Tinea Versicolor

Alternate Names
pityriasis versicolor

Definition of Tinea Versicolor

Tinea versicolor is a skin disorder caused by an overgrowth of a fungus that lives normally on the skin. It shows up as scaling and bumps primarily on the chest, shoulders, and back. It can make dark skin appear lighter and light skin appear brownish.

What is going on in the body?

Tinea versicolor occurs when a fungus called Malassezia furfur, that lives normally on the skin, starts to multiply rapidly. The overgrowth of the fungus causes skin that is uneven in color, along with a buildup of scaly patches.

What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?

Tinea versicolor causes scaly patches of skin that range in color from white to pink to dark brown. The patches are generally seen on the upper arms, back, shoulders, chest, and neck. The patches may or may not itch, but typically tinea versicolor produces few symptoms.

When the person gets overheated, the patches are more likely to itch. The fungus on the skin interferes with normal pigmentation. Dark skin may look lighter, and light skin may turn darker. When exposed to sunlight, the patches of tinea versicolor do not tan as well as the surrounding normal skin.

What are the causes and risks of the condition?

Tinea versicolor is caused by an overgrowth of a fungus that grows normally on people's skin. No one knows why the overgrowth occurs in some people and not in others.

Risk factors that increase a person's chance of developing tinea versicolor include:

• being an adolescent or young adult. The condition is rare in children and elderly individuals.
• living in a warm, moist climate
• summer months, when the temperature and humidity are elevated

What can be done to prevent the condition?

Good hygiene, including regular bathing with a mild soap and drying the skin well with a towel, can minimize tinea versicolor. Once the condition has been diagnosed, the individual can use antifungal soaps and other products as prescribed by the healthcare professional.

How is the condition diagnosed?

The diagnosis of tinea versicolor begins with the history and physical examination. A special light can be used, which will show a yellow-green color on the skin patches that have fungal overgrowth. The healthcare professional may also perform a skin scraping to identify the organism causing the disorder.

What are the long-term effects of the condition?

Tinea versicolor has no significant long-term effects.

What are the risks to others?

Tinea versicolor can be spread by sexual contact or through contaminated towels and other objects.

What are the treatments for the condition?

Treatments for tinea versicolor include:

• topical antifungal agents such as azole antifungal creams
• shampoos such as miconazole, clotriamazole, or ketoconazole
• oral medications, such as ketoconazole

What are the side effects of the treatments?

On rare occasions, oral ketoconazole may cause liver inflammation or a skin rash. There can also be a risk of medication interactions with ketoconazole use.

What happens after treatment for the condition?

After treatment, skin should clear up. It may take a few weeks or even months for the skin areas to return to their natural color. However, the versicolor may recur.

How is the condition monitored?

Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare professional.