How do I get my skin color back after tinea versicolor?
Treatment of tinea versicolor for people with skin of color typically involves using topical antifungal agents. Clearance of the disease can be achieved but recurrence is common. There is no permanent scarring or skin color changes, though the change in skin color can take 3-4 months or more to improve.
Can you tan after tinea versicolor?
On tanned skin the tinea versicolor patches are lighter, since tanning does not occur in the rash areas. The failure to tan is temporary; the skin tans normally after the rash has cleared up. Tinea versicolor is not contagious.
Does pigment come back after tinea versicolor?
It causes patches on the skin that are lighter or darker than your normal skin color. The patches most often occur on the chest or back. They also stop the skin from tanning evenly and often appear as lighter spots on tan skin. After treatment, it might take several months for your skin color to return to normal.
How long does it take for tinea versicolor discoloration to go away?
How long does tinea versicolor take to go away? The duration of tinea versicolor varies from person to person. On average, treatment takes about one to four weeks. But in some cases, it can take weeks or months for skin color to return to normal.
Why does my skin get white spots when I tan?
Sometimes the white spots are merely scars that have become more visible after tanning. These areas of the skin have lost their pigmentation due to damage to the tissue. When tanning, the scars stand out from the darker skin around them.
How do you know if tinea versicolor is healing?
Even after the infection has gone away, the spots may be visible as lighter (hypopigmented) patches on the skin that may not get their normal color back for many months. These hypopigmented spots do not tan normally. The hypopigmented areas are more obvious in darker-skinned people.
Can tinea versicolor change color?
Tinea versicolor produces color variations in the skin; dark spots or red on light skin or patches of lightness on dark skin – “versicolor” means color variations.
Should you exfoliate tinea versicolor?
Cleansing twice daily and immediately after perspiring with an exfoliant like a mandelic acid wash or sulfur soap (both of which are anti-fungal ingredients) and a net sponge to exfoliate the uppermost fungus-infected epidermal cells.Jan 30, 2010
Can tinea versicolor live on clothes?
Some doctors believe that fungi that remain in clothing may cause the infection to return. Normal washing and cleaning is usually effective in removing the fungus from clothes. But for persistent tinea versicolor, you may need to dry-clean your clothes or wash them in the hottest possible water.
Can tinea versicolor spread to your face?
Symptoms of tinea versicolor include small, flat, round or oval spots that may, over time, form patches. The spots occur on oily areas of skin on the upper chest, back, or upper arms or, less often, on the upper thighs, neck, or face.
Why is my tinea versicolor getting worse?
It's caused by an overgrowth of a type of yeast (fungus) that's naturally found on your skin. Hot weather, humidity and sun exposure can make tinea versicolor worse.Apr 13, 2022
What is the fastest way to get rid of tinea versicolor?
Body washing with dandruff shampoos containing selenium sulfide (Selsun Blue), pyrithione zinc (Head & Shoulders, Soothe), and ketoconazole (Nizoral) may help the tinea versicolor clear faster and stay away longer. In the past, some have recommended application of shampoos for overnight use.
How long does it take for antifungal cream to work on tinea versicolor?
Antifungal cream is used to treat tinea versicolor. You may need to use this cream for up to 4 weeks to treat your symptoms. You may also need to use a special shampoo on your skin.
How to prevent tinea versicolor?
Manage or prevent tinea versicolor: Tinea versicolor usually comes back, especially in hot and humid times of the year. You can manage the symptoms and help prevent it. Keep your skin clean and dry. Dry your skin completely after you bathe and play sports.
What is the infection that leaves a dark spot on your skin?
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Tinea versicolor is an infection that leaves colored spots on your skin. Tinea versicolor is caused by a fungus that is normally present on your skin. This infection is not harmful.
What to use for tinea versicolor?
For a mild case of tinea versicolor, you can apply an over-the-counter antifungal lotion, cream, ointment or shampoo. Most fungal infections respond well to these topical agents, which include: When using creams, ointments or lotions, wash and dry the affected area.
How long does it take for a shampoo to work?
Then apply a thin layer of the product once or twice a day for at least two weeks. If you're using shampoo, rinse it off after waiting five to 10 minutes. If you don't see an improvement after four weeks, see your doctor. You may need a stronger medication.
How to prevent tinea versicolor?
avoiding excessive heat. avoiding tanning or excessive sun exposure. avoiding excessive sweating. You can also help prevent tinea versicolor by using a prescription-strength skin treatment during times of the year when you’re most susceptible to it.
What are the symptoms of tinea versicolor?
Discolored patches of skin are the most noticeable symptom of tinea versicolor, and these patches usually show up on the arms, chest, neck, or back. These patches may be: lighter (more common) or darker than the surrounding skin. pink, red, tan, or brown. dry, itchy, and scaly.
