Tinea versicolor: Difference between revisions
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{{SI}} | |||
{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Tinea versicolor | |||
| image = [[File:Tinea_versicolor1.jpg|left|thumb|Tinea versicolor on the skin]] | |||
| caption = Tinea versicolor on the skin | |||
| synonyms = Pityriasis versicolor | |||
| pronunciation = | |||
| specialty = [[Dermatology]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Hypopigmentation]], [[hyperpigmentation]], [[scaly skin]] | |||
| complications = | |||
| onset = | |||
| duration = | |||
| causes = [[Malassezia]] species (fungi) | |||
| risks = [[Hot and humid weather]], [[immunosuppression]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Wood's lamp]], [[KOH test]] | |||
| differential = [[Vitiligo]], [[pityriasis rosea]], [[seborrheic dermatitis]] | |||
| prevention = | |||
| treatment = [[Antifungal]] medications (topical or oral) | |||
| medication = [[Ketoconazole]], [[selenium sulfide]], [[clotrimazole]] | |||
| prognosis = | |||
| frequency = Common in tropical climates | |||
}} | |||
[[File:Pityriasis_versicolor_frontal_retouche.jpg|left|thumb|Pityriasis versicolor on face]] | |||
[[File:Malassezia_spores_2.jpg|left|thumb|Malassezia spores under microscope]] | |||
'''Tinea versicolor''' is a common fungal infection of the skin. The fungus interferes with the normal pigmentation of the skin, resulting in small, discolored patches. These patches may be lighter or darker than the surrounding skin and most commonly affect the trunk and shoulders. Tinea versicolor (TV) is caused by the fungus ''Malassezia globosa''. | '''Tinea versicolor''' is a common fungal infection of the skin. The fungus interferes with the normal pigmentation of the skin, resulting in small, discolored patches. These patches may be lighter or darker than the surrounding skin and most commonly affect the trunk and shoulders. Tinea versicolor (TV) is caused by the fungus ''Malassezia globosa''. | ||
== Causes == | == Causes == | ||
Tinea versicolor is caused by a type of yeast that naturally lives on your skin. When the yeast grows out of control, the skin disease, which appears as a rash, is the result. | Tinea versicolor is caused by a type of yeast that naturally lives on your skin. When the yeast grows out of control, the skin disease, which appears as a rash, is the result. | ||
== Symptoms == | == Symptoms == | ||
Symptoms of tinea versicolor include: | Symptoms of tinea versicolor include: | ||
* Patches of skin discoloration, usually on the back, chest, neck and upper arms, which may appear lighter or darker than usual | * Patches of skin discoloration, usually on the back, chest, neck and upper arms, which may appear lighter or darker than usual | ||
* Mild itching | * Mild itching | ||
* Scaling | * Scaling | ||
== Diagnosis == | == Diagnosis == | ||
A physician can often diagnose tinea versicolor simply by looking at it. If there's any doubt, he or she may take skin scrapings from the infected area and view them under a microscope. | A physician can often diagnose tinea versicolor simply by looking at it. If there's any doubt, he or she may take skin scrapings from the infected area and view them under a microscope. | ||
== Treatment == | == Treatment == | ||
If tinea versicolor is severe or doesn't respond to over-the-counter antifungal medicine, you may need a prescription-strength medication. Some of these medications are topical preparations that you rub on your skin. Others are drugs that you swallow. The type of treatment will depend on the size, location and thickness of the infected area. | If tinea versicolor is severe or doesn't respond to over-the-counter antifungal medicine, you may need a prescription-strength medication. Some of these medications are topical preparations that you rub on your skin. Others are drugs that you swallow. The type of treatment will depend on the size, location and thickness of the infected area. | ||
== Prevention == | == Prevention == | ||
To help prevent tinea versicolor from returning, your doctor can prescribe a skin or oral treatment that you use once or twice a month. You may need to use these just during warm and humid months. Preventive treatments include: | To help prevent tinea versicolor from returning, your doctor can prescribe a skin or oral treatment that you use once or twice a month. You may need to use these just during warm and humid months. Preventive treatments include: | ||
* Selenium sulfide (Selsun) 2.5 percent lotion or shampoo | * Selenium sulfide (Selsun) 2.5 percent lotion or shampoo | ||
* Ketoconazole (Nizoral) cream, gel or shampoo | * Ketoconazole (Nizoral) cream, gel or shampoo | ||
* Itraconazole (Sporanox) capsules or tablets | * Itraconazole (Sporanox) capsules or tablets | ||
== See also == | == See also == | ||
* [[Dermatology]] | * [[Dermatology]] | ||
* [[Fungal infection]] | * [[Fungal infection]] | ||
* [[Skin pigmentation]] | * [[Skin pigmentation]] | ||
[[Category:Dermatology]] | [[Category:Dermatology]] | ||
[[Category:Skin conditions]] | [[Category:Skin conditions]] | ||
[[Category:Fungal diseases]] | [[Category:Fungal diseases]] | ||
{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
Latest revision as of 20:32, 26 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's medical weight loss NYC, sleep center NYC
Philadelphia medical weight loss and Philadelphia sleep clinics
| Tinea versicolor | |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | Pityriasis versicolor |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | Dermatology |
| Symptoms | Hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation, scaly skin |
| Complications | |
| Onset | |
| Duration | |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Malassezia species (fungi) |
| Risks | Hot and humid weather, immunosuppression |
| Diagnosis | Wood's lamp, KOH test |
| Differential diagnosis | Vitiligo, pityriasis rosea, seborrheic dermatitis |
| Prevention | |
| Treatment | Antifungal medications (topical or oral) |
| Medication | Ketoconazole, selenium sulfide, clotrimazole |
| Prognosis | |
| Frequency | Common in tropical climates |
| Deaths | N/A |
Tinea versicolor is a common fungal infection of the skin. The fungus interferes with the normal pigmentation of the skin, resulting in small, discolored patches. These patches may be lighter or darker than the surrounding skin and most commonly affect the trunk and shoulders. Tinea versicolor (TV) is caused by the fungus Malassezia globosa.
Causes[edit]
Tinea versicolor is caused by a type of yeast that naturally lives on your skin. When the yeast grows out of control, the skin disease, which appears as a rash, is the result.
Symptoms[edit]
Symptoms of tinea versicolor include:
- Patches of skin discoloration, usually on the back, chest, neck and upper arms, which may appear lighter or darker than usual
- Mild itching
- Scaling
Diagnosis[edit]
A physician can often diagnose tinea versicolor simply by looking at it. If there's any doubt, he or she may take skin scrapings from the infected area and view them under a microscope.
Treatment[edit]
If tinea versicolor is severe or doesn't respond to over-the-counter antifungal medicine, you may need a prescription-strength medication. Some of these medications are topical preparations that you rub on your skin. Others are drugs that you swallow. The type of treatment will depend on the size, location and thickness of the infected area.
Prevention[edit]
To help prevent tinea versicolor from returning, your doctor can prescribe a skin or oral treatment that you use once or twice a month. You may need to use these just during warm and humid months. Preventive treatments include:
- Selenium sulfide (Selsun) 2.5 percent lotion or shampoo
- Ketoconazole (Nizoral) cream, gel or shampoo
- Itraconazole (Sporanox) capsules or tablets
