skin health

Symptoms Tinea versicolor

Related articles: Tinea versicolor

Definition

Tinea versicolor is a fungal skin infection. The microorganisms responsible ( Malassezia furfur ) are normally present on the surface of the skin, but in some susceptible individuals they cause disease.

When the skin sweats or you wear little breathable garments, in fact, the fungus multiplies over and over and causes damage. Therefore, risk factors for tinea versicolor include heat, humidity, increased sebaceous secretions, insufficient personal hygiene and immunosuppression due to corticosteroids, pregnancy, malnutrition, diabetes and other diseases.

Most common symptoms and signs *

  • Skin discoloration
  • Erythema
  • macules
  • itch
  • Scales on the skin

Further indications

The tinea versicolor manifests itself with the appearance of small irregular, flat and desquamated skin spots. Characteristic of the disease is the alteration of skin pigmentation (dyschromia); depending on the case, the lesions may be hypo- or hyperpigmented, with a color varying from white to brown. The colonized skin areas, in fact, if exposed to the sun block the passage of ultraviolet rays which, in normal conditions, stimulate the production of melanin. The spots preferably appear on the neck, trunk, abdomen, arms and face; furthermore, they can flow together into a larger patch.

Generally, tinea versicolor does not cause other symptoms; only in some cases the rash can cause a slight itching.

For the diagnosis, the doctor is based on the clinical aspect of the lesions and on the examination of skin scarifications.

The treatment of pityriasis versicolor involves the use of topical and sometimes oral antifungal drugs (for example, in the case of extensive disease or frequent relapses). To avoid relapses, careful hygiene is important and clothing made of natural fabrics (not synthetic) should be chosen.