A type of fungus called tinea versicolor normally lives on the skin, but sometimes grows out of control and changes the color of the skin. Tinea versicolor is a common skin condition worldwide that affects many people. What causes tinea versicolor, what symptoms it exhibits, what to do about it, how to treat it, and how to prevent recurrence will be explained in this blog post.
The fungus Malassezia is responsible for Tinea versicolor. Malassezia is part of the normal flora of the skin and usually does not cause any problems. When the fungus grows in hot and humid climates, oily skin, hormonal changes, or weakened immune systems, it interferes with the production of melanin, which gives the skin its color. This results in patches of skin that are either lighter or darker than the surrounding skin.
Discolored patches of skin appear on the back, chest, neck, shoulders, or upper arms as the main symptom of tinea versicolor. A patch may be white, pink, red, brown, tan, or yellow, depending on the skin tone of the individual. The patches may be itchy, scaly, or dry, but they are not contagious or painful. In addition to not taning as well as normal skin, the patches may become more noticeable after sun exposure.
Typically, a dermatologist, who specializes in skin diseases, diagnoses tinea versicolor based on the clinical appearance of the skin and the patient's medical history. A doctor may occasionally examine the skin with a special light called a Wood's lamp. This light causes the fungus to glow yellow-green. It may also be necessary to take a skin scrape or a biopsy to examine the fungus under a microscope or culture it.
Medications for tinea versicolor can be either topical or oral. Topical medications are creams, lotions, or shampoos that are applied to the affected skin. Oral medications are pills or capsules that are swallowed. There are various antifungal medications used to treat tinea versicolor depending on the severity and extent of the infection, the preference of the patient, and the potential side effects of the medication.
Selenium sulfide: This is a shampoo or lotion that is applied to the skin and left on for 10 minutes before rinsing off. It is used once a day for seven days or once a week for four weeks.
Ketoconazole: This is a cream, gel, or shampoo that is applied to the skin and left on for five minutes before rinsing off. It is used once a day for two to four weeks.
Itraconazole: This is a pill or capsule that is taken once or twice a day for seven to 15 days.
Fluconazole: This is a pill or capsule that is taken once a week for two to four weeks.
Tinea versicolor can recur, especially in warm and humid weather. To prevent it from coming back, some of the preventive measures that can be taken are:
Avoiding excessive sweating and wearing loose-fitting clothes made of natural fibers.
Washing the skin regularly with a mild soap and drying it thoroughly.
Applying a sunscreen with a high SPF to protect the skin from sun damage.
Using a preventive antifungal medication once or twice a month, as prescribed by the doctor.
