Tinea Versicolor: Symptoms, Causes & Treatments

Overview

• Tinea versicolor is a common fungal skin infection causing discolored patches on skin.
• Caused by an overgrowth of yeast naturally found on the skin.
• It is not harmful or contagious, but may be mildly itchy.
• Commonly affects shoulders, back, and upper chest, appearing in white, yellow, red, pink, or brown spots.
• Hot weather, humidity, and sun exposure can exacerbate the condition.
• Treated with topical or oral antifungal medications.

Symptoms and Causes

• Symptoms:
  • Skin discoloration, often on back, chest, and abdomen.
  • Itching in affected areas.
  • Patches may dry out and form scales.
  • Patches do not tan in the sun.
• Causes:
  • Overgrowth of yeast thrives in warm, moist, and oily environments.
  • Triggered by hormonal changes, weakened immune system, hot/humid weather, sweating, and oily skin.

Diagnosis and Tests

• Diagnosed via skin tests: scraping off skin cells for microscope examination.
• Use of Wood lamp, which makes infected skin look yellow-green under UV light.

Management and Treatment

• Treatment Options:
  • Topical creams, lotions, or shampoos for mild cases.
  • Prescription oral medications for severe cases.
  • Common antifungal medications include Clotrimazole, Miconazole, Selenium sulfide, Ketoconazole, and fluconazole.
• Home Remedies:
  • Use of dandruff shampoo with selenium is common.
  • Over-the-counter treatments are available, but stronger medication may be needed if not effective.

Prevention

• Use soaps containing zinc pyrithione or selenium sulfide.
• Avoid excessive sweating and sun exposure.
• Wear loose-fitting, cotton clothing.

Outlook / Prognosis

• Tinea versicolor can recur, especially in warmer months.
• Medicated soaps can help reduce recurrences.

Living With

• Mild cases treatable with over-the-counter antifungal medicine.
• Consult a healthcare provider if no improvement after 2-3 weeks.

Additional Common Questions

• More common during pregnancy due to hormonal changes.
• Different from vitiligo, which is autoimmune and causes smooth light spots on skin.

Note

• The condition can affect confidence but is highly treatable.