Tinea versicolor, often known as pityriasis versicolor, is a noncontagious disease that affects up to 40% of the global population living in tropical or humid regions. It occurs when yeast from the Malassezia family infects or inhibits the immune system. This is a common fungal infection of the skin. 

The fungus interferes with the skin’s natural pigmentation, resulting in microscopic and discoloured areas. These patches can be brighter or darker in colour than the surrounding skin, and they usually affect the upper part of the body and shoulders.

If you are a medical student or a healthcare provider, it is important to understand tinea versicolor, its causes, symptoms, and prevention tips. Keep reading to learn more about this fungal infection.

What is Tinea Versicolor? 

Tinea versicolor is a common fungal infection that causes discoloured skin. Individuals with tinea versicolor acquire white, yellow, red, pink, or brown patches. It is caused by an overgrowth of a naturally occurring yeast or fungus on the skin. Hot temperatures, humidity, and sun exposure can worsen tinea versicolor. It is neither toxic nor infectious; however, it might cause moderate itching.

Causes of Tinea Versicolor

Tinea versicolor is caused by an overgrowth of fungus on the surface of the skin. This type of yeast grows in warm, damp, and greasy environments, which leads it to multiply rapidly into tiny cells. Some of the causes for this fungus to grow rapidly are:

• Hormonal Changes
• Weakened Immune System
• Hot and Humid Weather
• Sweating
• Oily Skin

Symptoms of Tinea Versicolor

The most visible sign of tinea versicolor is discoloured skin patches, which often appear on the arms, chest, neck, or back region. These patches may:

• Be lighter or darker than the surrounding skin
• Be pink, red, tan, or brown coloured
• Feel dry, itchy, and scaly
• Increase with tanning
• Fade in colder and less humid conditions

Additionally, tinea versicolor can cause skin colour loss, which is called hypopigmentation, in individuals with dark skin. In some cases, however, the skin may darken instead of lighten, a condition known as hyperpigmentation.

Tinea Versicolor Treatment Options

Tinea versicolor can feel irritating, but it is generally easy to treat. It is treated by applying topical creams, lotions, or shampoos to the skin. For more severe or extensive tinea versicolor, the doctor may recommend oral medicines. 

All of these medications contain antifungals, which kill or prevent the fungus from growing. Antifungal medicine must be used properly to achieve complete healing and prevent recurrence.

Over-the-counter Antifungal Medication

Mild tinea versicolor can be treated with over-the-counter antifungal creams, lotions, or shampoos. These will be applied to the skin from a few minutes up to many hours before being rinsed off, which are as follows:

• Clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF)
• Miconazole (Micaderm)
• Selenium sulphide (Selsun Blue Shampoo)
• Zinc pyrithione soap

Prescription of Antifungal Medication

Patients can use this as a cream or wash on areas of their skin affected by the condition. The doctor may prescribe a topical antifungal drug, such as:

• Ketoconazole (Nizoral, Extina).
• Ciclopirox (Loprox, Penlac). 

If your symptoms are severe, your physician may prescribe oral antifungals like: 

• Fluconazole (Diflucan)
• Itraconazole (Onmel or Sporanox).

Prevention Tips for Tinea Versicolor

The yeast that causes this infection lives naturally on the skin. If individuals have a history of tinea versicolor, the doctor may recommend using soap containing zinc pyrithione (such as Vanicream Z-Bar or DermaZinc Zinc Therapy Soap) or selenium sulphide (Selsun Blue).

This type of soap may help avoid future infections and yeast development. The doctor may also recommend that a person use prescription drugs during the summer months when tinea versicolor is more prone to reappear. 

To reduce the risk of recurrence of tinea versicolor infection, individuals can: 

• Lessen exposure to sunlight
• Use sunscreen
• Wear loose-fitting cotton clothes to reduce sweating

Individuals can also help prevent tinea versicolor by taking a prescription-strength skin treatment during the months when they are most vulnerable to the infection.

FAQS about Tinea Versicolor

1. What causes tinea versicolor?

The infection is caused by the yeast that naturally lives on the skin but can overgrow due to factors like hot and humid weather, excessive sweating, and a weakened immune system.

2. Is tinea versicolor contagious?

No, Tinea versicolor is not contagious. It results from an overgrowth of yeast already present on the skin, not from person-to-person transmission.

3. How is tinea versicolor diagnosed?

Doctors usually diagnose it through a physical exam. In some cases, a skin scraping or Wood’s lamp test may be used to confirm the diagnosis.

4. Can tinea versicolor come back after treatment?

Yes, it can recur, especially in warm and humid conditions. Regular use of antifungal shampoos and wearing breathable clothing can help prevent the recurrence of versicolor.

5. Can home remedies help treat tinea versicolor?

Some home remedies, like tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, or aloe vera gel, may help. However, antifungal treatments are usually more effective.

Conclusion 

Tinea versicolor is a common fungal skin infection that affects pigmentation, resulting in distinct discoloured spots. Preventive methods, such as keeping good hygiene, using antifungal soaps, and avoiding excessive sweating, can help to reduce the recurrence of tinea versicolor. DocTutorials offers a variety of additional topics for medical students, as well as high-quality video lectures, question banks, test series, expert guidance, and other resources. Explore our comprehensive NEET PG courses designed to help you master key concepts, improve your medical knowledge, and excel in your exams.