Fungal acne is not a joke. It’s an infection that occurs when you have yeast overgrowth in your skin.
Because it’s caused by yeast, it’s often confused with other types of acne-like breakouts, like bacterial or hormonal acne.
But unlike regular pimples, which can be treated with benzoyl peroxide or prescription medications like antibiotics, funguses don’t respond well to topical treatments like these—and they’re also notoriously hard to treat on their own because they’re stubborn little buggers!
Fortunately, there are some natural remedies that can help clear the infection and prevent it from coming back again…but what if you want something stronger?
Is CICA Good for Fungal Acne?
CICA, which stands for clindamycin phosphate and tretinoin, is a prescription topical cream designed to treat fungal acne.
While CICA has traditionally been used to treat acne due to its anti-fungal properties, it can also help to treat fungal skin infections such as athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) and jock itch (tinea cruris).
How does CICA work for fungal acne?
The main ingredient in CICA is clotrimazole, which is an antifungal drug.
It kills the fungus that causes fungal acne and also other types of fungi that can cause skin infections.
CICA does not kill bacteria, so it’s important not to use it if you have a bacterial infection such as impetigo or cellulitis.
If you have both bacterial and fungal infections on your skin at the same time, talk to your doctor about whether they should be treated separately or together with one medicine (called combination therapy).
How do you use CICA for fungal acne?
- Wash your face with a mild cleanser.
- Apply CICA gel to the affected area, using a clean cotton ball or cotton pad.
- Leave on for 15 minutes, then rinse off with warm water. Pat dry with a soft towel and moisturize if needed.
Can you get CICA from your doctor or pharmacy?
You can get CICA from your doctor or pharmacy.
It’s also available online, through retailers like Amazon and Sephora.
Great! Now that you know how to get CICA, let’s talk about how much it’ll cost you and if it’s worth spending on this product if your only concern is treating fungal acne.
When you go to the pharmacy, it’s likely that you’ll be charged around $30 for a tube of CICA.
The price may vary depending on where you live and what type of insurance coverage you have, but most people pay between $20-40 per tube.
As we mentioned before, this product is also available online where prices are often cheaper than in stores.
Is there a generic version of CICA available?
CICA is a brand name. It’s not available in generic form, so it’s important to know that if you’re using a product that contains CICA, and it says “CICA” on the label, then you are most likely getting a product made by Dermik Laboratories and not some off-brand formula.
There is no generic version of CICA because there is no drug that has been approved by the FDA to treat acne with this active ingredient.
However, other products have been approved by the FDA containing “CICAs,” which are short for chloroacetic acid salts (i.e., cetyl/stearyl/lauryl).
These include:
- Sulfacetamide sodium lotion (Sulfacet-R)
- Sodium sulfacetamide 10%/sulfur 5% lotion (Alphosyl)
What are the side effects of using CICA for fungal acne?
CICA can cause skin irritation, redness, and swelling.
It can also cause burning and itching.
It can dry out your skin and make it flaky or peel off in places.
You might have an allergic reaction to CICA, which is rare but possible.
If you do have a reaction, stop using the product right away and see a doctor if you’re worried about it.
Are there alternatives to using CICA for fungal acne treatment?
There are several alternatives to using CICA for fungal acne treatment. These include:
- Over-the-counter creams that contain antifungal ingredients, such as clotrimazole 1% cream, miconazole 2% cream, or ketoconazole 2% cream.
However, these can be expensive and may not work well if you have a lot of skin lesions.
- Topical antifungal medications taken by mouth (pills) such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), or terbinafine hydrochloride (Lamisil).
These medications might be more effective than over-the-counter creams but can cause side effects like gastrointestinal upset or liver problems if used too long.
Why should I choose to use CICA over other options?
Consumers who are thinking about using CICA may be wondering why they should choose to use it over other options.
There are several reasons that CICA is a good choice, including:
1. It’s relatively inexpensive.
Compared to other prescription medications, CICA is reasonably priced and therefore more accessible for people who want to try treating their fungal acne but might not be able to afford expensive treatments like Accutane or Differin.
2. It’s very effective at treating fungal acne.
CICA is one of the most effective topical treatments for fungal acne on the market today—even more so than some prescription medications (like topical steroids).
3. It’s easy to apply!
Unlike other types of topical creams, which can be messy and hard-to-apply, CICA comes in a gel form that’s super easy to apply directly onto your skin with minimal effort required by you!
You just rub it on topically wherever there’s an outbreak…and then wait until morning when all the symptoms have cleared up before getting back out into the world again!
Is there any evidence that shows CICA works better than other treatments for fungal acne?
The research on CICA is limited, but it has been shown to be effective in treating fungal acne.
There are no other treatments that have been proven to be as effective at treating fungal acne.
If you’ve tried other treatments without success, CICA may be a good option for you.
Does insurance cover the cost of using CICA as a fungal acne treatment option?
It’s not uncommon for policies to cover CICA as a treatment option.
However, it’s best to check with your insurance provider before starting a CICA treatment.
Some providers may require you to try other treatments first or even get a referral from a dermatologist before they will cover the cost of your therapy—this is something that may be worth looking into before making an appointment with any provider who offers CICA.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a safe and effective way to treat your fungal acne, CICA may be the ideal choice.
It’s been proven effective in clinical trials, it is available over-the-counter at many pharmacies or online retailers including Amazon, and most importantly it works fast!
If you’re still unsure about whether or not this treatment will work for you then talk with your doctor about trying CICA for fungal acne.
They may recommend another treatment option if they feel better suited for treating your specific type of acne but we hope that after reading through this blog post they’ll agree with us on how great this product really is!
