Treatment FAQ

how long does tinea versicolor treatment take

by Mattie Homenick Jr. Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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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.

How long does it take for tinea versicolor to go away?

How long does tinea versicolor take to go away? Tinea versicolor is generally easy to treat. Your skin may stay lighter or darker for several weeks or months, but it should return to its usual color eventually. Mild cases of tinea versicolor respond well to over-the-counter treatments, but some people need stronger medication from their healthcare provider.

What are the treatments for tinea versicolor?

May 02, 2022 · How is tinea versicolor treated? Tinea versicolor is usually treated with an antifungal cream. You may need to use the cream for up to 4 weeks to treat your symptoms. You may also need to use a special shampoo on your skin. Apply the cream or shampoo as directed. It may take several weeks or months after treatment for the color of your skin to return to …

What does tinea versicolor look like on a doctor?

Nov 11, 2021 · Tinea Versicolor. Last Updated November 11, 2021. Tinea versicolor isn’t hard to treat, but it doesn’t make it easy for you to forget. Because even if the fungus has been taken care of, the discoloration on the skin might remain, almost as if the skin has been stained. “The flaky rash will resolve with treatment within a couple weeks typically,” says Dr. Kellie Reed, a board …

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What is the fastest way to cure tinea versicolor?

Tinea Versicolor Treatment
  1. Topical antifungals. You put these directly to your skin. They may be in the form of lotion, shampoo, cream, foam, or soap. ...
  2. Antifungal pills. These may be used to treat more serious or recurrent cases of tinea versicolor. Sometimes doctors use them because they clear up the infection faster.
Sep 26, 2020

How long does tinea treatment take?

Most mild cases of ringworm usually clear up in 2 to 4 weeks. But treatment might be needed for up to 3 months if the infection is more serious, or affects the nails or the scalp.

How do you know when tinea versicolor is gone?

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 be cured permanently?

In most cases, this discoloration fades away gradually after treatment is complete. Tinea versicolor doesn't cause any long-term complications or disorders.Apr 13, 2022

Can tinea versicolor spread on your body?

The most common symptom is patches on the skin that may look white, pink, or light brown. They may also look dry or scaly. The rash is usually on the neck, upper back, chest, and shoulders. It is not spread from person to person.

How long is tinea contagious?

According to the Seattle Children's Hospital, ringworm stops being contagious after 48 hours of treatment. While undergoing treatment, a person can cover the lesion to help prevent it from coming into contact with other people or objects in the environment.Nov 12, 2019

What happens if tinea versicolor is left untreated?

Untreated tinea versicolor has no grave sequelae. However, cutaneous dyschromia-hypopigmentationor hyperpigmentation-will persistwithout treatment (Figure). Dyschromia canhave social ramifications, because the degree ofdiscoloration can be striking and can affect the face aswell as the trunk in some patients.Jul 1, 2006

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.

Does tinea versicolor stay 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.

How long does fungal cream take to work?

Key facts. It usually takes 7 days for fungal infections to improve. Apply clotrimazole to the infected area 2 or 3 times a day for at least 2 weeks. The most common side effect of clotrimazole is irritation in the area where you apply the treatment.

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.

What does tinea versicolor look like?

Tinea versicolor appears as many white, pink, salmon-colored, tan, or brown patches ranging in size from 1–3 cm. The individual lesions can join together to form large patches. Most lesions have a very fine, dust-like outer skin material (scale).

What is the best treatment for tinea versicolor?

Doctors treat tinea versicolor with antifungal medications. Your doctor may recommend a topical antifungal medication, such as ketoconazole (Xolegel® or Extina®). You’ll apply this as a cream or wash to areas of your skin affected by the condition.

Can tinea versicolor recur?

Tinea versicolor is not a harmful infection and only affects the top layer of the skin. People often have more than one episode of tinea versicolor. Because the yeast grows naturally on the skin, it can recur (come back).

Is Tinea versicolor contagious?

Tinea versicolor is a fungal skin infection. It is caused by an overgrowth of yeast on the skin. Tinea versicolor is not contagious and most people recover fully after treatment. Tinea versicolor is also called pityriasis versicolor.

When is Tinea versicolor most common?

People living in tropical or subtropical regions are most at risk. It is common during summer months in temperate climates and around puberty when the oil glands of the skin are more active.

What is the cause of Tinea versicolor?

Tinea versicolor is a superficial fungal infection of the skin. It is caused by overgrowth of a yeast that is normally present on the skin. It can cause skin discoloration and, sometimes, mild itching. The infection is also known as pityriasis versicolor.

How long does it take for Tinea versicolor to heal?

Tinea versicolor is usually treated with an antifungal cream. You may need to use the cream for up to 4 weeks to treat your symptoms. You may also need to use a special shampoo on your skin. Apply the cream or shampoo as directed. It may take several weeks or months after treatment for the color of your skin to return to normal.

