Tinea versicolor

Tinea versicolor, also known as tinea versicolor, is a common noncancerous skin condition caused by a yeast infection that usually lives on the skin in the right conditions, such as warm, oily, and moist skin.

Yeast can grow excessively and cause a rash that consists of brown, pink or white crusty patches. Although it is an infection, tinea versicolor is not transmitted from one person to another, as yeast is commonly found in the environment.

Causes of colored tinea

An overgrowth of yeast on the surface of the skin causes tinea versicolor. This yeast thrives in warm, moist, and oily environments, causing it to grow out of control in small colonies, which causes tinea versicolor symptoms.

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Tinea versicolor can develop in people from their teenage years and beyond, of all sexes, and of either sex; However, tinea versicolor is more commonly found in tropical regions with high humidity and high temperatures, and in temperate climates. Adolescents and young adults are most frequently affected by tinea versicolor, but it is uncommon for young children or adults over 65 years of age.

Certain conditions increase the likelihood of tinea versicolor:

• Live in a warm and humid climate.
• Having oily skin.
• Frequent or excessive sweating.
• Use of corticosteroids.
• Taking medications that weaken the immune system.
• hormonal changes;

Signs and symptoms of tinea versicolor

The most common sites of tinea versicolor include:

• chest and upper back.
• The arms.
• The abdomen.
• The neck.
• Thighs.

Tinea versicolor appears as white, pink, tan or brown patches, 1 to 3 cm in size. Individual lesions can combine together to form large patches. Most lesions have a very smooth, flaky surface (scales).

The yeast that causes this condition produces a substance that can temporarily bleach the underlying skin to a lighter color. Even after the infection has cleared, the spots may appear as lighter patches on the skin that may not regain their natural color for several months. These hypopigmented patches do not tan normally, and are more It is more noticeable in people with dark skin. Even if the color does not return to normal after treatment, the peeling of the skin should have resolved.

Tinea versicolor usually causes no symptoms, although some people report slight itching, especially when they sweat.

How is tinea versicolor diagnosed?

Consult a doctor if you find strangely colored marks on the skin that do not respond to treatment at home. Your doctor will examine your skin and may be able to check if you have tinea versicolor by looking at the spots.

If the diagnosis by looking at the skin is difficult, your doctor may order a skin scraping, in which he will take cells from your skin for examination. The cells are then examined under a microscope to see if they contain the yeast that causes this condition. Your doctor can also perform a potassium hydroxide microscopy. In this procedure, your doctor takes a sample of your skin, places it on a microscope slide with a 20 percent potassium hydroxide solution, and looks for yeast under a microscope.

The doctor may also take a skin sample, or a tissue sample from the affected skin, and examine the fungi on the outer layer of the skin. A sample of the fungi on the skin can also be examined using a fungal culture. To check if you have this condition.

Your doctor may also use a Wood's lamp to look at your skin. This special machine, which uses ultraviolet light, is located 4 to 5 inches from the skin. If yeast is present, the affected skin under the light will appear yellow, or green.

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How to permanently treat colored tinea

Once the diagnosis of tinea versicolor is confirmed, your doctor may recommend the following treatments:

• Selenium sulfide wash, or shampoo, which can be used as a wash and then rinsed out.
• Zinc pyrithione shampoo to use as a rinse and rinse.
• Antifungal cream or lotion, such as ketoconazole, econazole, oxyconazole or ciclopirox.
• Antifungal tablets, such as ketoconazole, fluconazole, or itraconazole.

Recurrence of infection after treatment is common; Because some people are more susceptible than others to infection, your doctor may recommend a preventative treatment for use during the warmer, humid months, consisting of an antifungal cream, lotion or shampoo, applied every week or two.

If you have been treated for tinea versicolor, avoid wearing tight and restrictive clothing. Also, exposure to the sun can make light-colored areas more visible, so avoid exposure to the sun, or apply sunscreen until the spots return to their natural color.

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How long does the healing process for tinea versicolor take?

If the diagnosis of tinea versicolor is confirmed, treatment will show results over a long period of time. However, even after the infection clears up, skin discoloration may occur for several weeks or months after treatment. You may also become infected again if the weather is warmer and wetter. If your condition returns, your doctor may prescribe medication once or twice a month to prevent symptoms.

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Ways to prevent tinea versicolor

Tinea discoloration can return after treatment. To reduce the chances of recurrence, your doctor may recommend a topical or oral treatment once a month or more. Your doctor may also suggest using a medicated cleanser once or twice a month, especially if you live in a warm, humid place, to prevent the infection from multiplying again.

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What are the complications of Tinea colored?

Tinea versicolor does not cause any serious complications. But the skin may change color, become scaly and itchy, and it may take months for the skin color to return to normal.

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If discolored spots appear on the body, you may have tinea versicolor, so we recommend that you contact the Freshness Center for Dermatology, Laser and Cosmetic in Hurghada to book an appointment with the best dermatologist in Hurghada - Dr. Amani Al Tawabti.