Tinea Versicolor
(Pityriasis Versicolor)
Medical Revising Author: Alan Rockoff, MD
Medical Revising Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
What is tinea versicolor? What are symptoms of tinea versicolor?
Tinea versicolor is a common fungal infection that often affects adolescents and young adults. The term versicolor refers to the fact that it causes the affected skin to change color and become either lighter or darker than surrounding skin. The most common areas it affects are the shoulders, back, and chest. At times, it can affect folds of skin, such as the crook of the arm, the skin under the breasts, or the groin. The face is usually spared, although sometimes children can get it there. There may be just a few spots or so many that it gives the appearance that the affected skin is normal while the unaffected skin around it seems to have a problem.
What causes tinea versicolor?
Tinea versicolor is caused by a yeast called Malassezia furfur that lives in the skin of most adults. This exists in two forms, one of which causes visible spots. Factors that can cause the fungus to become more visible include high humidity and immune or hormone abnormalities. However, almost all people with this very common condition are perfectly healthy.
Because the tinea versicolor fungus is part of the normal adult skin, this condition is not contagious. It often recurs after treatment, but usually not right away, so that treatment needs to be repeated only every year or two.
Tinea versicolor patches that are brown or reddish-brown go right away after treatment. When this condition produces spots that are lighter than the surrounding skin, it may take several months for overall color to even out. It always eventually does.
Tinea versicolor does not leave permanent skin discoloration.
What other conditions resemble tinea versicolor?
The following conditions look a little like tinea versicolor but are really quite
different:
- Pityriasis alba: This is a mild form of eczema (seen in
young people) that produces mild, patchy lightening of the face, shoulders, or
torso.
- Vitiligo: This condition results in a permanent loss of
pigment. Vitiligo is more likely to affect the skin around the eyes
and lips or the knuckles and joints. Spots are porcelain-white and,
unlike those of tinea versicolor, are permanent.
Next: How is tinea versicolor treated? »
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