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Tinea Versicolor: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
July 27, 2008

This article discusses the condition of tinea versicolor. Treatment options are covered and what to expect after treatment is complete.

A common unsightly condition that isn't permanent or serious is tinea versicolor. The condition is associated with spots that can be either light- or reddish- brown or may even be lighter than the surrounding skin which is how the name "versicolor" can about. There may only be a few spots, but sometimes there can be enough spots that they appear to run together or worse yet, that patches of normal skin color are the islands caused by tinea versicolor instead of the opposite. There are few symptoms of the condition, but some will suffer itching, especially when they perspire. The condition becomes worse the warmer the outside conditions become so it is best that you avoid such things as tanning salons and saunas.

What Is The Cause of Tinea Versicolor?

A yeast like structure called pityrosporum orbiculare and malassezia furfur causes tinea versicolor. The structure prefers fat and as a result it is commonly found on areas of the body where there are a lot of oil glands such as the chest, back and shoulders. Occasionally a few stray spots may appear on the arms, legs or groin. Instances of tinea versicolor occurring on the face are very rare.

Pityrosporum orbiculare is a normal component of skin, but it is helped to grow at a rapid pace because of humidity and sweat in some people which causes a visible rash. It is not a contagious condition and usually appears in warm weather or becomes noticeable only when clothing is worn that shows more parts of the body. The affected areas of the skin will also become more highly visible when the sun tans the rest of the skin.

Are There Other Conditions That Resemble Tinea Versicolor?

A type of eczema found in young people is pityriasis alba. A lightening of the skin on the face, shoulders or torso in very mild patches is the result. A permanent loss of pigment in the skin is caused by vitiligo. Most often this condition occurs around the eyes, lips, knuckles and joints which is categorized by porcelain white spots that are permanent in nature.

What is the Treatment for Tinea Versicolor?

For the treatment of tinea versicolor there are many effective over the counter antifungal treatments such as clotrimazole, miconazole and selenium sulfide shampoo which is the ingredient found in Selsum Blue. It is important to read the labels carefully since many different over the counter medications contain these medications. These solutions can also become difficult to apply with large infected areas so it is easy to miss spots. This is why it may be easier to use oral medications like a one-time dose of Nizoral or five daily doses of Sporanox which are prescriptions that can be recommended by your doctor.

What Can Be Expected After the Tinea Versicolor Has Been Treated?

The rash associated with tinea versicolor may persist for months despite successful treatment which may lead people to believe that the treatment wasn't successful. Even if the fungi is dead, light or white spots will remain for months since they must blend in with the surrounding skin. A red or brown type spot will clear up almost immediately which is why treatment should be resumed whenever new spots appear. This assures that the discoloration only lasts for a short time. Those who have a tendency to reinfect should avoid activities that cause a lot of sweating in order to lessen a yearly reoccurrence of the condition. Of course this isn't a guarantee and individuals can't completely prevent the possibility of sweating, but it can perhaps help with lessening the possibility of recurring incidences.

Fungus is carried in all our bodies and there is no way to successfully prevent it from occurring. The rash will reoccur over a few years in some people so that a preventive treatment with the same medication originally used for treatment may be necessary. After the onset of middle age this condition rarely appears so there will be a time when individuals are no longer afflicted by tinea versicolor.

Since it is inevitable that the rash will reoccur successful treatment is no indication that a rash won't reappear. Some people won't suffer attacks each year and as a person becomes older the frequency of occurrences tend to decline.

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