Tinea versicolor
Tinea Versicolor
Tinea versicolor (pronounced: tin-ee-uh ver-si-color), also known as pityriasis versicolor, is a common fungal infection that causes small, discolored patches of skin. It's caused by an overgrowth of a type of yeast that naturally lives on your skin.
Etymology
The term "tinea" originates from the Latin word for "moth", due to the flaky appearance of the affected skin, while "versicolor" refers to the varied colors of the skin patches, from Latin "versus" meaning "turning" and "color".
Symptoms
The main symptom of Tinea versicolor is discolored patches of skin that usually affect the back, chest, and upper arms. These patches may be lighter or darker than the surrounding skin, and can be pink, tan, brown, or white. The patches may also be slightly itchy and scaly.
Causes
Tinea versicolor is caused by an overgrowth of the yeast Malassezia, which is naturally found on the skin. Factors that can trigger this overgrowth include hot, humid weather, oily skin, hormonal changes, and a weakened immune system.
Treatment
Treatment for Tinea versicolor typically involves antifungal medications, which can be applied to the skin or taken orally. These medications kill the yeast and restore the normal color of the skin. However, it may take several weeks or months for the skin to fully recover.
Related Terms
- Dermatology - the branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its diseases.
- Fungal infection - an inflammatory condition caused by a fungus.
- Malassezia - a genus of fungi that is naturally found on the skin surfaces of many animals, including humans.
- Antifungal medication - a medication used to treat fungal infections.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Tinea versicolor
- Wikipedia's article - Tinea versicolor
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