Pityriasis versicolor, often called tinea versicolor, is a fungal infection that causes small patches of skin to become scaly and discolored.
Pityriasis versicolor may affect people of any age or ethnicity. In most cases it appears during childhood or young adulthood.
Although pityriasis versicolor isn’t a serious health risk, it can cause anxiety and self-consciousness about its appearance.
In this blog I will discuss how pityriasis versicolor develops and different ways to treat it.
Pityriasis versicolor is a long-term skin disorder characterized by patches of abnormal skin color that can appear anywhere on the body. It is sometimes referred to as tinea versicolor, although that term also refers to a related fungal infection of the feet (athlete’s foot). Treatment is simple and effective, but the condition may recur.
What Is Pityriasis Versicolor?
Pityriasis versicolor is a fungal infection of the skin that causes scaly discoloured patches. It is also known as tinea versicolor. The fungus responsible for pityriasis versicolor is called malassezia. It occurs naturally on the skin, but for some people it grows uncontrollably and causes an infection.
The patches caused by pityriasis versicolor can be either lighter or darker than the surrounding skin. They usually appear on the chest, back, neck and upper arms. The patches often have a sharp edge where they meet normal skin. They may look similar to freckles or sunspots, although they are more persistent and do not tan in sunlight. Pityriasis versicolor can occur at any age, but most commonly affects young adults.
There are many different types of the fungus malassezia which normally live on our skin without causing problems. However if one type of malassezia grows out of control it can lead to pityriasis versicolor.
Pityriasis versicolor is usually not serious, but can be unsightly and difficult to treat. It is not contagious and cannot be caught from another person like other types of fungal infection such
Pityriasis versicolor is a skin infection caused by the yeast Malassezia furfur. It is a fairly common condition and affects people of all ages, both male and female.
It is characterised by small discoloured patches on the skin. The patches can vary in colour from light brown to pink, red or even white. They are usually most noticeable on tanned skin.
The most common sites for the patches are:
* Upper arms and chest
* Back
* Upper back of neck
Pityriasis versicolor does not cause any symptoms on the skin, except for the discolouration of the affected areas. This yeast infection does not cause itching or discomfort and therefore treatment is only necessary for cosmetic reasons. If you do have symptoms such as itching, this may be due to a different condition.
Pityriasis versicolor is a common chronic yeast infection of the skin. The condition is also known as tinea versicolor.
The skin becomes discoloured in patches which can range from pink to brown or even white. These patches are often scaly and may be itchy, but this is not always the case.
The condition most commonly affects the upper trunk (chest and back), neck, shoulders, arms and upper thighs although it can affect any part of the body including the face.
Patches may vary in colour depending on how much sunlight they receive. They tend to be more noticeable in darker skinned people as they often do not tan as usual in the affected areas.
Pityriasis versicolor is a type of fungal infection that affects the surface of the skin. The condition is not contagious and it is often referred to as tinea versicolor. The fungus which causes this skin condition is called Malassezia furfur and it causes the skin to become scaly with irregularly shaped spots.
The colour of the spots varies between white, pink, red and brown and they are normally no more than 0.5cm in diameter. The spots can be found anywhere on the body but they are most commonly found in areas such as the shoulders, back, neck and chest. They may also be found on other areas such as the upper arms, torso and face.
Normally symptoms will appear during warmer months or after periods of excessive sweating. This is because the fungus thrives in warm and humid conditions so it will grow more quickly when these conditions are present. Pityriasis versicolor can affect anyone but it is more common in people with oily skin or those with weakened immune systems such as those who suffer from HIV or AIDs.
Pityriasis Versicolor is a common skin yeast infection which causes discoloured patches of skin. It affects about 1 in 10 people. Pityriasis Versicolor is more common in young adults, and especially in hot, humid climates.
The condition is caused by an overgrowth of the yeast Malassezia furfur (also called Pityrosporum ovale or Pityrosporum orbiculare). This normally lives on the skin without causing any problems. However, it can cause problems if the environment becomes favourable for its growth.
Pityriasis Versicolor is not contagious; that is you cannot catch it from another person, or give it to them.
What are the symptoms of Pityriasis Versicolor?
Pityriasis Versicolor commonly occurs on the chest and back. It usually starts as small pinkish patches which gradually become larger and change colour to a pale brown. The patches may join up to form larger areas of discolouration. The rash does not itch or cause any other symptoms, apart from some mild irritation during the summer months when sweating increases.