TINEA VERSICOLOR

TINEA VERSICOLOR

Overview and Facts

The fungus Malassezia is a type of yeast that can be found on the area of the skin. It doesn’t cause any health problems. Many microscopic organisms, such as yeasts, live on your skin in a broader community to help protect you from infections and other pathogenic diseases that can harm the body. They live on your body cells with other organisms that benefit and support each other. Tinea versicolor happens when the fungus Malassezia grows faster on an area of the skin. Doctors also don’t know why this is happening. Some of the factors that may help enhance the growth of the yeast on the skin may include:

  • Hot  weather
  • Excessive sweating
  • Oily and wet skin
  • Weak immune system
  • Hormone changes

Tinea versicolor can happen in people of any background, and it’s common in adults and young adults. Adults are prone to have tinea versicolor if they visit a place with a warmer climate.

Types and Symptoms

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of tinea versicolor include discolored patches of skin. It is the most known symptom of tinea versicolor, and these usually happen on the arms, neck, chest, or back. These patches can be

  • lighter or darker than the healthy skin
  • red, tan, pink or brown in color
  • itchy and dry
  • May disappear in colder weather

Tinea versicolor occurs in people with darker skin and may make them lose skin color, which is called hypopigmentation. Symptoms may vary per person, and some may have darker skin as a result. This condition is called hyperpigmentation. Other individuals who have tinea versicolor don’t have any significant symptoms or changes in their skin color. You may also experience itchy skin and changes in appearance.

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

You should see a doctor to see if you have any symptoms of the said condition. If there are symptoms that are related to tinea versicolor, your doctor will examine you to determine the underlying cause of the problem. See your doctor if you have colored patches on your skin. Your doctor will examine your skin and will tell you if you have this through the symptoms that you may have.

The doctor may perform scraping of your skin. Scraping eliminates and tests cells from your skin. The cells that are scraped are viewed on a microscope to see if they have yeast that causes the problems. Your doctor might also request for a biopsy sample of the skin that is affected.

TREATMENT

If the symptoms are not severe, you may be treated at home. Antifungal creams are one of the treatments that can be effective in eliminating the infection. If you are diagnosed with tinea versicolor, treatment may be long term. Keeping away from hot places will help in preventing the condition.

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