Tinea Versicolor

Definition

Tinea Versicolor is a chronic fungal infection of the skin at the stratum corneum, which is caused by the yeast Malassezia furfur or Pityrosporum orbiculare. This yeast is normally found on the human skin. They appear as patches with fine scale and can be pink, tan, or most commonly, white. The important and most commonly affected sites are the back, underarm, upper arms, chest, and neck. There is a combination of fungal hyphae and yeast forms in a spaghetti and meatballs appearance within the superficial layers of the epidermis. It mainly affects the skin of young people.

There may be just a some spots, or there can be so many that they run together. It causes pigmentary changes and scaling in the epidermis of the skin. In most people, the presence of yeast on the skin is not visible. In some people the yeast grows more actively and causes an itchy scaling rash. The disease is most commonly found in adolescent and young adult males

Causes of Tinea Versicolor

The main most common causes of tinea versicolor are as:-

• Abnormalities in the adrenal gland may also lead to the condition of tinea versicolor.
• If you are suffering from cushing's disease, then you are more prone to get affected by tinea versicolor.
• Suppressed immune system, is the main cause of tinea versicolor.
• Tinea versicolor is not contagious.
• The primary cause of tinea versicolor is a yeast called Pityrosporum orbiculare. This yeast is lipophilic, which means it likes fat.
• The whether condition is also an important cause of tinea versicolor. It is more common in hot climates and is associated with increased sweating.

Symptoms of Tinea Versicolor

The possible symptoms of tinea versicolor such as includes:-

• In tropical climates with high heat and humidity, the appearance of the spots may not change throughout the year. During the winter, the spots may seem to go away as your tan fades, making the spots less obvious.
• There may be slight itching that is more intense when a person gets hot.
• Rashes on the face are rare but may appear in children.
• The occurrence of dark patches on the affected area is common during tinea versicolor.
• Symptoms of tinea versicolor include a rash of small circular or oval spots. The spots are flat and may be white, pink, red, tan, or brown, depending on your skin color.

Treatments of Tinea Versicolor

Treatments for tinea versicolor may includes:-

• Topical allylamines have bee found mycologically effective.
• Dietary alterations have not proved successfully in the treatment of tinea versicolor.
• Prophylactic therapy may also help in reducing dryness of the skin.
• Anti fungal agents such as clotrimazole, miconazole and selenium sulfide shampoo, are very effective in the treatments of tinea versicolor.
• Oral treatment for tinea versicolor includes ketoconazole,fluconazole and itraconazole is beneficial in the eradication of skin rashes.