How to treat Tinea versicolor?

Tinea versicolor is usually treated with an antifungal cream. You may need to use the cream for up to 4 weeks to treat your symptoms. You may also need to use a special shampoo on your skin. Apply the cream or shampoo as directed.

What increases the risk of tinea versicolor?

The following increase your risk for tinea versicolor: Skin moisture from sweating or wearing tight clothes.

Can tinea versicolor be spread?

Tinea versicolor is not spread from one person to another. Fungus that is normally present on your skin overgrows and causes tinea versicolor. The following increase your risk for tinea versicolor: Skin moisture from sweating or wearing tight clothes.

Why does tinea versicolor occur?

Fungus that is normally present on your skin overgrows and causes tinea versicolor. The following increase your risk for tinea versicolor: Skin moisture from sweating or wearing tight clothes.

How to prevent anther infection?

Dry between your toes, between folds, and other areas where skin touches skin. You may also need to apply a special shampoo to your skin each month to prevent anther infection.

What to do if tinea versicolor is thick?

Anti-fungal pills: A dermatologist may prescribe these pills if the tinea versicolor covers a large area of the body, is thick, or often returns after it is treated. These pills are taken for a short time. During this time, your dermatologist will monitor you.

Can Tinea versicolor return?

To help even out your skin tone, you should protect your skin from the sun and not tan. Tinea versicolor can return. When the air outdoors is warm and humid, the yeast can quickly grow out of control.

What does a dermatologist prescribe for tinea versicolor?

What a dermatologist prescribes depends on several things. These include where the tinea versicolor appears on your body, how much skin has tinea versicolor, how thick the spots have grown, and the climate. Treatment for tinea versicolor may include the following.

What is the active ingredient in Tinea Versicolor?

The active ingredient in these medicines is often selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, or pyrithione zinc. Medicated cleansers: Tinea versicolor often returns, especially when a person lives in a place that is warm and humid.

How long does yeast stay on skin?

With treatment, the yeast is easy to kill. However, the skin may stay lighter (or darker) for weeks or months. The skin will eventually return to its normal color. To help even out your skin tone, you should protect your skin from the sun and not tan.

What is the best treatment for yeast infection?

Medicine applied to the skin: This is the most common treatment. There are anti-fungal shampoos, soaps, creams, and lotions that can keep the yeast under control. The active ingredient in these medicines is often selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, or pyrithione zinc.

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 

Does Tinea versicolor recur?

Tinea versicolor often responds readily to treatment, though recurrence is very likely as noted earlier. 4  While the spots (macules) usually resolve shortly, the changes in pigmentation may take much longer to resolve as the melanocytes need to begin producing melanin again.

What is a tinnea versicolor?

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 .

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 .

Is dandruff shampoo good for tinea versicolor?

Dandruff Shampoos. 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.

How long does sulfur salicylic acid shampoo last?

A number of regimens have been shown to be effective. 1  This includes sulfur salicylic acid shampoo applied nightly as a lotion for one week or a zinc-pyrithione shampoo regimen (applied daily as a lotion and left on for five minutes before rinsing) for two weeks.

Why do you need topical antifungal?

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 . If the rash is extensive, oral anti-fungal medications may be needed. Let's look at these different treatments individually.

How long does it take to get a doctor's answer on HealthTap?

Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. Educational text answers on HealthTap are not intended for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription. For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person). For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service.

How long does it take to get a 0/250 answer?

0/250. Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. Educational text answers on HealthTap are not intended for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription. For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person).

Can Tinea versicolor be treated?

The color changes come from areas that are or were infected and were unable to produce melanin in response to sun exposure, produced too much melanin, etc. Treatment is not always successful and may be limited at best. If treatment is successful, it can take several months for the damaged skin cells to be replaced.

Is Tinea versicolor a fungal infection?

Possibly Never: Tinea versicolor is a fungal infection of the skin. It is considered cosmetic. The color changes come from areas that are or were infected and were unable to produce melanin in response to sun exposure, produced too much melanin, etc. Treatment is not always successful and may be limited at best.

How long does it take to get a 0/250 answer?

0/250. Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. Educational text answers on HealthTap are not intended for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription. For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person).

How long does it take to get a doctor's answer on HealthTap?

Doctors typically provide answers within 24 hours. Educational text answers on HealthTap are not intended for individual diagnosis, treatment or prescription. For these, please consult a doctor (virtually or in person). For potential or actual medical emergencies, immediately call 911 or your local emergency service.

Is melanin a cosmetic change?

It is considered cosmetic. The color changes come from areas that are or were infected and were unable to produce melanin in response to sun exposure, produced too much melanin, etc. Treatment is not always successful and may be limited at best.

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