Tinea Versicolor: What is tinea versicolor?

It is an infection of the upper layers of the skin.  A yeast causes the infection and produces a rash.  Some people can have very bothersome itching with the rash.  The condition primarily affects teenagers and young adults and is rare in the elderly and in children.  Tinea versicolor produces few symptoms.  Occasionally there is slight itching that may be more intense when a person gets hot.

The most disturbing result of the fungus is that is prevents the skin from tanning normally.  As a result, as the rest of the skin tans normally, the areas where the rash is present shows up as pale spots.  This may be particularly disturbing, if the rash has spread to the neck and face.  In very light-skinned individuals, the spots may look darker.

The rash has small scaly white, pink or tan spots scattered over the upper arms, chest and back.  Although the light or dark colored spots can resemble other skin conditions, tinea versicolor is easily recognized by a dermatologist. 

It is treated with either topical or oral medications.

For more information on tinea versicolor click on the link below:
http://www.aad.org/pamphlets

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