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Tinea Versicolor

Overview


Tinea versicolor is a common fungal infection of the skin. The fungus interferes with the normal pigmentation of the skin, resulting in small, discolored patches. These patches may be lighter or darker in color than the surrounding skin and most commonly affect the trunk and shoulders.

Tinea versicolor (TIN-ee-uh vur-si-KUL-ur) occurs most frequently in teens and young adults. Sun exposure may make tinea versicolor more apparent. Tinea versicolor, which is also called pityriasis versicolor, is not painful or contagious. But it can lead to emotional distress or self-consciousness.

Antifungal creams, lotions or shampoos can help treat tinea versicolor. But even after successful treatment, skin color may remain uneven for several weeks or months. Tinea versicolor often recurs, especially in warm, humid weather.



Symptoms

Tinea versicolor signs and symptoms include:

1.Patches of skin discoloration, usually on the back, chest, neck and upper arms, which may appear lighter or darker than usual

2.Mild itching

3.Scaling



Treatment

If tinea versicolor is severe or doesn't respond to over-the-counter antifungal medicine, you may need a prescription-strength medication. Some of these medications are topical preparations that you rub on your skin. Others are drugs that you swallow. Examples include:

1.Ketoconazole (Ketoconazole, Nizoral, others) cream, gel or shampoo

2.Ciclopirox (Loprox, Penlac) cream, gel or shampoo

3.Fluconazole (Diflucan) tablets or oral solution

4.Itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox) tablets, capsules or oral solution

5.Selenium sulfide (Selsun) 2.5 percent lotion or shampoo

Even after successful treatment, your skin color may remain uneven for several weeks, or even months. Also, the infection may return in hot, humid weather. In persistent cases, you may need to take a medication once or twice a month to prevent the infection from recurring.


Causes

The fungus that causes tinea versicolor can be found on healthy skin. It only starts causing problems when the fungus overgrows. A number of factors may trigger this growth, including:

1.Hot, humid weather

2.Oily skin

3.Hormonal changes

4.Weakened immune system


Prevention

To help prevent tinea versicolor from returning, your doctor can prescribe a skin or oral treatment that you use once or twice a month. You may need to use these just during warm and humid months. Preventive treatments include:

1.Selenium sulfide (Selsun) 2.5 percent lotion or shampoo

2.Ketoconazole (Ketoconazole, Nizoral, others) cream, gel or shampoo

3.Itraconazole (Onmel, Sporanox) tablets, capsules or oral solution

4.Fluconazole (Diflucan) tablets or oral solution



Diagnosis

Your doctor can diagnose tinea versicolor by looking at it. If there's any doubt, he or she may take skin scrapings from the infected area and view them under a microscope.


Lifestyle and home remedies

For a mild case of tinea versicolor, you can apply an over-the-counter antifungal lotion, cream, ointment or shampoo. Most fungal infections respond well to these topical agents, which include:

1.Clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF) cream or lotion

2.Miconazole (Micaderm) cream

3.Selenium sulfide (Selsun Blue) 1 percent lotion

4.Terbinafine (Lamisil AT) cream or gel

5.Zinc pyrithione soap


When using creams, ointments or lotions, wash and dry the affected area. Then apply a thin layer of the product once or twice a day for at least two weeks. If you're using shampoo, rinse it off after waiting five to 10 minutes. If you don't see an improvement after four weeks, see your doctor. You may need a stronger medication.

It also helps to protect your skin from the sun and artificial sources of UV light. Usually, the skin tone evens out eventually.



Does tinea versicolor affect hair?

One does not ordinarily think of tinea versicolor as affecting the scalp. It most commonly affects the chest, back, and shoulders but may be much more widespread including extensions onto the face and into the lower scalp. It is usually impossible because of the hair to trace its progress past the borders of the scalp.



How do you treat tinea versicolor on the scalp?

For a mild case of tinea versicolor, you can apply an over-the-counter antifungal lotion, cream, ointment or shampoo. Most fungal infections respond well to these topical agents, which include: Clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF) cream or lotion. Miconazole (Micaderm) cream.



Can tinea cause hair loss?

Tinea capitis kerion are painful, pus-filled patches that sometimes ooze. A reaction to the fungus in your child's immune system causes kerion. It may cause scarring and permanent hair loss. The non-inflammatory type of tinea capitis doesn't usually cause permanent hair loss.















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