or so I noticed a big difference. I still get a couple of spots every now and then, but considering you can buy a bottle of turmeric from Walmart for a couple of bucks and it's natural, it's definitely worth it. Anyways, figured since it works pretty well for me, I'd share the news with the community... good luck!

WOW Sorry if my post if long and dragged out but I am so relieved to find the answer to my problem!
It all started when I stopped taking amoxicillin.
I got tiny little bumps on my chest and back of neck.
I treated them with acne products (naturally) and it only got worse.
They would go away but only temporarily and would come back extremely large and red.
My face and body are always itchy - which people said is a symptom.
I am going to try the ZNP bar ( I think I still have samples from when I was prescribed it for my face ages ago)
and I will buy the Nizoral stuff(whatever it is called)
I am so mad I didn't catch this earlier, I feel like it is developing on my face.
Also my mom said she will buy my probiotics because I developed lactose intolerance/intestinal issues (not sure, going to doctor next week) recently aswell.

Hi Kerrylee,

I'm new to this forum. I was doing a research online for the problem I am facing for a long time now.
I'm 26 year old (man) now and it seems that I have the same thing that your 16 year old son is experiencing/experienced.
I was put on accutane on august 2008 till november 2009 (like 3 full months) by my dermatologist. And 1 month after the treatment I began having a lot of small pustules around my head (at the earline moving backwards to my neck and forward to my forehead) and the more I attacked them (with salycilic acid at the time, on my scalp, trying to "burn" them off ) the more they seemed to get, like a sudden rage. So I returned to my dermatologist 3 months later (after warring/fighting on my own ways) and he told me that maybe I needed another treatment with accutane to finish up, which I then took for like 5 months till end June (during each treatment time I was like acne- & pustules- free on my face, scalp and whole body).
For some reasons the pustules on my scalp began again (after 1 month of finishing the accutane-treatment-> end July), and moving again towards my forehead. And again I went to the dermatologist, and I suggested to him that maybe I had some infection (bacterial or something) so he thought it was a good suggestion, and prescibed me claritromycine for 1 month.. so I was clear whole august and mid sept 2009 till recently they began again; the same rage to my forehead and whole head-scalp and my chest also this time (this is after around 1 and quarter month after finishing treatment with the antibiotic: Claritromycine).
So yesterday 3 October I was doing a research online and it seems more and more clear to me that what I'm having is follicultis of some kind caused by a yeast most likely. Because from right at the end after finishing my treatment with Claritromycine I began taking acidophilus (pro-biotics) to keep the right good bacteria alive and in control.

So Kerrylee I wanted to know if you got some solutions for your son.
Can you let me know ?
Before I go again to my dermatologist ( who also said to me that he didn't want to see me again in a [kidding-mode] .Puts me wonder sometimes if they really know what they are prescribing or diagnosing )

Greetz,

Joe

Hi guys-

I stumbled onto this forum and thought I would share my experience. I have been living with Pityrosporum Folliculitis for six years on my back and thighs. I am 29 years old now. I always thought it was acne. It wasn't until I found this forum some time ago and learned what it was that I had. I cut out sugar, exercised more (shower right away) started using Tea Tree Oil and Apple Cider Vinegar as well as incorporated sea salt baths. I have almost cut it out completely. If you are not using the shampoo recommended earlier in this thread, you should give it a try because it has done wonders for me. I use it on my scalp and my body as a bodywash. It is called Giovanni Triple Treat and it is cheap, about $7 a bottle. I buy it from www.giovannishampoo.com they have a $5 off coupon. Anyways, after washing with this shampoo I put Tea Tree Oil on my skin. Once a week I take a bath in salt water as well. In just under a month, I have almost completely gotten this off my body! All it takes is determination and you can kill this stuff. I found sugar to really be one of the biggest culprits. I am athletic, so for example I switched up Gatorade for naturally flavored water.

I wish everyone the best.

This post has been edited by MissTanya: Oct 5 2009, 12:03 AM

Just wanted to say I also believe in what MissTanya is saying. The combination of Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat shampoo (or any well prepared tea tree oil shampoo) with direct skin application of Tea Tree Oil additionally on affected areas is probably one of the best ways to combat PF.

I've been doing a lot of research on the web, and it seems that tea tree oil, in tests, is probably the best topical agent to combat PF. Only oral fungal medications outdo it. Sadly though the oral fungal meds may affect your liver adversely (i repeat "may").

Noticed on the Target web site they offer the above shampoo (in store also?) and they also have a great Tea Tree Oil (their Origin brand) they offer in their pharmacy area. I'm on my second bottle and am seeing awesome results. Need to get the Tea Tree shampoo too for the best affect.

Initially undiluted Tea Tree Oil may cause redness (goes away usually after 30min or so) and itching, so you may want to consider diluting in the beginning to see how you react. I'm using it "neat" and my skin seems ok with it.

Recently, my PF itching has disappeared and I have no red spots or breakouts. By the way, my belly is where I had my outbreak, nowhere else. My only suggestion, stick with it! It may take awhile to show results. I think it took about 6 weeks for me.

Also, PF is now known as malassezia folliculitis:
http://dermnetnz.org/fungal/pityrosporum-folliculitis.html

Best of luck to all...PF(MF) is a pain in the you know what!
Chuck