Tinea Versicolor Treatment
Tinea versicolor looks like small, scaly, white, pink or brown spots and usually occurs on the upper arms, chest, back, neck or face.
Because the fungus prevents the skin from tanning normally, the rash is usually most noticeable in the summer and on dark skin patients.
The cause of tinea versicolor is an overgrowth of yeast on the skin. This type of yeast favors the pores of oily skin and grows best in hot, humid weather. It is most common in teenagers and young adults, but can affect any age. A diagnosis of tinea versicolor is usually based on its clinical appearance. In some cases, a skin scraping will be done or a special light, called a wood’s lamp will be used to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment of tinea versicolor is usually with topical antifungal creams or, occasionally, with oral medications. Shampoos that contain selenium sulfide or pyrithione zinc may also be recommended for use on the body. It is important to remember that the yeast is easy to kill, but it can take weeks to months to regain normal skin color.