Why does Tinea versicolor occur?
Tinea versicolor occurs when Malassezia grows rapidly on the surface of the skin. Doctors aren’t sure why this happens. Some factors may promote the growth of this yeast on the skin, including: Tinea versicolor can occur in people from all ethnic backgrounds, and it’s more common in adolescents and young adults.
Where does vitiligo appear?
Vitiligo usually appears on the fingers, wrists, armpits, mouth, eyes, or groin. Vitiligo often forms patches that are symmetrical. The rash caused by pityriasis rosea is also similar to tinea versicolor, but this rash is usually preceded by a “herald patch,” a lone red patch of scaly skin that appears a few days or weeks before the rash. ...
What is it called when you have itchy skin?
This condition is known as hyperpigmentation. Some individuals who develop tinea versicolor don’t have any significant changes in their skin color or appearance. In addition to changes in the color of your skin, you may also experience itchy skin.
What is the best medication for tinea versicolor?
Examples include: ciclopirox (Loprox, Penlac) ketoconazole (Extina, Nizoral) Your doctor may also prescribe pills to treat tinea versicolor, including: fluconazole (Diflucan)
What is a skin scraping?
A skin scraping removes cells from your skin for testing by scraping the skin gently. The cells are viewed under a microscope to see if they contain the yeast that causes this condition.
How to get rid of tinea versicolor?
There are several different treatment approaches for getting rid of the tinea versicolor rash. Because the yeast inhabits the top layer of the skin, the epidermis, topical anti-fungal medications tend to be very effective, at least early on or during the first occurrence of the infection. 1
What is the best treatment for tinea versicolor?
Topical antifungal medications are the treatment of choice for tinea versicolor. A number of topical anti-fungal treatment regimens have been shown to produce a greater than 70% clinical response rate. This includes prescribing patients 2% Nizoral (ketoconazole) cream or foam to be applied once daily for 14 days. 3
What is the rash on the face called?
Tinea versicolor is a common fungal skin infection which produces a characteristic rash. It is also known as pityriasis versicolor and is frequently confused with other skin rashes. While the rash is most common during adolescence and early adulthood, it can occur at any age. 1
Can antifungal medication cause liver damage?
Oral Antifungals. Oral anti-fungal medications can cause side effects such as nausea or reversible liver damage, but these side effects are uncommon with the short courses of therapy used for tinea versicolor.
Can you use dandruff shampoo on tinea versicolor?
Until recently, dandruff shampoos were the mainstay of treatment for tinea versicolor. They are less effective than the anti-fungal medications and can cause skin irritation, but they are available over-the-counter and are less expensive.
Is tinea versicolor contagious?
Since tinea versicolor is related to the overgrowth of normal (and even protective) fungi on the skin, it is not contagious. 3 A skin scraping and stain can reveal the characteristic yeast under the microscope (which appears like spaghetti and meatballs). 3 .
Dormancy
Tinea versicolor is also known as haole rot 1. It is a skin infection that occurs in an estimated 8 percent of the population. It is caused by the yeast Malassezia globosa. This yeast lives on the skin of human beings and animals under normal conditions and is kept in check by the body's cells and immune system.
Overgrowth
The yeast only becomes an issue under certain conditions. A hot, wet, humid environment encourages their growth, meaning those who live in tropical and sub-tropical climates are at greater risk for tinea versicolor, as are those who don't bath regularly 1.
Reaction
Tinea versicolor is characterized by a profusion of irregular or oval-shaped spots roughly one-quarter inch in diameter across the chest or back 1. They are usually pink or reddish-brown in color and not raised from the skin. Itching generally occurs only when the skin becomes dry or overheated, while sweat and warm water can sooth the sensation.
Diagnosis
- Your doctor can diagnose tinea versicolor by looking at it. If there's any doubt, he or she may take skin scrapings from the infected area and view them under a microscope.
Treatment
- If tinea versicolor is severe or doesn't respond to over-the-counter antifungal medicine, you may need a prescription-strength medication. Some of these medications are topical preparations that you rub on your skin. Others are drugs that you swallow. Examples include: 1. Ketoconazole (Ketoconazole, Nizoral, others) cream, gel or shampoo 2. Ciclopirox (Loprox, Penlac) cream, gel …
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- For a mild case of tinea versicolor, you can apply an over-the-counter antifungal lotion, cream, ointment or shampoo. Most fungal infections respond well to these topical agents, which include: 1. Clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF) cream or lotion 2. Miconazole (Micaderm) cream 3. Selenium sulfide (Selsun Blue) 1 percent lotion 4. Terbinafine (Lamisil AT) cream or gel 5. Zinc pyrithione soap W…
Preparing For Your Appointment
- You're likely to start by first seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. He or she may treat you or refer you to a specialist in skin disorders (dermatologist).