WhileMalassezianormally resides on the skin, causing no harm, it can overgrow and establish an infection.
Harder-to-treat cases may require oral antifungals.
It also explains how to prevent tinea versicolor and when it is time to see a healthcare provider.
Raimo Suhonen / DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND
Raimo Suhonen / DermNet / CC BY-NC-ND
What Causes Tinea Versicolor?
However, when the balance is disrupted,Malasseziacan overgrow and cause an outbreak of superficial skin lesions.
Several genetic mutations associated with tinea versicolor have already been identified.
Is Tinea Versicolor Due to Poor Hygiene?
What Are the Symptoms of Tinea Versicolor?
Tinea versicolor is painless and often involves no other symptoms than the characteristic discolored lesions.
Similar Conditions
Some other conditions have similar symptoms to tinea versicolor.
To ensure the correct diagnosis and treatment, medical examination and testing may be needed.
Examples include:
How Is Tinea Versicolor Diagnosed?
The tests are best conducted by a skin specialist known as adermatologist.
Can You Treat Tinea Versicolor At Home?
Malassezia is a hardy fungus that tends to persist once an infection has been established.
Tinea versicolor may improve in cooler or drier weather but usually does not go away on its own.
MildMalasseziainfections can often be treated at home.
Many of the same over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal drugs used to treatringwormorathlete’s footalso work for tinea versicolor.
OTC antifungal options include:
The effectiveness of these medications can vary.
If there is skin dryness, scaling, or itching, apply a lightemollient moisturizerafter bathing or showering.
Itching can also be reduced if you avoid overheating the body.
How Is Tinea Versicolor Treated With Prescriptions?
If OTC remedies fail to provide relief, you may need to seek treatment from a dermatologist.
How Long Does It Take Your Skin to Return to Normal?
Even after successful treatment, the uneven skin discoloration can persist for weeks and even months.
In hot, humid climates, tinea versicolor can often recur during the summer months.
How Can You Prevent Tinea Versicolor?
You should contact your healthcare provider or see a dermatologist if:
Can Tinea Versicolor Kill You?
Tinea versicolor cannot kill you.
Though tinea versicolor is harmless and noncontagious, it can cause significant distress if not treated appropriately.
Symptoms include dry, circular patches of skin that meld into larger areas of discoloration.
The patches mainly develop where there are lots of sweat glands.
The mainstay of treatment is topical antifungals and occasionally oral antifungals.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Candidiasis.
