Tinea Versicolor

Tinea versicolor is a skin condition that appears as light colored or sometimes red, scaly patches on the chest, back, arms, neck, and sometimes even face.  Tinea versicolor is caused by overgrowth of a yeast normally found on the skin (Malassezia).  The yeast is not contagious, as it normally grows on the skin.  However, during times of increased sweating or sometimes due to emotional stress, the yeast can multiply and become irritating to the immune system.  When this occurs, the areas can become itchy and red.  In addition, the yeast produces an enzyme that decreases the skin’s production of melanin, so the skin in the area often becomes lighter in color.

The treatment of tinea versicolor involves decreasing the number of yeast on the skin as well as calming the body’s reaction to the yeast.  Topical anti-yeast creams are used twice a day until the itching and scaling are improved.  In addition, anti-yeast shampoos are recommended to be used weekly as a body wash.  This will decrease the number of yeast on the body each week, and this helps prevent recurrence.  Oral medications (pills) are available for more severe or resistant cases.

The discoloration of the skin will correct itself over weeks to months as the skin recovers.  The presence of the discoloration does not mean that the yeast are still active.  It takes time for the skin to begin producing pigment normally again.