Dietary Changes For Pityrosporum Folliculitis Linda (Florida) on 07/14/2026
Many years ago I developed pityrosporum folliculitis (malassezia folliculitis) on my face and chest after a round of antibiotics. I suffered with it for about 5 years. Nothing would get rid of it. Antifungal medication from the doctor would make it go away for a week or two, only for it to return. I tried every topical under the sun, some of which would help manage it but nothing got rid of it. I tried various diets, including the candida diet, keto diet...those did not work at all for me. I finally figured out how to get rid of it and I've been free from this skin condition for about 7 years now and can eat whatever I want. What finally worked was a low-fat vegan diet (such as the McDougal diet). No animal products (no dairy or meat because they are high in fat). For the first few days avoid fruit because it will cause a flare while fat is still in your system. After 5 or 6 days on the diet you can eat fruit. You will notice a rapid clearing after about 3 or 4 days. I ate mostly beans, rice, potatoes, vegetables, fruit, oatmeal, smoothies. I would do the diet for about two or 3 weeks and then stop once my skin improved....then the PF would return....so I'd get back on the diet for another couple weeks then stop....and the PF would return...I did this about 5 or 6 times until one day the PF never returned. Malassezia feeds off fats so the only way to get rid of it completely from your system is to eliminate high fat foods, especially in combination with anything sweet. I can now eat whatever I want and am free from this awful skin condition. I hope this helps someone.
