What is tinea versicolor?
Many microorganisms normally live to tell the tale our skin, including a bunch of yeast species Malassezia. Yeast lives in our pores. Under certain conditions, it could change its shape from a round or oval yeast shape to a wire-like, branched shape. These branching forms are called hyphae. The yeast can migrate under the skin and produce azelaic acid, a substance that may change the quantity of pigment (pigmentation) in recent skin cells. In its hyphae form, the yeast causes a scab called tinea versicolor, also often called pityriasis versicolor.
Taenia versicolor is common all year long within the tropics and subtropics and is seen in additional temperate climates in the course of the summer months. Sunlight, using oils on the skin, naturally oily skin, and sweating are all suspects that could cause the round or oval yeast to rework into its hyphae form, leading to pimples. This rash can spread between individuals who have skin-to-skin contact.
Tinea versicolor is more common in teenagers and young adults and appears on the back, neck, upper chest, shoulders, armpits, and upper arms. Most individuals who get this rash are in good health. However, tinnitus is more prone to develop in case your immune system is suppressed, for instance, for those who are taking corticosteroid medications resembling prednisone for an additional health problem. It can be more common in women who’re taking contraception pills and in pregnant women.
Symptoms of tinea versicolor
Skin rash consists of scattered pink, tan, brown or white spots on the skin. Each person often has just one color. These screws are often flat, without texture, but they’ll slip. They may be small round spots or areas that start small then get larger and merge with other areas. Scabies may be itchy, especially when an individual is hot or sweaty.
Skin spots could also be more obvious after sun exposure, as these areas don’t tan evenly.
Diagnosis of tinea versicolor
Your doctor can examine the skin scraping under a microscope to see if yeast is present. Your doctor may additionally shine a black light (ultraviolet light) on the rash to assist confirm the diagnosis. Yeast species within the Malassezia group can glow yellow-green under light.
The expected duration of tinea versicolor
Your doctor can examine the skin scraping under a microscope to see if yeast is present. Your doctor may additionally shine a black light (ultraviolet light) on the rash to assist confirm the diagnosis. Yeast species within the Malassezia group can glow yellow-green under light.
Preventing tinea versicolor
Since rashes occur more easily in hot, humid conditions, keep your skin dry and funky while you're on this weather. Tinea versicolor can spread through skin-to-skin contact or through contact with contaminated items resembling towels, clothing or bedding.
The tinea versicolor rash continues to return back in 40 percent to 60 percent of individuals. If you've had a couple of episode of tinea versicolor, treat the skin every two weeks with a shampoo that kills the yeast (resembling an anti-dandruff shampoo that accommodates selenium sulfide) to forestall the rash from recurring. I may help. This may be especially helpful before traveling to tropical climates or in the course of the warmer months. Another option is to take an antifungal medication by mouth to forestall the rash from coming back.
Treatment of tinea versicolor
In most cases, topical treatments needs to be tried first. Treatments include lotions or anti-dandruff shampoos containing selenium sulfide (Celsan), zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole shampoo (Nizoral), terbinafine spray (Lamisil), and antifungal creams. Topical treatments are used a few times every day. Treatment may last for days or perhaps weeks, depending on how the rash responds.
Short courses of oral medications, resembling itraconazole [Sporanox] or fluconazole [Diflucan]), are also effective. Oral medications are often reserved for individuals with severe pimples and those that have failed topical therapy.
For as much as six months after your original treatment, you could be advised to periodically apply topical treatments or take a number of doses of an oral antifungal medication to assist keep the rash from coming back.
When to Call a Professional
If you could have a skin rash that you’re thinking that could also be tinea versicolor, you must make an appointment together with your doctor to have the rash evaluated.
Assessment
There are not any serious complications from tinea versicolor. In most individuals, the rash goes away with treatment. However, it takes several months for the skin to return to its normal shape. The rash may return after treatment in some individuals who don’t use periodic antifungal treatments to regulate the rash.
Additional information
American Academy of Dermatology
https://www.aad.org/