Dr. Cole is board certified in dermatology. He obtained his BA degree in bacteriology, his MA degree in microbiology, and his MD at the University of California, Los Angeles. He trained in dermatology at the University of Oregon, where he completed his residency.
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
"I have tinea versicolor. I'm unaware exactly when I got it, but I'm 18 now and I think I’ve had it for about two to three years. The blotchy spots of white are on my right arm at the top of the forearm and up the rest of my arm and on top my shoulder and right collar bone. It's hardly noticeable now, but when it gets real humid, my arm turns pink while the infected area stays white."
Patient Discussions are not a substitute
for professional medical advice, or treatment.
See the disclaimer at the
bottom of the comments page.
Tinea versicolor facts
Tinea versicolor is a common infection of healthy people caused by a fungus that is commonly found on normal human skin.
There seems to be a genetic predisposition to develop tinea versicolor, the nature of which is poorly understood.
Tinea versicolor is easily identified under the microscope.
Treatment of tinea versicolor is often effective, but recurrence is common.
What is tinea versicolor? What are symptoms
and signs of tinea versicolor?
Tinea versicolor is a common fungal infection of the skin 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 have the face affected. 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 yeast called Malassezia furfur that normally live on the skin of most adults without causing problems. It exists in two forms, one of which can cause patches of discolored slightly scaly skin. Factors that induce the disease are poorly understood, but high humidity and immune or hormonal changes may play roles. Nevertheless, most people with this very common condition are perfectly healthy.
Because the tinea versicolor fungus is part of the normal adult skin flora, this condition is not contagious in the usual sense. 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. This fungus produces a chemical, which seems to inhibit the normal production of pigment in the skin resulting in areas of lighter 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 are sometimes indistinguishable from tinea versicolor on simple inspection:
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.
The word "rash" means an outbreak of red bumps on the body. The way people use this term, "a rash" can refer to many different skin conditions. The most common of these are scaly patches of skin and red, itchy bumps or patches all over the place.
Eczema, also known as dermatitis, is a general term for many types of skin inflammation. The most common form of eczema is atopic dermatitis. The other forms of eczema include: contact eczema, seborrheic eczema, Nummular eczema, Neurodermatitis, stasis dermatitis, and dyshidrotic eczema. Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of eczema may vary from person to person and may depend on the type of eczema.
Vitiligo is a condition in which the skin turns white due to the loss of pigment from the melanocytes, cells that produce the pigment melanin that gives the skin color.
What are noninfectious, common rashes localized to a
particular anatomical area?
Common, noninfectious rashes are listed below. Since these conditions are not caused by infectious organisms, it is reasonable to attempt to treat them with
over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream for a week or so prior to seeking medical attention.
Seborrheic dermatitis: Seborrheic dermatitis is the single most common rash affecting adults. It produces a red, scaling eruption that characteristically affects the scalp, forehead, brows, cheeks, and external ears.
Atopic dermatitis: Atopic dermatitis, often called eczema, is a common disorder of childhood which produces red, itchy, weeping rashes on the inner aspects of the elbows and in back of the knees as well as the cheeks, neck, wrists, and ankles. It is commonly found in patients who also have asthma and hay fever.
Skin RSS
Healthy Living Tips
